The No-Nonsense Guide to Islam - Softcover

Merryl Wyn Davies; Zia Sardar

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1896357865 ISBN 13: 9781896357867

Publisher: Between the Lines, 2004

Synopsis

Even before September 11, 2001, Muslims were often framed by Western media and many non-Muslims as enemies of "freedom" and "progress." Like other religions, Islam is not without its ongoing tensions and struggles. However, like other religions, there is a depth and richness to the Islamic faith that is too often overlooked because of stereotypes.

This No-Nonsense Guide looks at the complexities of Islam and how its adherents are reconciling their faith with the social realities of the twenty-first century. In so doing, Merryl Wyn Davies and Zia Sardar examine the Qur'an and Islamic law (sharia), how world history has been shaped by Islam, Islam's rocky relationship with the Western world, and the many challenges within and without Islam.

About this title

About the Author:

MERRYL WYN DAVIES is a writer, anthropologist, and a former producer of religious programs for the BBC.

ZIA SARDAR is a writer, broadcaster, and cultural critic.

Review:

"The latest in the New Internationalist's excellent series of No-Nonsense Guides to all things is timely, as the peaceful and humane idealogy of the world's second-largest religion becomes dangerously obscured not only by widespread ignorance and misinterpretation, but also by the Muslims own drift away from the central tenets of the faith. The book examines the history and principles of Islam, how the faith which emphasised justice, creativity and tolerance, drifted from education to despotism and mediocrity, and what Islam could and should become in future." Observer, London My school library contains many books about Islam. However, no books explain the conflicts which have arisen... A teenage student investigating Islamic views as an issue, rather than a system of beliefs would have been very short of material before the addtion of this volume.' - School Librarian, UK "Sardar and Davies show what Islam has achieved; and what it is capable of achieving. They suggest how both Islam and the West can transform themselves to see each other as fully human and capable of laying the foundation for a just world order." - Dr Ghayasuddin Siddiqui, Director of the Muslim Institute and leader of the Muslim Parliament of Great Britain "If you are thinking about a book on Islam for non-Muslims new to the faith, or a book for anyone seeking to make sense of the challenges faced by Muslims in 21st century, then this book bests both tasks." Amazon customer review

About this edition

• Publisher: Between the Lines
• Publication date: 2004
• ISBN 10: 1896357865
• ISBN 13: 9781896357867
• Binding: Paperback