Arab Youth as examined by the New York Times.
A New York Times correspondent in Cairo has been putting together a series on Arab youth for the American media giant. The series, called “Generation Faithful” is an eye-opening opportunity for those of us who do not qualify as Arab youth, as well as an eye opening experience for Arab youth to realize how other people view their lives.
I am copying the links to the stories here so that we can all take a look in both English and Arabic. Arabic versions are here. Feel free to discuss!
Young Saudis, Vexed and Entranced by Love’s Rules
Young people in Saudi Arabia may chafe against the rules, but they can be merciless in their condemnation of those who flout them too brazenly.
Love on Girls’ Side of the Saudi Divide
The separation between the sexes in Saudi Arabia is so extreme that it is difficult to overstate.
Violence Leaves Young Iraqis Doubting Clerics
Many young people in Iraq have grown disillusioned with religious leaders and skeptical of the faith that they preach.
Stifled, Egypt’s Young Turn to Islamic Fervor
Forced to put off marriage and thwarted by a lackluster economy, many young people turn to religion for solace.
Yeah I’ve been seeing this in the local media n on the blogosphere..
someone compared it to the article’s abt the soviet’s.
can we also say it as ‘getting to knw ur enemy’?
The views expressed in the article are two dimensional at best and will only serve to reinforce the belief in the US that Islam is a backwards and benighted religion that people turn to out of mindlessness, fear and desperation. It also perpetuates the perception that either you agree with the Imams and support their radical/violent ideologies, in which case you are Muslim; or you reject their ideas out of hand, in which case you are not Muslim. The author does not state these things explicitly but the mild implications are there.
Sadly the audience of this paper will be the “intellectual” left who should know better. This is a tragic case of misdirection and will only serve to muddy the waters regarding the Muslim faith.