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This dissertation examines the politics of representation within the novel of the Third World. Drawing on the scholarship of Edward Said, Gayatri Spivak, Homi Bhabha, and Fredric Jameson, I situate Salman Rushdie and Orhan Pamuk within literary attempts at national representation and narratives of westernization. The main question that the study raises is: what are the literary results of migration, cultural or religious conversion within the increasingly diversifying metropolitan centers? I find that such double consciousness of the migrant artist provides an exilic writing that instigates two types of perspectives: satirical and melancholic. I argue that both authors narrativize a similar process of confronting the western cultural legacy, but differ in their reflection on their national and Islamic backgrounds.

This thesis is a study of the creation and evolution of the presidential institution in post- Khomeini Iran. It argues that the two decades under consideration have witnessed a continuous struggle, by successive presidents, for the recognition of their constitutional authority and its augmentation, which were considered by all presidents as a necessary step towards the fulfilment of their initial aspirations. The lack of success of all the presidents in achieving the latter objective, and the constant undermining of successive incumbents by other political actors, are explained in order to highlight the unique nature of the presidency in contemporary Iran. This falls short of being fully described by concepts and frameworks derived from elements of political theory relevant to classical Western definitions and notions regarding state institutions. This study specifically focuses upon the accession and tenure of three successive presidents, Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, Mohammad Khatami and Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. It initially provides a broad historical overview of the relevant state institutions in the pre-revolutionary period, with a view to understanding their development structurally and thematically. The emergence of the unique post- revolutionary executive branch and political elite of the state during the first decade of existence of the Islamic Republic, with all their implications, are then discussed. Subsequently, the aforementioned presidents’ relationship with their surrounding political environment is explored with the purpose of explaining their modus operandi, their understanding of the presidency as an institution, and their decision-making at critical junctures within the contemporary context. The discussion also details their ties with the rest of the Islamic Republic’s political elite. The thesis is the second book-length analysis of a state institution of the Islamic Republic to emerge within the English-language academic context. It therefore seeks to augment the existing literature on both the structure of the contemporary Iranian state and the state-building processes undergone in Iran in the modern era.

Ahmad ibn Taymiyya (d.1328), is one of the most quoted medieval scholars by contemporary jihadists from the 1980s to the present time. Jihadists from ʿAbd Salām Faraj (d. 1981) to the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) cite Ibn Taymiyya frequently in justifying their doctrines. These doctrines include excommunicating contemporary Muslim rulers and their allies and calling for jihad against them, classifying the Muslim countries as a domain of war and obligating emigration from them, suicide attacks in the name of jihad, and others. This thesis studies the relationship between Ibn Taymiyya’s concept of jihad and how it is appropriated by the contemporary jihadists. The thesis is divided into two parts. Part one studies selected works of Ibn Taymiyya on jihad to outline his concept of jihad while part two studies selected works of the contemporary jihadists to outline how Ibn Taymiyya’s concept of jihad is appropriated by them. The thesis argues that while some contemporary jihadi doctrines could be justified from Ibn Taymiyya’s concept of jihad, most of the doctrines cannot be justified from Ibn Taymiyya if his works on jihad are approached holistically. The thesis identifies the jihadi doctrines that can be justified from Ibn Taymiyya and those that cannot be. The thesis also identifies some sources that the jihadists use besides Ibn Taymiyya in justifying their doctrines.

This poetry collection explores the concept of memory as a function of identity and is based on the ten years or so that I spent living and working in Islamic countries during the 1970s and 1980s. It is an attempt to create a record of a life lived in unfamiliar territories where cultural and social norms are very different from those with which I was brought up. The collection comprises four sections, each having a distinct character, attributable in part to the use of poetic forms chosen to complement specific periods and places. I experimented with haibun, haiku and prose poetry as well as free verse to achieve the desired effect. Themes of memory, place, people and social comment are woven throughout this collection to create a sense of unity within the whole. The accompanying critical essay, 'Writing Mindful of Ghosts', considers the processes involved in such a venture and refers to some of the poets whose work interests and inspires me, as well as offering information on the places and times that informed the poems.

Magister Artium - MA / This study is a descriptive study and describes the effects of religious beliefs and stigma toward people living with HIV/AIDS. The religions looked at were Islam, Christianity and Hinduism and it was conducted in the community of Cravenby, situated in Cape Town. Its objectives were to investigate; how religion affected people’s attitudes to HIV/AIDS within Cravenby; to investigate how religious beliefs may lead to stigma; does religion allow an individual to disclose his or her HIV status if they are HIV positive; how religion may affect one’s sexual behaviour and how much is known about HIV by people living in Cravenby. The study employed qualitative research methods and the method of data collection was implemented through the use of in depth interviews with community residents. Content analysis was used to analyse the data, with findings showing that those living with HIV/AIDS deserved to be treated with respect and empathy. Respondent's knowledge and awareness of HIV/AIDS was very good and showed that few people have not heard about HIV/AIDS. Stigma is defined as an attribute that is significantly discrediting and is used to set an affected person or group apart from a normalized social order and the use of such separation implies devaluation. Religiously based stigma towards those living with HIV/AIDS arose from people’s personal beliefs and justification because they did not adhere to religious teachings and injunctions. Respondents saw religion as serving to promote cleanliness, marital harmony and respecting one's self and towards others. Biographical disruption implies that a person’s stock of knowledge of their selves and social world are disrupted by the experience of illness and suggests that explanatory frameworks normally used to understand daily life are disrupted. The study recommends having a joint forum which is attended by Muslims, Christians and Hindus discussing HIV/AIDS would help to address incorrect and or incomplete knowledge and beliefs around HIV/AIDS in the community.

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Most of the existing researches on martyrdom are based on single factor analysis and ignore the fact that this phenomenon is a result of individual psychology and the influence of the environment. That is why most of the researchers aim for multi level approach of the analysis. Only few of them though worked out this approach into a formal model. Although most of the researchers agree that the three level analysis approach is neccessary, most of the researches are based on two level analysis approach. Three level analysis approach was first introduced by Kenneth Waltz (1988) in his research on the causes of war more than fifty years ago. In Waltz model the most fundamental parts neccessary to understand internatinal affairs are individual, state and the state environment. If this is transformed into the matter of terrorist groups we get a three level model of Assaf Moghadam which is based on Waltz's model. In Moghadam's model a state is replaced by a relevant organization and the last level of Waltz's model is replaced by the structural level. Presented thesis is based on the research of Assaf Moghadam and his three level analysis model of suicide terrorism. The main objective of the thesis is the application of Moghadam's model to the martyrdom operations of Hizbullah. Based on this analysis the conditions leading to martyrdom operations of Hizbullah are being searched as well as the level of racionality of these operations is being questioned. The individual level of analysis focuses on the motivation of individuals, the members of Hizbullah who decided to participate in martyrdom operations, deals with the role and impact of charismatic leader and tries to analyse the correlation of poverty and lack of education and martyrdom. It also examines the motivation of individuals and based on the biographic data tries to create a profile of Hizbullah martyr. The organizational/collective level explains the motivation of the organization, Hizbullah, to use martyrdom. The structure and goals of the organization as well as its regional relations and how this context might influence the use of martyrdom are being examined. It deals as well with the forms of indoctrination Hizbullah uses to attract members as well as voters. The transformation of Hizbullah from the radical zealots into a political group, member of government is being portrayed. The structural level analyses external factors derived from the environment that might play role in developing the martyrdom within Hizbullah. The thesis focuses on selected factors such as shi'ite cult of martyrdom, history of shi'a islam connected with oppression, regional history and main historical milestones etc. It shows the examples of martyrdom within the history among both religious and secular groups. Individual and organizational level are closer connected to the martyrdom operation itself than the structural level. Some of the main structural factores are being examined directly on indivual and organizational level. Those important factors are shi'te religion and the cult of martyrdom, conflict with Israel- the occupation of Southern Lebanon, role and impact of other regional powers.

This study is rooted in a theoretical interest in the development of parties that appeal mainly to primordial ties. The claims of social relationships based on tribe, race, language or religion have the capacity to rival the civil order of the state for the loyalty of its citizens, thus threatening to undermine its political authority. This phenomenon is endemic to most Asian and African states. Most previous research has argued that political competition in such contexts encourages the formation of primordially based parties whose activities threaten the integrity of these states. This study of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) of India and the Parti Islam (PAS) of Malaysia examines an alternative pattern of primordial party development. The DMK and the PAS both sought to define nationality in terms of primordial ties. The DMK's objective was to create an independent Dravidian state by redrawing India's boundaries. The PAS wanted the restoration of Malay sovereignty which involved the elevation of the Malay "community" to the position of a Malay "nation-state". In both India and Malaysia, competitive politics in a federal structure provided arenas in which diverse political forces such as the DMK and the PAS could mobilize primordial identities and make bids for power. The involvement of the DMK and the PAS in the contest for electoral support set in motion a process that led them initially to abandon their goals and then to align with the national ruling parties. Their primordial urges gave way to pragmatic accommodation in the quest for power. This study describes, compares and explains the accommodative outcome in each context. / Arts, Faculty of / Political Science, Department of / Graduate