Arab Street Sayings: A Guide (Middle Eastern Islamist Extremism)

Arab Street Sayings can capture and transmit the views of ‘the people’, or at least many Arabs, about fundamental or complex subjects. Some are constant and unchanging, whilst others are dynamic and reflect changing circumstances and events. But there is also a strong cultural and political dimension. They are of particular importance within the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, where there is a long and proud oral tradition. Such Arab Street sayings are also: valued; versatile; grounded in people’s life experience; and most importantly echo their current thoughts, fears, and beliefs.

Following the ‘Arab Spring’, autocratic Arab states invested heavily in comprehensive electronic surveillance in order to ‘see and hear’ what their citizens were ‘saying and doing’. Consequently, the spoken word on the Arab Street has become even more important as a ‘barometer’, as many Arab citizens have virtually ‘abandoned’ the open internet and their mobile phones, when having politically sensitive discussions.

Reviews:

“A most insightful book” – Dr Richard Sparks, Washington DC.

“He has captured the thoughts, fears, and beliefs of the Arab Street” – Mohamed Majid, Philologist, Cairo.

“This is a thought provoking book” – James Thorpe, Strategic Analyst, London.