So Far from Allah, So Close to Mexico

Middle Eastern Immigrants in Modern Mexico

Nonfiction, History, Americas, Mexico, Middle East
Cover of the book So Far from Allah, So Close to Mexico by Theresa Alfaro-Velcamp, University of Texas Press
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Theresa Alfaro-Velcamp ISBN: 9780292784314
Publisher: University of Texas Press Publication: June 3, 2009
Imprint: University of Texas Press Language: English
Author: Theresa Alfaro-Velcamp
ISBN: 9780292784314
Publisher: University of Texas Press
Publication: June 3, 2009
Imprint: University of Texas Press
Language: English

Middle Eastern immigration to Mexico is one of the intriguing, untold stories in the history of both regions. In So Far from Allah, So Close to Mexico, Theresa Alfaro-Velcamp presents the fascinating findings of her extensive fieldwork in Mexico as well as in Lebanon and Syria, which included comprehensive data collection from more than 8,000 original immigration cards as well as studies of decades of legal publications and the collection of historiographies from descendents of Middle Eastern immigrants living in Mexico today.

Adding an important chapter to studies of the Arab diaspora, Alfaro-Velcamp's study shows that political instability in both Mexico and the Middle East kept many from fulfilling their dreams of returning to their countries of origin after realizing wealth in Mexico, in a few cases drawing on an imagined Phoenician past to create a class of economically powerful Lebanese Mexicans. She also explores the repercussions of xenophobia in Mexico, the effect of religious differences, and the impact of key events such as the Mexican Revolution.

Challenging the post-revolutionary definitions of mexicanidad and exposing new aspects of the often contradictory attitudes of Mexicans toward foreigners, So Far from Allah, So Close to Mexico should spark timely dialogues regarding race and ethnicity, and the essence of Mexican citizenship.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Middle Eastern immigration to Mexico is one of the intriguing, untold stories in the history of both regions. In So Far from Allah, So Close to Mexico, Theresa Alfaro-Velcamp presents the fascinating findings of her extensive fieldwork in Mexico as well as in Lebanon and Syria, which included comprehensive data collection from more than 8,000 original immigration cards as well as studies of decades of legal publications and the collection of historiographies from descendents of Middle Eastern immigrants living in Mexico today.

Adding an important chapter to studies of the Arab diaspora, Alfaro-Velcamp's study shows that political instability in both Mexico and the Middle East kept many from fulfilling their dreams of returning to their countries of origin after realizing wealth in Mexico, in a few cases drawing on an imagined Phoenician past to create a class of economically powerful Lebanese Mexicans. She also explores the repercussions of xenophobia in Mexico, the effect of religious differences, and the impact of key events such as the Mexican Revolution.

Challenging the post-revolutionary definitions of mexicanidad and exposing new aspects of the often contradictory attitudes of Mexicans toward foreigners, So Far from Allah, So Close to Mexico should spark timely dialogues regarding race and ethnicity, and the essence of Mexican citizenship.

More books from University of Texas Press

Cover of the book Taking the Waters in Texas by Theresa Alfaro-Velcamp
Cover of the book Colonialism and Christianity in Mandate Palestine by Theresa Alfaro-Velcamp
Cover of the book Spies and Holy Wars by Theresa Alfaro-Velcamp
Cover of the book Don't Suck, Don't Die by Theresa Alfaro-Velcamp
Cover of the book Surviving in Two Worlds by Theresa Alfaro-Velcamp
Cover of the book The Best American Newspaper Narratives, Volume 3 by Theresa Alfaro-Velcamp
Cover of the book The Pleasure of Miss Pym by Theresa Alfaro-Velcamp
Cover of the book Robert Estienne's Influence on Lexicography by Theresa Alfaro-Velcamp
Cover of the book Tomorrow We're All Going to the Harvest by Theresa Alfaro-Velcamp
Cover of the book Feminism, Film, Fascism by Theresa Alfaro-Velcamp
Cover of the book Time, History, and Belief in Aztec and Colonial Mexico by Theresa Alfaro-Velcamp
Cover of the book Land of the Underground Rain by Theresa Alfaro-Velcamp
Cover of the book The Primacy of Vision in Virgil's Aeneid by Theresa Alfaro-Velcamp
Cover of the book Spectatorship by Theresa Alfaro-Velcamp
Cover of the book Greek and Roman Comedy by Theresa Alfaro-Velcamp
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy