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The Politically Incorrect Guide to Jihad (The Politically Incorrect Guides)
By William Kilpatrick. 2016
Back by popular demand, the bestselling Politically Incorrect Guides provide an unvarnished, unapologetic overview of the topics every American needs…
to know. The Politically Incorrect Guide to Jihad delves into the dark world of radical Islam, exposing the most violent menace of the 21st century.Children of Dust
By Ali Eteraz. 2009
Ali Eteraz's Children of Dust is a spellbinding portrayal of a life that few Americans can imagine. From his schooling…
in a madrassa in Pakistan to his teenage years as a Muslim American in the Bible Belt, and back to Pakistan to find a pious Muslim wife, this lyrical, penetrating saga from a brilliant new literary voice captures the heart of our universal quest for identity.Children of Dust begins in rural Islam at the lowest levels of Pakistani society in the turbulent eighties. This intimate portrayal of rustic village life is revealed through a young boy's eyes as he discovers magic, women, and friendship.After immigrating with his family to the United States, Eteraz struggles to be a normal American teenager under the rules of a strict Muslim household.In 1999, he returns to Pakistan to find the villages of his youth dominated by the ideology of the Taliban, filled with young men spouting militant rhetoric, and his extended family under threat. Eteraz becomes the target of a mysterious abduction plot when he is purported to be a CIA agent, and eventually has to escape under military escort.Back in the United States, with his fundamentalist illusions now shattered, Eteraz tries to find a middle way within American Islam. At each stage of Eteraz's life, he takes on a different identity to signal his evolution. From being pledged to Islam in Mecca as an infant, through Salafi fundamentalism, to liberal reformer, Eteraz desperately struggles to come to terms with being a Pakistani and a Muslim.Astonishingly honest, darkly comic, and beautifully told, Children of Dust is an extraordinary adventure that reveals the diversity of Islamic beliefs, the vastness of the Pakistani diaspora, and the very human search for home.British Muslim Converts: Choosing Alternative Lives
By Kate Zebiri. 2008
When the Western mass-media talk of conversion to Islam, we are bombarded with accounts of vulnerable people brainwashed into a…
culture of extremism. However, in reality, the vast majority who convert are well-educated, liberal in outlook, and doing so as the result of a long-considered and heart-felt decision. What is more, their numbers are growing. In British Muslim Converts, Kate Zebiri looks at these cases of conversion, and examines the contribution that converts are making to an indigenous Western Islamic thought and discourse. Overcoming the West/Islam divide just by virtue of who they are, Zebiri examines the converts' unique potential to act as cultural mediators between Muslims and non-Muslims, as well as their ability to act as a reforming force. Informed by interviews with converts as well as published and internet material, this fascinating study is the only exploration of this unique group in British society.A Concise Encyclopedia of Islam (Concise Encyclopedias)
By Gordon Newby. 2002
This concise reference guide is designed specifically for readers and students who wish to learn more about the world's fastest-growing…
religion. Fully illustrated, the encyclopedia contains hundreds of alphabetically arranged entries which give succinct yet authoritative information on everything from the Qur'an and its origins to the role of Islam in the USA.Abd al-Ghani al-Nabulusi: Islam and the Enlightenment (Makers of the Muslim World)
By Samer Akkach. 2007
In this unique look at a key figure in the Islamic enlightenment, Samer Akkach examines the life and works of…
'Abd al-Ghani al-Nabulusi (1641-1731) of Damascus: a contemporary of many major thinkers, scientists, poets, and philosophers of the European Enlightenment. Often characterized solely as a Sufi saint, his thought and teachings were of a much wider remit. Through a fresh reading of his unpublished biographical sources and large body of mostly unpublished works, Akkach examines early expressions of rationalism among Arab and Turkish scholars, and argues that 'Abd al-Ghani helped herald the beginning of modernity in the Arab world.Ibn 'Arabi: Heir to the Prophets (Makers of the Muslim World)
By William C. Chittick. 2005
The importance of Muhyi al-Din Ibn al-Arabi (1165-1240) for Islamic mysticism lies in the fact that he was a speculative…
thinker of the highest order, albeit diffuse and difficult to understand. His central doctrine is the unity of all existence. In this text, William Chittick explores how, through the work of Ibn Al-Arabi, Sufism moves away from anguished and ascetic searchings of the heart and conscience and becomes a matter of speculative philsophy and theosophy.Akbar (Makers of the Muslim World)
By Andre Wink. 2009
Widely regarded as the greatest of the Mughal emperors, Jalal ad-Din Akbar (1542-1603) was a formidable military tactician and popular…
demagogue. Ascending to the throne at the age of thirteen, he ruled for half a century, expanded the Mughal empire, and left behind a legacy to rival his infamous ancestors Chinggis Khan and Timur. In this lucid biography, Andre Wink provides glimpses into Akbar's daily life and highlights his contribution to new methods of imperial control and record-keeping. Andre Wink is Professor of History at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.The Complete Infidel's Guide to the Koran (Complete Infidel's Guides)
By Robert Spencer. 2009
The Koran: It may be the most controversial book in the world. Some see it as a paean to peace,…
others call it a violent mandate for worldwide Islamic supremacy.How can one book lead to such dramatically different conclusions? New York Times bestselling author Robert Spencer reveals the truth in The Complete Infidel's Guide to the Koran: not many Westerners know what's in the Koran, since so few have actually read it -- even among the legions of politicians, diplomats, analysts, and editorial writers who vehemently insist that the Koran preaches tolerance.Now, Spencer unveils the mysteries lying behind this powerful book, guiding readers through the controversies surrounding the Koran's origins and its most contentious passages. Stripping out the obsolete debates, Spencer focuses on the Koran's decrees toward Jews, Christians, and other Infidels, explaining how they were viewed in Muhammad's time, what they've supposedly done wrong, and most important, what the Koran has in store for them.Homosexuality in Islam: Critical Reflection on Gay, Lesbian, and Transgender Muslims
By Scott Siraj al-Haqq Kugle. 2010
Homosexuality is anathema to Islam - or so the majority of both believers and non-believers suppose. Throughout the Muslim world,…
it is met with hostility, where state punishments range from hefty fines to the death penalty. Likewise, numerous scholars and commentators maintain that the Qur'an and Hadith rule unambiguously against same-sex relations. This pioneering study argues that there is far more nuance to the matter than most believe. In its narrative of Lot, the Qur'an could be interpreted as condemning lust rather homosexuality. While some Hadith are fiercely critical of homosexuality, some are far more equivocal. One even appears to actively endorse love between men. This is the first book length treatment to offer a detailed analysis of how Islamic scripture, jurisprudence, and Hadith, can not only accommodate a sexually sensitive Islam, but actively endorse it. Scott Kugle is the first Muslim to publish widely on the issue of homosexuality and Islam. An independent research scholar in Islamic studies, he has previously held positions at Duke University, the University of Cape Town, and Swarthmore College.Islamic Philosophy: A Beginner's Guide (Beginner's Guides #8)
By Majid Fakhry. 2011
From the introduction of Greek Philosophy into the Muslim world in the eighth century, right through to modern times, Majid…
Fakhry charts the evolution and interaction of philosophy, theology, and mysticism in the Islamic context. Highlighting key individuals, movements, concepts and writings, Fakhry also explores the conflicts and controversies between anti- and pro-philosophical parties that have characterised the development of Islamic thought. Majid Fakhry is Emeritus Professor of Philosophy at the Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding, Georgetown University, Washington DC.A History of Islamic Societies
By Ira Lapidus. 1988
This new edition of one of the most widely used course books on Islamic civilizations around the world has been…
substantially revised to incorporate the new scholarship and insights of the last twenty-five years. Ira Lapidus' history explores the beginnings and transformations of Islamic civilizations in the Middle East and details Islam's worldwide diffusion. The history is divided into four parts. Part I is a comprehensive account of pre-Islamic late antiquity; the beginnings of Islam; the early Islamic empires; and Islamic religious, artistic, legal and intellectual cultures. Part II deals with the construction in the Middle East of Islamic religious communities and states to the fifteenth century. Part III includes the history to the nineteenth century of Islamic North Africa and Spain; the Ottoman, Safavid and Mughal empires; and other Islamic societies in Asia and Africa. Part IV accounts for the impact of European commercial and imperial domination on Islamic societies and traces the development of the modern national state system and the simultaneous Islamic revival from the early nineteenth century to the present.The New Cambridge History of Islam
By Robert W. Hefner. 2010
Unparalleled in its range of topics and geographical scope, the sixth and final volume of The New Cambridge History of…
Islam provides a comprehensive overview of Muslim culture and society since 1800. Robert Hefner's thought-provoking account of the political and intellectual transformation of the Muslim world introduces the volume, which proceeds with twenty-five essays by luminaries in their fields through a broad range of topics. These include developments in society and population, religious thought and Islamic law, Muslim views of modern politics and economics, education and the arts, cinema and new media. The essays, which highlight the diversity and richness of Islamic civilization, engage with regions outside the Middle East as well as within Islam's historic heartland. Narratives are clear and absorbing and will fascinate all those curious about the momentous changes that have taken place among the world's 1. 4 billion Muslims in the last two centuries.The First Muslim
By Lesley Hazleton. 2013
The extraordinary life of the man who founded Islam, and the world he inhabited--and remade. Muhammad's was a life of…
almost unparalleled historical importance; yet for all the iconic power of his name, the intensely dramatic story of the prophet of Islam is not well known. In The First Muslim, Lesley Hazleton brings him vibrantly to life. Drawing on early eyewitness sources and on history, politics, religion, and psychology, she renders him as a man in full, in all his complexity and vitality. Hazleton's account follows the arc of Muhammad's rise from powerlessness to power, from anonymity to renown, from insignificance to lasting significance. How did a child shunted to the margins end up revolutionizing his world? How did a merchant come to challenge the established order with a new vision of social justice? How did the pariah hounded out of Mecca turn exile into a new and victorious beginning? How did the outsider become the ultimate insider? Impeccably researched and thrillingly readable, Hazleton's narrative creates vivid insight into a man navigating between idealism and pragmatism, faith and politics, nonviolence and violence, rejection and acclaim. The First Muslim illuminates not only an immensely significant figure but his lastingly relevant legacy.The Venture of Islam, Volume 1: The Classical Age of Islam
By Marshall G. S. Hodgson. 1961
Haféz: Teachings of the Philosopher of Love
By Haleh Pourafzal, Roger Montgomery. 2004
An exploration of the Persian poet’s spiritual philosophy, with original translations of his poetry • Features extensive insight into the…
meanings and contexts of the poetry and philosophies of this spiritual teacher• Includes over 30 complete poems by Haféz, including “The Wild Deer,” often regarded as his masterpieceFor 600 years the Persian poet Haféz has been read, recited, quoted, and loved by millions of people in his homeland and throughout the world. Like his predecessor Rumi, he is a spiritual guide in our search for life’s essence. Haféz is both a mystic philosopher and a heartfelt poet of desires and fears.Haféz: Teachings of the Philosopher of Love is the perfect introduction to the man known as the philosopher of love, whose message of spiritual transcendence through rapture and service to others is especially important to our troubled world. His wisdom speaks directly to the cutting edge of philosophy, psychology, social theory, and education and can serve as a bridge of understanding between the West and the Middle East, two cultures in desperate need of mutual empathy.My Neighbour's Faith
By John Azumah. 2008
Nowhere else in the world have both Islam and Christianity been more instrumental in shaping the history of a people…
and their way of life than in Africa. African Muslims and Christians have a lot in common, including kinship ties, shared languages and citizenship. Yet, despite the centuries of deep historical links and harmonious existence between the two religions, new challenges threaten this harmony. Conflicts involving Christians and Muslims in places like Sudan, Nigeria and Ivory Coast are common. These conflicts are fueled primarily by ignorance, stereotyping and prejudice, which in turn breed fear, suspicion and even hatred, in some cases leading to violence. My Neighbour's Faith sheds light on the beliefs and teaching of Islam by addressing matters of contemporary importance to Christians and the wider non-Muslim audience. It presents the human face of Islam---the face of a close relative, a neighbour, a teacher and even a head of state---in a balanced and critical way that gives a credible view of Islam.Muslims in Putin's Russia
By Simona E. Merati. 2017
This book offers a novel interpretation of Russian contemporary discourse on Islam and its influence on Russian state policies. It…
shifts the analytical perspective from the discussion about Russia's Islam as a potential security threat to a more comprehensive view of the relationships of Muslims with Russia as a state and a civilization. The work demonstrates how many Muslims increasingly express a sense of belonging to Russia and are increasingly willing to contribute to state building processes.Islam and Nation: Separatist Rebellion in Aceh, Indonesia
By Edward Aspinall. 2009
Between 1976 and 2005 the Free Aceh Movement (Gerakan Aceh Merdeka, or GAM) waged a protracted secessionist struggle against the…
Indonesian state in the name of Acehnese nationalism. In this study, Espinall (political science and social change, Australian National U. , Australia) conducts an analysis of the origins and development of Acehnese nationalism. He stresses the role of agency, particularly the actions and views of the founder of GAM, Hasan di Tiro; later Acehnese nationalists who came to challenge some of his views; and political actors from Aceh's Indonesian political establishment. He also stresses three central aspects of context: the institutional context of state formation; the international context that shaped the discourse of Acehnese actors, including Acehnese experiences of exile and international law discourses of self-determination; and factors of social context such as kinship networks, ideas about masculinity, and socioeconomic structures. A further major theme is the relationship between Islam and nationalism. Annotation ©2009 Book News, Inc. , Portland, OR (booknews. com)In the Time of Oil
By Mandana E. Limbert. 2010
Before the discovery of oil in the late 1960s, Oman was one of the poorest countries in the world, with…
only six kilometers of paved roads and one hospital. By the late 1970s, all that had changed as Oman used its new oil wealth to build a modern infrastructure. In the Time of Oil describes how people in Bahla, an oasis town in the interior of Oman, experienced this dramatic transformation following the discovery of oil, and how they now grapple with the prospect of this resource's future depletion. Focusing on shifting structures of governance and new forms of sociality as well as on the changes brought by mass schooling, piped water, and the fracturing of close ties with East Africa, Mandana Limbert shows how personal memories and local histories produce divergent notions about proper social conduct, piety, and gendered religiosity. With close attention to the subtleties of everyday life and the details of archival documents, poetry, and local histories, Limbert provides a rich historical ethnography of oil development, piety, and social life on the Arabian Peninsula.I Speak for Myself
By Maria M Ebrahimji, Zahra T Suratwala. 2011
Muslim American women are the subject of endless discussions regarding their role in society, their veils as symbols of oppression…
or of freedom, their identity, their patriotism, their womanhood. Yet the voices and life experiences of Muslim American women themselves are rarely heard in the loud rhetoric surrounding the question of Muslims in America. Finally, in I Speak for Myself, 40 American women under the age of 40, share their experiences of their lives as Muslim women in America. While their commonality is faith and citizenship, their voices and their messages are very different. Readers of I Speak for Myself are presented with a kaleidoscope of stories, artfully woven together around the central idea of limitlessness and individuality. A common theme linking these intimate self-portraits will be the way each woman uniquely defies labeling, simply by defining for herself what it means to be American and Muslim and female. Each personal story is a contribution to the larger narrative of life stories and life work of a new generation of Muslim women.There are approximately six million Muslims living in the United States and over one billion around the world. While the events of 9/11 certainly engaged Americans with the religion of Islam, many enduring stereotypes continue to belittle the Muslim American experience; this often leads to a monolithic interpretation of Islam. Such a treatment is especially inappropriate when reflecting on the Muslim American identity, which is by far one of the most culturally, ethnically, and socially diverse of any in the Islamic world. Women of the Muslim community in America could be described as both patriots and practitioners (of faith). Their experiences call for a body of literature that reflects how they celebrate and live Islam in distinctive ways.In the wake of the current rising tide of Islamophobia (see Time Magazine, Aug. 30, 2010), I Speak for Myself is a must read for Americans seeking understanding of Islam from young women who were all born in the USA.