Sayed Mahdi Mosawi | University of Edinburgh (original) (raw)
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Papers by Sayed Mahdi Mosawi
Article, 2024
The mainstream literature on the religiosity of Muslims in Europe often homogenises this diverse ... more The mainstream literature on the religiosity of Muslims in Europe often homogenises this diverse minority. This article diverges by focusing on a less visible ethno-religious minority within the Muslim population, specifically examining how Hazara Shia Muslim migrants from Afghanistan, resettled in the UK, live and organise Islam in everyday contexts. Addressing this gap, the research highlights the intersectionality of religion, ethnicity, and migration in reconfiguring religious practice. Grounded in the intersectional and lived religion approaches, this study contends that the religiosity of this Muslim minority undergoes a dynamic shift entwined with agency and adaptation in the new secular and plural context, becoming more individualised, privatised, and elective. Employing an ethnographic design, data are collected through semi-structured and key informant interviews, as well as participant observation, over 18 months of fieldwork across various council areas in Scotland. The findings illustrate reconfiguration, adaptation, and innovation in everyday Islam among this intersectional Muslim minority, identifying three main themes: the adaptation and reconfiguration of religious practices and rituals, the renegotiation of authoritative sources, and the navigation of intersectional identities and belonging since resettlement in the UK.
KWI-BLOG, 2020
Social research in both conflict and post-conflict environments is crucial for understanding the ... more Social research in both conflict and post-conflict environments is crucial for understanding the complexity of setting, identifying needs and addressing social problems. Research provides not only evidence from the ground, but leads to effective and contextualized solutions. However, the implementation process in the field can be very challenging both methodologically and ethically. This is mostly due to ongoing conflict, fragility of political institutions and cultural sensitivities. Drawing on my experiences of extensive research work in post-conflict Afghanistan, I here discuss some of the practical challenges I have personally encountered in the field, as well as those I have discovered through my interactions with the research community. The discussed issues at stake disrupt common fundamentals that each research framework essentially aspires: to provide high quality and accurate data and assure no violation of ethics and rights of participants.
KWI-BLOG, 2020
Social research in both conflict and post-conflict environments is crucial for understanding the ... more Social research in both conflict and post-conflict environments is crucial for understanding the complexity of setting, identifying needs and addressing social problems. Research provides not only evidence from the ground, but leads to effective and contextualized solutions. However, the implementation process in the field can be very challenging both methodologically and ethically. This is mostly due to ongoing conflict, fragility of political institutions and cultural sensitivities. Drawing on my experiences of extensive research work in post-conflict Afghanistan, I here discuss some of the practical challenges I have personally encountered in the field, as well as those I have discovered through my interactions with the research community. The discussed issues at stake disrupt common fundamentals that each research framework essentially aspires: to provide high quality and accurate data and assure no violation of ethics and rights of participants.
XYonline, 2020
This review article offers an overview of the literature relating to men and masculinities in Afg... more This review article offers an overview of the literature relating to men and masculinities in Afghanistan. Relying on the scholarly works, it synthesizes the development of the field, reflecting a chronological and thematic order. Knowing about masculinities fields in nonwestern contexts can provide different insights into current discourse, which is mainly dominated by white masculinity.
![Research paper thumbnail of نارینه او “نارینتوب” ته یوه ژوره کتنه: په جنسیتي برابروالي کې د دوی فعاله مرسته [Pashto Translation of A Closer Look at Men and “Masculinities”: Their Proactive Contribution to Gender Equality]](https://attachments.academia-assets.com/52298520/thumbnails/1.jpg)
](نارینه او “نارینتوب” ته یوه ژوره کتنه: په جنسیتي برابروالي کې د دوی فعاله مرسته, May 2016
د افغانستان د څېړنې او ارزونې واحد )AREU( او د افغانستان لپاره د سویډن کمېټې )SCA( یوه ګډه څېړنه ... more د افغانستان د څېړنې او ارزونې واحد )AREU( او د افغانستان لپاره د سویډن کمېټې )SCA( یوه ګډه څېړنه ترسره کړه، ترڅو په دې اړه، چې په افغانستان کې نارینتوب موضوع ته څرنګه رسېدنه وشي، د پالیسۍ او عملي اقداماتو په برخه کې معلومات وړاندې کړي. نارینتوب داسې تعریف شوی، چې خلک د نارینه وو په اړه څرنګه پېژندنه او پوهاوی لري. د دغې څېړنې ټولیزه موخه او هدف په افغانستان کې د نرینه والي په تړاو د بېلابېلو او متعددو مفاهیمو پېژندنه او همدارنګه د دې مسلې درک دی، چې دغه مفاهیم څرنګه د جنسیتي نابرابروالي له رامنځته کېدو سره مرسته کوي. څېړنې د هلکانو او نارینه وو ونډې، برابروالي، واک او کنټرول او د ښځو په وړاندې تاوتریخوالي ته رسېدنه کړې، چې په جنسیتي برابروالي پورې اړوند نارینتوب، او سولې او
ټیکاو د پرمختیا په برخه کې اغیزمن لیدلوري دي.
The research draws on peoples’ understanding of their lived conditions and the materials presente... more The research draws on peoples’ understanding of their lived conditions and the materials presented below were worked up with different groups in the study communities through participatory exercises that opened up discussions around work, income, and food. The study highlights that a considerable number of rural families face food deprivation in the lean season and that poverty is underpinned by high incidence of landlessness and marginal landholdings insufficient to meet families’ food needs, low casual daily wage rates and high rates of under-employment, local economic relations that perpetuate poverty, and lack of critical services. In this context, the MCG Program can provide additional work days to families that are food insecure, whilst maintaining / repairing labor-intensive productive infrastructure.
A Closer Look at Men and “Masculinities”: Their Proactive Contribution to Gender Equality, May 2016
The Afghanistan Research and Evaluation Unit (AREU) and Swedish Committee for Afghanistan (SCA) u... more The Afghanistan Research and Evaluation Unit (AREU) and Swedish Committee for Afghanistan (SCA) undertook a collaborative study to inform both policy and practice on how to address masculinities in Afghanistan. Masculinity is defined as how people perceive male-ness. The overall goal of this research is a comprehensive understanding of different notions of being a man in Afghanistan and how they contribute to gender inequality. The study addressed boys' and men's roles; equality, power and control; and violence against women, which are the most compelling perspectives on masculinities vis-à-vis gender equality, peace and sustainable development. It is imperative to address disparities in both domestic and community opportunities afforded to Afghan women and girls. As one of the United Nations' 193 signatories, Afghanistan needs to further solidify its policies and programmes as a blueprint to improve the lives of women and children. Afghanistan retains a definition of masculinities and femininities that has been passed down from generation to generation. The present threats to Afghan girls and women occur in a context of traditional practices that suppress them and make them vulnerable to violence. Despite Afghan gender-based policies, inequalities persist, including unequal access to education, healthcare and employment. Policies still fail to accommodate the research that highlights the advantages of including men and boys in equality programmes that prevent gender-based violence (GBV). Gender equality is a prerequisite for overall health and development and, thus, a driver of the economy, as is clearly pointed out in SDG number 5— " Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls " —and embedded in other goals. There is an unacceptable silence surrounding the widely known discrimination and violence against girls and women. Such a notion is confirmed by the study findings that reveal many women's acceptance of a masculinity-based culture of violence. This indicates how deeply rooted these perceptions are and highlights the value of increasing girls' and women's awareness about the roles they can play in reinstating self-esteem and confidence. A report sponsored by the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) and Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) claimed that silence implicitly supports those who are intent on maintaining their authority by confining women to household chores and a lower status in life; further, it endorses discriminatory systems that condone violence against women.
Books by Sayed Mahdi Mosawi
The book chapter intends to develop an understanding of men’s lived experiences of HBA in the pos... more The book chapter intends to develop an understanding of men’s lived experiences of HBA in the post-conflict era in Afghanistan. It aims to explore and comprehend HBA in the everyday life of men living in Kabul city...
The Other Side of Gender Inequaity: Men and Masculinities in Afghanistan, Jan 21, 2016
As one of the first studies on Afghan Masculinities and Gender inequality, the overall purpose of... more As one of the first studies on Afghan Masculinities and Gender inequality, the overall purpose of this research is to achieve an in-depth understanding of different notions of being a man in Afghanistan and how they contribute to gender inequality. A multi-method approach employed both quantitative and qualitative techniques to assess four different provinces (Nangarhar, Takhar, Bamyan, and Kabul) that manifested degrees of both conservatism and openness regarding gender issues.
Results affirmed that being a man refers to social roles, behaviours, and meanings prescribed in a particular context. This perception is clearly shown in the shared opinion among all groups in the Focus Group Discussions (FGDs), for older men and women as well as for younger men and women. Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) in all provinces described that men should be considered the head of the household. A man has the responsibility to procreate, support, and protect the family and country. Afghan men are perceived to possess the qualities of being brave and honourable.
The majority of the respondents agreed that gender-based violence, although not right, is justifiable when women resist men's decisions. Most of the religious male key informants believed that Islamic rules permit beating a wife in case she is a "Nashiza" (rebellious/disobedient woman). The participants and informants in all provinces stated that women's responsibility is to manage their homes. Older respondents were more inclined to accept this norm compared to their younger counterparts. Moreover, data showed that female respondents with higher educational attainment had a lower inclination to agree with the norm that women should take care of domestic tasks. Higher educational attainment had little effect on Afghan men's responses.
د جنسیت د نا برابر والې بل اړخ: په افغانستان کې نارینه او نارینتوب, Apr 2016
سوی دیگر نابرابری جنسیتی: مردان و خصوصیات مردانگی در افغانستان, Dec 2016
Article, 2024
The mainstream literature on the religiosity of Muslims in Europe often homogenises this diverse ... more The mainstream literature on the religiosity of Muslims in Europe often homogenises this diverse minority. This article diverges by focusing on a less visible ethno-religious minority within the Muslim population, specifically examining how Hazara Shia Muslim migrants from Afghanistan, resettled in the UK, live and organise Islam in everyday contexts. Addressing this gap, the research highlights the intersectionality of religion, ethnicity, and migration in reconfiguring religious practice. Grounded in the intersectional and lived religion approaches, this study contends that the religiosity of this Muslim minority undergoes a dynamic shift entwined with agency and adaptation in the new secular and plural context, becoming more individualised, privatised, and elective. Employing an ethnographic design, data are collected through semi-structured and key informant interviews, as well as participant observation, over 18 months of fieldwork across various council areas in Scotland. The findings illustrate reconfiguration, adaptation, and innovation in everyday Islam among this intersectional Muslim minority, identifying three main themes: the adaptation and reconfiguration of religious practices and rituals, the renegotiation of authoritative sources, and the navigation of intersectional identities and belonging since resettlement in the UK.
KWI-BLOG, 2020
Social research in both conflict and post-conflict environments is crucial for understanding the ... more Social research in both conflict and post-conflict environments is crucial for understanding the complexity of setting, identifying needs and addressing social problems. Research provides not only evidence from the ground, but leads to effective and contextualized solutions. However, the implementation process in the field can be very challenging both methodologically and ethically. This is mostly due to ongoing conflict, fragility of political institutions and cultural sensitivities. Drawing on my experiences of extensive research work in post-conflict Afghanistan, I here discuss some of the practical challenges I have personally encountered in the field, as well as those I have discovered through my interactions with the research community. The discussed issues at stake disrupt common fundamentals that each research framework essentially aspires: to provide high quality and accurate data and assure no violation of ethics and rights of participants.
KWI-BLOG, 2020
Social research in both conflict and post-conflict environments is crucial for understanding the ... more Social research in both conflict and post-conflict environments is crucial for understanding the complexity of setting, identifying needs and addressing social problems. Research provides not only evidence from the ground, but leads to effective and contextualized solutions. However, the implementation process in the field can be very challenging both methodologically and ethically. This is mostly due to ongoing conflict, fragility of political institutions and cultural sensitivities. Drawing on my experiences of extensive research work in post-conflict Afghanistan, I here discuss some of the practical challenges I have personally encountered in the field, as well as those I have discovered through my interactions with the research community. The discussed issues at stake disrupt common fundamentals that each research framework essentially aspires: to provide high quality and accurate data and assure no violation of ethics and rights of participants.
XYonline, 2020
This review article offers an overview of the literature relating to men and masculinities in Afg... more This review article offers an overview of the literature relating to men and masculinities in Afghanistan. Relying on the scholarly works, it synthesizes the development of the field, reflecting a chronological and thematic order. Knowing about masculinities fields in nonwestern contexts can provide different insights into current discourse, which is mainly dominated by white masculinity.
نارینه او “نارینتوب” ته یوه ژوره کتنه: په جنسیتي برابروالي کې د دوی فعاله مرسته, May 2016
د افغانستان د څېړنې او ارزونې واحد )AREU( او د افغانستان لپاره د سویډن کمېټې )SCA( یوه ګډه څېړنه ... more د افغانستان د څېړنې او ارزونې واحد )AREU( او د افغانستان لپاره د سویډن کمېټې )SCA( یوه ګډه څېړنه ترسره کړه، ترڅو په دې اړه، چې په افغانستان کې نارینتوب موضوع ته څرنګه رسېدنه وشي، د پالیسۍ او عملي اقداماتو په برخه کې معلومات وړاندې کړي. نارینتوب داسې تعریف شوی، چې خلک د نارینه وو په اړه څرنګه پېژندنه او پوهاوی لري. د دغې څېړنې ټولیزه موخه او هدف په افغانستان کې د نرینه والي په تړاو د بېلابېلو او متعددو مفاهیمو پېژندنه او همدارنګه د دې مسلې درک دی، چې دغه مفاهیم څرنګه د جنسیتي نابرابروالي له رامنځته کېدو سره مرسته کوي. څېړنې د هلکانو او نارینه وو ونډې، برابروالي، واک او کنټرول او د ښځو په وړاندې تاوتریخوالي ته رسېدنه کړې، چې په جنسیتي برابروالي پورې اړوند نارینتوب، او سولې او
ټیکاو د پرمختیا په برخه کې اغیزمن لیدلوري دي.
The research draws on peoples’ understanding of their lived conditions and the materials presente... more The research draws on peoples’ understanding of their lived conditions and the materials presented below were worked up with different groups in the study communities through participatory exercises that opened up discussions around work, income, and food. The study highlights that a considerable number of rural families face food deprivation in the lean season and that poverty is underpinned by high incidence of landlessness and marginal landholdings insufficient to meet families’ food needs, low casual daily wage rates and high rates of under-employment, local economic relations that perpetuate poverty, and lack of critical services. In this context, the MCG Program can provide additional work days to families that are food insecure, whilst maintaining / repairing labor-intensive productive infrastructure.
A Closer Look at Men and “Masculinities”: Their Proactive Contribution to Gender Equality, May 2016
The Afghanistan Research and Evaluation Unit (AREU) and Swedish Committee for Afghanistan (SCA) u... more The Afghanistan Research and Evaluation Unit (AREU) and Swedish Committee for Afghanistan (SCA) undertook a collaborative study to inform both policy and practice on how to address masculinities in Afghanistan. Masculinity is defined as how people perceive male-ness. The overall goal of this research is a comprehensive understanding of different notions of being a man in Afghanistan and how they contribute to gender inequality. The study addressed boys' and men's roles; equality, power and control; and violence against women, which are the most compelling perspectives on masculinities vis-à-vis gender equality, peace and sustainable development. It is imperative to address disparities in both domestic and community opportunities afforded to Afghan women and girls. As one of the United Nations' 193 signatories, Afghanistan needs to further solidify its policies and programmes as a blueprint to improve the lives of women and children. Afghanistan retains a definition of masculinities and femininities that has been passed down from generation to generation. The present threats to Afghan girls and women occur in a context of traditional practices that suppress them and make them vulnerable to violence. Despite Afghan gender-based policies, inequalities persist, including unequal access to education, healthcare and employment. Policies still fail to accommodate the research that highlights the advantages of including men and boys in equality programmes that prevent gender-based violence (GBV). Gender equality is a prerequisite for overall health and development and, thus, a driver of the economy, as is clearly pointed out in SDG number 5— " Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls " —and embedded in other goals. There is an unacceptable silence surrounding the widely known discrimination and violence against girls and women. Such a notion is confirmed by the study findings that reveal many women's acceptance of a masculinity-based culture of violence. This indicates how deeply rooted these perceptions are and highlights the value of increasing girls' and women's awareness about the roles they can play in reinstating self-esteem and confidence. A report sponsored by the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) and Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) claimed that silence implicitly supports those who are intent on maintaining their authority by confining women to household chores and a lower status in life; further, it endorses discriminatory systems that condone violence against women.
The book chapter intends to develop an understanding of men’s lived experiences of HBA in the pos... more The book chapter intends to develop an understanding of men’s lived experiences of HBA in the post-conflict era in Afghanistan. It aims to explore and comprehend HBA in the everyday life of men living in Kabul city...
The Other Side of Gender Inequaity: Men and Masculinities in Afghanistan, Jan 21, 2016
As one of the first studies on Afghan Masculinities and Gender inequality, the overall purpose of... more As one of the first studies on Afghan Masculinities and Gender inequality, the overall purpose of this research is to achieve an in-depth understanding of different notions of being a man in Afghanistan and how they contribute to gender inequality. A multi-method approach employed both quantitative and qualitative techniques to assess four different provinces (Nangarhar, Takhar, Bamyan, and Kabul) that manifested degrees of both conservatism and openness regarding gender issues.
Results affirmed that being a man refers to social roles, behaviours, and meanings prescribed in a particular context. This perception is clearly shown in the shared opinion among all groups in the Focus Group Discussions (FGDs), for older men and women as well as for younger men and women. Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) in all provinces described that men should be considered the head of the household. A man has the responsibility to procreate, support, and protect the family and country. Afghan men are perceived to possess the qualities of being brave and honourable.
The majority of the respondents agreed that gender-based violence, although not right, is justifiable when women resist men's decisions. Most of the religious male key informants believed that Islamic rules permit beating a wife in case she is a "Nashiza" (rebellious/disobedient woman). The participants and informants in all provinces stated that women's responsibility is to manage their homes. Older respondents were more inclined to accept this norm compared to their younger counterparts. Moreover, data showed that female respondents with higher educational attainment had a lower inclination to agree with the norm that women should take care of domestic tasks. Higher educational attainment had little effect on Afghan men's responses.
د جنسیت د نا برابر والې بل اړخ: په افغانستان کې نارینه او نارینتوب, Apr 2016
سوی دیگر نابرابری جنسیتی: مردان و خصوصیات مردانگی در افغانستان, Dec 2016