Middle East and Islamic Studies
New at Brill in Open Access: Encyclopædia Iranica Online
Encyclopaedia Iranica is the most renowned reference work in the field of Iran studies. Founded by the late Professor Ehsan Yarshater and edited at the Ehsan Yarshater Center for Iranian Studies at Columbia University, this monumental international project brings together the scholarship about Iran of thousands of authors around the world.
News & Announcements
Stay up-to-date with the Brill Community and sign up to our newsletter!
Sign upEncyclopædia Iranica Online Now Freely Accessible at Brill
The Ehsan Yarshater Center for Iranian Studies at Columbia University, New York, and Brill are delighted to announce that the Encyclopædia Iranica Online is now freely accessible at Brill’s Reference Works Platform. Encyclopædia Iranica is the comprehensive academic reference work dedicated to the study of Iranian civilization in the Middle East, the Caucasus, Central Asia, and the Indian subcontinent.
Ancient Iran Series Added to Brill’s Publishing Portfolio
As part of their growing portfolio in Middle East and Islamic Studies, Brill has signed an agreement for the take-over of the book series Ancient Iran Series. With its coverage of ancient, pre-, and early-Islamic Iran, this book series complements other book series with a more modern focus on this geographical area, as well as the various other journals and encyclopaedias Brill publishes in this field.
Read an interview with Geert Jan van Gelder
The longstanding series Handbook of Oriental Studies. Section 1: The Near and Middle East recently reached its 150th volume by publishing the special Prominent Murder Victims of the Pre- and Early Islamic Periods Including the Names of Murdered Poets. We caught up with Geert Jan van Gelder, editor and translator of the volume.
Acquisitions Editors
Brill
Maurits van den Boogert
Nicolette van der Hoek
Abdurraouf Oueslati
Teddi Dols
Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht
Jehona Kicaj
Middle East and Islamic Studies
All public life continued to be strongly dominated by the Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF). The country started to gear up for the May 2010 elections, with the government becoming nervous about opposition parties and trying to restrict their expansion. EPRDF party organisation was given priority in an effort to co-opt as many people as possible, particularly those in economic and administrative key positions. This was in line with the EPRDF's mission to prevent a repeat of the 2005 elections, which were nearly lost. Prime Minister Meles Zenawi declared himself ready for another term in office. A new opposition coalition, ‘Medrek’ or Forum for Democratic Dialogue, was formed by eight parties and gained support by having a broad spectrum of leaders from various backgrounds. The building of their support base in rural areas was hindered by the EPRDF, which was afraid of competition. Overall, there was little evidence of real progress in democratic consolidation. The human rights record was as disappointing as in 2008 – no fundamental improvements were seen with respect to the rights of opposition political activists, journalists and other media agents. Police and army behaviour was unsatisfactory in many cases. Arbitrary arrests, extra-judicial procedures and abuse were regularly reported. Internet access remained restricted, despite a false announcement in March that access was to be free.