Striking from the Margins (SFM) is a research initiative that explores the profound transformations within the religious, state, and social structures of the Middle East, with a particular focus on Syria and Iraq over the last three decades. Hosted by the Center for Religious Studies at the Central European University, this project endeavors to transcend traditional culturalist and post-colonial explanations by offering new analytical lenses on the region’s complex realities.
Develop a nuanced understanding of how marginalized groups, including those defined by religion, have gained political prominence amidst the weakening of state functions.
Question prevailing narratives around religious resurgence, exploring the reconfiguration of the religious landscape and the rise of activist and puritanical religious movements.
Introduce innovative analytical frameworks to better comprehend and discuss the intertwined conflicts following the Arab Spring, the fragmentation of state authority, and the emergence of transnational jihadist networks.
Research and Outreach
Throughout its first phase, SFM:
(1) Engaged in comprehensive research and facilitated discussions through a bi-weekly seminar series, drawing on expertise from both CEU faculty and international scholars.
(2) Organized significant conferences in Budapest (June 2017) and at the American University in Beirut (January 2019), fostering dialogue on key themes such as the devolution of state and religious authority, the role of neo-patrimonial and communalist actors, and the impact of new media on social identities.
(3) Established a forum for ongoing dialogue on the project’s website.
Publications
(1) “Striking from the Margins: State, Religion and Devolution of Authority in the Middle East” by Aziz Al-Azmeh, Nadia Al-Bagdadi, Harith Hasan, and Harout Akdedian
