«very compelling»

Ron E. Hassner, IJRF

«This book is a valuable and well-researched survey of the ways in which governance is applied in contested sacred sites. It aims to fill a gap in the available literature ... The extensive bibliography will be useful for those who wish to research in the area of governance and religions. It is worth celebrating that this helpful and positive book is published at a time when the Middle East needs fresh impetus towards conflict resolution at all levels.»

Alan John Amos, Theology

«an enviable repertoire of arguments and authors which permeates the pages of this book, the substantial fruits of collaboration between a political scientist (Perez) and a philosopher (Jobani). In its clear organization, sharp conceptualization, and humble conclusions it is a model not only of an exceptional contribution to the literature on religion and international relations, but of social science generally»

Robert J. Joustra, Review of Faith and International Affairs

«Yuval Jobani and Nahshson Perez have blended politics and careful historical-sociological analysis to provide different models of state religion relations and modes of toleration at holy sites that are contested. Their analysis is not only elegant, convincing, and textured, but it shows that we cannot understand what is going on at contentious sites with one overarching theoretical framework. We need in-depth, thick descriptions and comparative analyses of what actors want, how states perceive their needs, and what is possible on the ground. Governing the Sacred will persist. It is excellent political science and it has significant policy implications. It needs to be read widely.»

Karen Barkey, Haas Distinguished Chair of Religious Diversity, Department of Sociology, University o

«Jobani and Perez have written a wonderful book about how sacred sites should be treated in a liberal society. With insights from an unusually broad spectrum of fields-including philosophy, political theory, economics, history, sociology, and religious studies- and using five paradigm cases (and others), they weave together a bottom-up, contextualist theory that can help us better discuss contested sacred sites. In doing so, they remind us just how far from settled is the ideal church-state relationship in liberal thought and provide a much needed example of how to move from theoretical work to practical political thinking.»

Andrew J. Cohen, Professor of Philosophy, Georgia State University; author of Toleration and Freedom

«Governing the Sacred is a novel contribution to the understanding of holy places world-wide. It is extraordinarily original in its comparative analysis, historically complete in its descriptions of the past regulations, and, most importantly, frankly honest in its discussion of the virtues and vices of the competing models used worldwide. This book ought to change the way many different people-academics and faith-practitioners alike-understand how to regulate sacred space.»

Michael Broyde, Professor of Law, Emory University School of Law; senior fellow and projects directo

«The main aim of the authors is to establish both a typology and a policy toolbox for managing conflict over these holy sites. The discussion and the sifting through the advantages and disadvantages of different approaches is very robust and useful.»

Jerusalem Quarterly