Contemporary Islam

Contemporary Islam provides a counterweight to the prevailing opinions of Islamic thought as conservative and static with a preference for violence over dialogue. It gathers together a collection of eminent scholars from around the world who tackle issues such as intellectual pluralism, gender, the ethics of political participation, human rights, non-violence and religious harmony. This is a highly topical and important study which gives a progressive outlook for Islam's role in modern politics and society.

Abdul Aziz Said is the senior ranking Professor of International Relations and also occupies the Mohammed Said Farsi Chair of Islamic Peace at American University (Washington, DC). Some of Said’s books include: Concepts of International Politics in Global Perspective and Peace and Conflict Resolution in Islam.

Mohammed Abu-Nimer is a Professor of International Peace and Conflict Resolution Studies at American University (Washington, DC). Abu-Nimer has published many articles on the application of conflict resolution models in non-Western contexts. His latest publication is Nonviolence and Peacebuilding in Islam: Theory and Practice.

Meena Sharify-Funk is currently an Adjunct Lecturer on Islam at the University of Waterloo in Ontario, Canada. She has written and presented a number of articles and papers on women, Islam and the politics of interpretation. She also has co-edited the book, Cultural Diversity and Islam.