The World of Islam: Culture, Religion, and Politics

This is the first episode in a multiple-episode series on a musical style from North Africa that came to be a strong player on the World Music scene in the last two decades. It is called Rai. This series will consider the development of Rai music within the complex Algerian cultural and socio-political settings of the twentieth century. Throughout the series, we will listen to short musical excerpts from the repertoire of the major Rai performers. Today, we highlight the birthplace and possible origins of Rai and take a look at some precursors of this genre, including the Bedouin Malhun, the Sheikhat, the Meddahat, and al-Wahrani style. This episode includes excerpts from songs by Cheikh Hamada, Ahmed Wahby, Blaoui Houari, Cheb Khaled, and Chebba Zahouania. Sources and further reading: Daoudi, B. & Miliani H. L'aventure du Raï Drewett, M & Cloonan, M. Popular Music Censorship in Africa Plastino, G. Mediterranean Mosaic: Popular Music and Global Sounds Schade-Poulsen, M. Men and Popular Music in Algeria: The Social Significance of Raï Virolle, M. La chanson Raï : De l'Algérie profonde à la scène internationale

This is the first episode in a multiple-episode series on a musical style from North Africa that came to be a strong player on the World Music scene in the last two decades. It is called Rai. This series will consider the development of Rai music within the complex Algerian cultural and socio-political settings of the twentieth century. Throughout the series, we will listen to short musical excerpts from the repertoire of the major Rai performers. Today, we highlight the birthplace and possible origins of Rai and take a look at some precursors of this genre, including the Bedouin Malhun, the Sheikhat, the Meddahat, and al-Wahrani style. This episode includes excerpts from songs by Cheikh Hamada, Ahmed Wahby, Blaoui Houari, Cheb Khaled, and Chebba Zahouania. Sources and further reading: Daoudi, B. & Miliani H. L'aventure du Raï Drewett, M & Cloonan, M. Popular Music Censorship in Africa Plastino, G. Mediterranean Mosaic: Popular Music and Global Sounds Schade-Poulsen, M. Men and Popular Music in Algeria: The Social Significance of Raï Virolle, M. La chanson Raï : De l'Algérie profonde à la scène internationale

This episode briefly introduces the concept of prophecy, its history in the Near East (including the well-developed tradition of Biblical prophets), and the way the Qur'an positions itself vis-à-vis this history. We also discuss the terms nabi and rasul as well as the prominent figures of Abraham and Moses. Sources and Recommended Readings: The Qur'an: a Beginner's Guide   by Farid Esack Major Themes of the Qur'an   by Fazlur Rahman The Koran: a Very Short Introduction    by Michael Cook The Cambridge Companion to the Qur'an    by Jane McAuliffe (editor) The Blackwell Companion to the Qur'an    by Christopher Buck (editor) The Qur'an: a New Translation   by Tarif Khalidi The Qur'an: an Introduction   by Abdullah Saeed The Qur'an in its Historical Setting    by Gabriel Said Reynolds (editor) Approaching the Qur'an: the Early Revelations   by Michael Sells La Pensée Arabe        by Mohammed Arkoun

This episode briefly introduces the concept of prophecy, its history in the Near East (including the well-developed tradition of Biblical prophets), and the way the Qur'an positions itself vis-à-vis this history. We also discuss the terms nabi and rasul as well as the prominent figures of Abraham and Moses. Sources and Recommended Readings: The Qur'an: a Beginner's Guide   by Farid Esack Major Themes of the Qur'an   by Fazlur Rahman The Koran: a Very Short Introduction    by Michael Cook The Cambridge Companion to the Qur'an    by Jane McAuliffe (editor) The Blackwell Companion to the Qur'an    by Christopher Buck (editor) The Qur'an: a New Translation   by Tarif Khalidi The Qur'an: an Introduction   by Abdullah Saeed The Qur'an in its Historical Setting    by Gabriel Said Reynolds (editor) Approaching the Qur'an: the Early Revelations   by Michael Sells La Pensée Arabe        by Mohammed Arkoun

We continue talking about the Qur'an. We take a look at how Professor Mohammed Arkoun defined the Qur'an, at the way that most Muslims have related to the Qur'an, and at what the attributes of God in the Qur'an can tell us about its message. Sources and Recommended Readings: The Qur'an: a Beginner's Guide   by Farid Esack Major Themes of the Qur'an   by Fazlur Rahman The Koran: a Very Short Introduction    by Michael Cook The Cambridge Companion to the Qur'an    by Jane McAuliffe (editor) The Blackwell Companion to the Qur'an    by Christopher Buck (editor) The Qur'an: a New Translation   by Tarif Khalidi The Qur'an: an Introduction   by Abdullah Saeed The Qur'an in its Historical Setting    by Gabriel Said Reynolds (editor) Approaching the Qur'an: the Early Revelations   by Michael Sells La Pensée Arabe        by Mohammed Arkoun

We continue talking about the Qur'an. We take a look at how Professor Mohammed Arkoun defined the Qur'an, at the way that most Muslims have related to the Qur'an, and at what the attributes of God in the Qur'an can tell us about its message. Sources and Recommended Readings: The Qur'an: a Beginner's Guide   by Farid Esack Major Themes of the Qur'an   by Fazlur Rahman The Koran: a Very Short Introduction    by Michael Cook The Cambridge Companion to the Qur'an    by Jane McAuliffe (editor) The Blackwell Companion to the Qur'an    by Christopher Buck (editor) The Qur'an: a New Translation   by Tarif Khalidi The Qur'an: an Introduction   by Abdullah Saeed The Qur'an in its Historical Setting    by Gabriel Said Reynolds (editor) Approaching the Qur'an: the Early Revelations   by Michael Sells La Pensée Arabe        by Mohammed Arkoun

This episode of the podcast is the first part of a short introduction to the scripture of Islam known as the Qur'an (Koran). Where does the term Qur'an come from?  What is a Mus-haf? How is the Qur'an organized? What are the contents of the Qur'an? Sources and Recommended Readings: The Qur'an: a Beginner's Guide   by Farid Esack Major Themes of the Qur'an   by Fazlur Rahman The Koran: a Very Short Introduction    by Michael Cook The Cambridge Companion to the Qur'an    by Jane McAuliffe (editor) The Blackwell Companion to the Qur'an    by Christopher Buck (editor) The Qur'an: a New Translation   by Tarif Khalidi The Qur'an: an Introduction   by Abdullah Saeed The Qur'an in its Historical Setting    by Gabriel Said Reynolds (editor) Approaching the Qur'an: the Early Revelations   by Michael Sells

This episode of the podcast is the first part of a short introduction to the scripture of Islam known as the Qur'an (Koran). Where does the term Qur'an come from?  What is a Mus-haf? How is the Qur'an organized? What are the contents of the Qur'an? Sources and Recommended Readings: The Qur'an: a Beginner's Guide   by Farid Esack Major Themes of the Qur'an   by Fazlur Rahman The Koran: a Very Short Introduction    by Michael Cook The Cambridge Companion to the Qur'an    by Jane McAuliffe (editor) The Blackwell Companion to the Qur'an    by Christopher Buck (editor) The Qur'an: a New Translation   by Tarif Khalidi The Qur'an: an Introduction   by Abdullah Saeed The Qur'an in its Historical Setting    by Gabriel Said Reynolds (editor) Approaching the Qur'an: the Early Revelations   by Michael Sells

Episode 8 of the World of Islam Podcast takes a look at some seemingly controversial elements contained in the Sira literature. The elements that are briefly discussed include the so-called Satanic Verses, the marriages of Muhammad to Aisha and Zaynab, the assassination of some poets, and the fate of the Jewish tribe of Banu Qurayza in Medina.

Episode 8 of the World of Islam Podcast takes a look at some seemingly controversial elements contained in the Sira literature. The elements that are briefly discussed include the so-called Satanic Verses, the marriages of Muhammad to Aisha and Zaynab, the assassination of some poets, and the fate of the Jewish tribe of Banu Qurayza in Medina.

Episode 8 of the World of Islam Podcast takes a look at some seemingly controversial elements contained in the Sira literature. The elements that are briefly discussed include the so-called Satanic Verses, the marriages of Muhammad to Aisha and Zaynab, the assassination of some poets, and the fate of the Jewish tribe of Banu Qurayza in Medina.

Episode 7 of the podcast considers what the traditional sira literature says about Muhammad's life and career after the hijra from Mecca to Medina in 622 CE. Among the topics discussed are the military conflicts between Muhammad's followers and their Meccan enemies, the clashes with the Jewish tribes of Medina, the conquest of Mecca, and the unification of Arabia under Muhammad's leadership right before his death in 632 CE. Twitter: Follow The World of Islam Podcast on Twitter Facebook: Like The World of Islam Podcast Facebook page Sources and Recommended Readings: Muhammad: A Very Short Introduction (Very Short Introductions) by Jonathan A.C. Brown Muhammad (Past Masters) by Michael Cook Images of Muhammad: Narratives of the Prophet in Islam Across the Centuries by Tarif Khalidi The Life of Muhammad by I. Ishaq Memories of Muhammad: Why the Prophet Matters by Omid Safi The Cambridge Companion to Muhammad (Cambridge Companions to Religion) by Jonathan E. Brockopp Muhammad and the Believers: At the Origins of Islam by Fred M. Donner

Episode 7 of the podcast considers what the traditional sira literature says about Muhammad's life and career after the hijra from Mecca to Medina in 622 CE. Among the topics discussed are the military conflicts between Muhammad's followers and their Meccan enemies, the clashes with the Jewish tribes of Medina, the conquest of Mecca, and the unification of Arabia under Muhammad's leadership right before his death in 632 CE. Twitter: Follow The World of Islam Podcast on Twitter Facebook: Like The World of Islam Podcast Facebook page Sources and Recommended Readings: Muhammad: A Very Short Introduction (Very Short Introductions) by Jonathan A.C. Brown Muhammad (Past Masters) by Michael Cook Images of Muhammad: Narratives of the Prophet in Islam Across the Centuries by Tarif Khalidi The Life of Muhammad by I. Ishaq Memories of Muhammad: Why the Prophet Matters by Omid Safi The Cambridge Companion to Muhammad (Cambridge Companions to Religion) by Jonathan E. Brockopp Muhammad and the Believers: At the Origins of Islam by Fred M. Donner

This episode of the podcast presents a summary of what the traditional sira tells us about Muhammad's life in Mecca, including his early life, the start of his mission as a prophet, and the difficulties he encounters in this environment. Twitter: Follow The World of Islam Podcast on Twitter Facebook: Like The World of Islam Podcast Facebook page Sources and Recommended Readings: Muhammad: A Very Short Introduction (Very Short Introductions) by Jonathan A.C. Brown Muhammad (Past Masters) by Michael Cook Images of Muhammad: Narratives of the Prophet in Islam Across the Centuries by Tarif Khalidi The Life of Muhammad by I. Ishaq Memories of Muhammad: Why the Prophet Matters by Omid Safi The Cambridge Companion to Muhammad (Cambridge Companions to Religion) by Jonathan E. Brockopp Muhammad and the Believers: At the Origins of Islam by Fred M. Donner

This episode of the podcast presents a summary of what the traditional sira tells us about Muhammad's life in Mecca, including his early life, the start of his mission as a prophet, and the difficulties he encounters in this environment. Twitter: Follow The World of Islam Podcast on Twitter Facebook: Like The World of Islam Podcast Facebook page Sources and Recommended Readings: Muhammad: A Very Short Introduction (Very Short Introductions) by Jonathan A.C. Brown Muhammad (Past Masters) by Michael Cook Images of Muhammad: Narratives of the Prophet in Islam Across the Centuries by Tarif Khalidi The Life of Muhammad by I. Ishaq Memories of Muhammad: Why the Prophet Matters by Omid Safi The Cambridge Companion to Muhammad (Cambridge Companions to Religion) by Jonathan E. Brockopp Muhammad and the Believers: At the Origins of Islam by Fred M. Donner