Reading in Al-Mushtarak : A System for Democratic Socialism

Ibrahim Allawi's classic, Reading in Al-Mushtarak: A System for Democratic Socialism offers an important and timely exploration of revolutionary theory through a lens of Arab-Islamic history and socialist thought. Edited and translated for the very first time into the English language by Ali Al-Assam and Majid Allawi, this brilliant work provides an essential guide for those seeking to understand the intersections of Islamic philosophy and Marxist thought, advocating for a collaborative, democratic future. A must-read for scholars and activists, Reading in Al-Mushtarak presents a visionary framework for a contemporary socialism that is both deeply rooted in historical context and boldly forward-thinking.

"This work addresses a significant gap in the literature on socialist movements in the Middle East, with a focus on the Communist movement. It highlights the work of the late Ibrahim Allawi, an influential Iraqi communist leader who developed a highly sophisticated, rich, illuminating, and comprehensive theory of socialism. Allawi's theory was developed by examining the experiences of international socialist movements and the role of Islamic philosophical thought. It is extensive in its coverage and very carefully documented. The work has the potential to significantly enrich the field and I highly recommend it to students and scholars." -Tareq Y. Ismael