Islamist political parties in the Middle East topic of April 30 talk at Rice’s Baker Institute

MEDIA ADVISORY

David Ruth
druth@rice.edu
713-348-6327

Jeff Falk
jfalk@rice.edu
713-348-6775

Islamist political parties in the Middle East topic of April 30 talk at Rice’s Baker Institute

HOUSTON – (April 25, 2014) – Shadi Hamid, a fellow in the Brookings Institution’s Saban Center for Middle East Policy, will discuss his new book “Temptations of Power: Islamists and Illiberal Democracy in a New Middle East” at Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy April 30.

Who: Shadi Hamid, a fellow in the Brooking Institution’s Saban Center for Middle East Policy.

Andrew Bowen, Baker Institute scholar for the Middle East and director of the institute’s Levant Program, will give introductory remarks.

What: “Temptations of Power: Islamists and Illiberal Democracy in a New Middle East” event.

When: 6 p.m. Wednesday, April 30. A reception and book signing will follow.

Where: Rice University, Baker Hall, Doré Commons, 6100 Main St.

As long as the battle over the role of religion in public life continues, Islamist political parties in the Middle East will remain an important force — whether in the ranks of opposition or the halls of power, according to event organizers. In his presentation, Hamid will discuss his book and provide a timely and provocative account of where the region’s Islamist groups have come from and where they might be headed, organizers said.

In “Temptations of Power,” Hamid draws on interviews with leaders and activists from across the region to advance a new understanding of how Islamist movements change over time. He puts forward the thesis that repression forced Islamists to moderate their politics, work in coalitions, de-emphasize Islamic law and set aside the dream of an Islamic state.

Members of the news media who want to attend should RSVP to Jeff Falk, associate director of national media relations at Rice, at jfalk@rice.edu or 713-348-6775.

A live webcast will be available at http://bakerinstitute.org/webcasts.

For a map of Rice University’s campus, go to www.rice.edu/maps/maps.html.

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Related items:

Hamid bio: www.brookings.edu/experts/hamids

“Temptations of Power” book: http://global.oup.com/academic/product/temptations-of-power-9780199314058

Bowen bio: http://bakerinstitute.org/experts/andrew-bowen

Follow Rice News and Media Relations via Twitter @RiceUNews.

Founded in 1993, Rice University’s Baker Institute ranks among the top 15 university-affiliated think tanks in the world. As a premier nonpartisan think tank, the institute conducts research on domestic and foreign policy issues with the goal of bridging the gap between the theory and practice of public policy. The institute’s strong track record of achievement reflects the work of its endowed fellows, Rice University faculty scholars and staff, coupled with its outreach to the Rice student body through fellow-taught classes — including a public policy course — and student leadership and internship programs. Learn more about the institute at www.bakerinstitute.org or on the institute’s blog, http://blogs.chron.com/bakerblog.