So Far from Allah, So Close to Mexico

by Alfaro-velcamp, Theresa

• ISBN13: 9780292716407
• ISBN10: 0292716400
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2007-07-01
• Publisher: Univ of Texas Pr

Summary

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.

Table of Contents

Introduction: Looking for Antonio Aychur Itt and Finding Hamud Said 'Eid

Amplifying Mexicanidad

Locating Middle Easterners in National and Transnational Histories

Turco Sojourners Come to Porfirian Mexico

Borderland Merchants in Revolutionary Mexico

Middle Eastern Immigrants and Foreigners in Post-Revolutionary Mexico

Peddling, Positioning, and Prosperity

Conclusion: Meanings of Multiculturalism

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