Repression through Interpretation is a critical reading of the “abstract concepts” that have been historically deployed as instruments of control in Arab societies. Nation. The state’s reputation. Allah. Good. Evil. Faith. Blasphemy. Liberation. Revolution. Change. Independence — words repeatedly invoked to uphold the dominance of political, religious and social authorities and to silent dissent. The book examines their role in Arab political and social history, as well as in literature, art and intellectual thought.