Egypt was the first country in the Middle East to experience the full impact of Westernization and the accompanying clash of ideologies. In the 1990s, few adhere to the notion that secular and Western-oriented regimes have advanced the case for women there. This study is the first to examine the feminist issue in the context of Egypt’s democratic crisis, faltering economy, and deteriorating sectarian relations. Using Arabic sources, Ghada Talhami pursues an authentic, indigenous analysis and produces a cultural study bridging politics, religion, anthropology, and sociology.
Offers a persuasive argument for applying anthropological concepts to foster human capabilities. . . . A clearly presented vision of critical cultural heritage studies in theory and practice.’—Choice
Ghada Hashem Talhami is D. K. Pearsons Professor of Politics and chair of international relations at Lake Forest College, Illinois, and author of Suakin and Massawa under Egyptian Rule, 1865-1885 and Palestine and Egyptian National Identity.
