Rooftop Societies: The Middle East Paradox
Fereydoon Rahmani
2020“Rooftop societies” is a groundbreaking investigation into Middle Eastern communities and sociopolitical constructs of the region. The theories and ideas behind “Rooftop societies” are meant for resistance and paint a picture of perpetual antagonism and dualism within these societies. Deep rifts between the state and society, the elites and regular citizens, and modernist forces and religious traditionalism are still vehemently manifested in the sociopolitical and cultural fibers of the region.
Dr. Rahmani understands the rooftop to be a shared cultural and physical space in which many sociopolitical and religious events take place. The people, state, and diverse groups within society have been using this space for centuries either to hide their furtive measures or resist oppression and practice their identities.