Middle Eastern Diasporas and Political Communication

“This is an important book that fills a gap in the literature about the role of communication in facilitating diasporas’ political participation in their countries of origin, host societies, and global politics. The book provides insightful analysis of the way diaspora communities use media to build transnational connections, based on fresh data collected among diaspora groups in Europe and the USA. The well-rounded analysis in each chapter heightens the book’s relevance and contribution.”

Noha Mellor, Professor of Media, University of Sharjah, UAE

“This book is a must-read for those interested in the relationship between the Middle East, diaspora communities, and media post-2011. Its insightful analysis, drawn from media content analysis and interviews, fills a critical gap in our understanding of these complex relationships. The thought-provoking case studies shed light on media’s impact on shaping and strengthening connections between communities, particularly diaspora communities based in Western countries. The comprehensive insights into the utilization of digital media for political action and collective mobilization make this book a valuable and necessary contribution to the discourse on the Middle East and its diaspora communities.”

Tourya Guaaybess, European University Centre, Université de Lorraine, CREM

Ehab Galal is an Associate Professor at the University of Copenhagen. He is the Project Leader of “Mediatized Diaspora: Contentious Politics among Arab Media Users in Europe.” His research focuses on Arab media, Islamic television, regime-critical media, media and migration, Arab media audiences, and mediatized diaspora.

Mostafa Shehata is a Lecturer of Media and Digital Communication in the Faculty of Mass Communication, Menoufia University, Egypt, as well as Associate Researcher at the University of Copenhagen, Denmark. He holds a PhD from Roskilde University in Denmark. His research focus is on political communication, intercultural communication, social movement, migration, and the Middle East.

Claus Valling Pedersen is an Associate Professor in Persian at the Department of Cross-Cultural and Regional Studies, University of Copenhagen. His main research interest is in modern literature from Iran, spanning the period from about year 1900 until today, and most of his publications are about literature. He has also completed research on contemporary Iranian history, society, and religion.