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One of the most pressing questions of our time is what went wrong in the relationship between Muslims and the West. Continuing global violence in the name of Islam reflects the deepest fears by certain Muslim factions of Western political, cultural, and economic encroachment. The solution requires finding common ground upon which to build mutual respect and understanding. Who better to offer such an analysis than an American Imam, someone with a foot in each world and the tools to examine the common roots of both Western and Muslim cultures; someone to explain to the non-Islamic West not just what went wrong with Islam, but What's Right with Islam.

American Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf's mosque was only twelve blocks from the World Trade Center when it was attacked on September 11. In the aftermath, finding a common ground between his country and his religion became a personal quest. He began by looking back to a time before such divisions, back to our common ancestor, Abraham. Jews, Christians, and Muslims all claim Abraham as their patriarch, and the ethic this forebear imparted is an ethic still shared by all three traditions. Imam Rauf skillfully traces the evolution of these foundational beliefs through the golden age of Islam in medieval Cordoba and Baghdad, as well as the development of democratic and capitalist principles in the West.

In stark contrast to thinkers such as Samuel P. Huntington and Bernard Lewis, who suggest the crisis is in Islam itself, Imam Rauf argues that what went wrong is the relationship between the Muslim world and the West. He offers a basis for rebuilding that relationship by arguing that Islamic principles actually support the fundamental values of a pluralistic, free society, uncovering the promise of a Muslim form of democratic capitalism within the Qur'an, the stories and traditions of the Prophet Muhammad, and Islamic Law. Focused on finding solutions, not on determining fault, this is ultimately a hopeful and inspiring book.

Born to a long line of religious luminaries, Imam Rauf brings his extensive study of the sacred scriptures of Islam, along with his talent for storytelling and analysis, to bear on one of the most complex and critically important topics facing our world today. By tracing common philosophical roots and religious values, acknowledging the contributions of American democracy and Western capitalism, and by showing what Islamic culture can bring to a new reunion with the West, WHAT'S RIGHT WITH ISLAM systematically lays out the reasons for the current dissonance between these cultures and offers a foundation and plan for improved relations. Wide-ranging in scope, WHAT'S RIGHT WITH ISLAM elaborates in satisfying detail a vision for a Muslim world that can eventually embrace its own distinctive forms of democracy and capitalism, aspiring to a New Cordoba -- a time when Jews, Christians, Muslims, and all other faith traditions will live together in peace and prosperity. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (22)

Typical PC Propoganda
This is the typical sugary PC nonsense that lefty liberals love. It presents a false picture of Islamic history and ideology. It makes one wonder if Spencer isn't right about "stealth Jihad." It certainly reinforces the head in the sand attitude of the "useful idiots" that have become instant Middle East experts. Don't waste yourtime and money!

Five Stars for...
clearly demonstrating why islam should be examined in as fine detail as Christianity and Judaism. Rauf paints a portrait of the islamic mind which measures the non-muslim world from a position of superiority.

Plato's back. Be afraid.
Gound Zero nonsense aside, I have to say that this is one of the most ooey-gooey, badly written, patronizing, craven books on Islam yet. Its thesis: the Clash of Civilizations isn't necessary, because we have SO much in common. When the Abrahamic ethic, or "Judaeo-Christian tradition," developed in the ancient world, Moslems were ultimately blessed to realize the full profundity and infinite extent of God's law: sharia. Since God made everything, sharia can be found everywhere! (Plato' "Republic," anyone?) Sadly, in the West, sharia wandered into the weeds for a bit, yet even here you can see sharia. Rauf ruminates on Dawkins' ruminations on sociobiology, which prove that nature is sharia-compliant (as is, presumably, Dawkins himself -- he'll be pleased to know this). The Constitution? Founded on the Abrahamic ethic of love, and hence sharia-compliant (though "The Federalist," which Rauf's clearly never read, contains not one reference to The Bible, but a TON of quotes from the Greco-Roman classics, which he's also never read). The separation of powers concept is really brilliant, which makes it Islamic (though the idea really comes from Aristotle's "Politics," the only work of the canon that was never translated into Arabic, so Rauf's not likely to have read it either.) Gee -- you can just TELL the Godliness of the Constitution -- it's proven by a quote from Nino Scalia (who in real life undoubtedly loathes Rauf's bleedin' guts)! The reason we need Rauf to tell us this is that, of late, the West has been assaulted by Militant Secularism (which Rauf can't distinguish from atheism, but neither can Pat Robertson), but the sooner wer disregard these people (who presumably include Aristotle himself, Ayaan Hirsi Ali, Ibn Warraq, and -- lest we forget -- Salman Rushdie, all available on Amazon and all more honest writers) the sooner we'll become REALY sharia-compliant, and we'll all live happily ever after. Clearly, this is Sayyid Qutb Lite. Regrettably, Rauf ignores the fact that the theocratic tendencies of Islam have caused far more suffering among Jews and Christians than vice versa (by the way -- what WERE those Moors doing in the south of France? And just why did they massacre the Jews of Granada?) and that Moslems are still dipping ther hands merrily in each others' blood. And try looking up the word "apostasy" the index. It isn't there, of course -- guess why. Ignore this book. It's junk.

Are you kidding me. . ?
From page 111 of Feisal Abdul Rauf's book, "What's Right with Islam"

"It also would not be a violation of church-state separation to have a subsidiary entity within the judiciary that employs religious jurists from diverse religious backgrounds to comment on the compliance of certain decisions with their religious views and to provide guidance to their religious communities on how kosher or Shariah compliant these decisions are. ' - Feisal Abdul Rauf

There is so much more insanity in this book. From Muslims didn't commit 9/11, to calling Qaradawi a respected scholar, to the convoluted analogies, and false equivalencies-it is the work of a mad man.

Everyone should read this book. Rauf is absolutely insane.

Spread the word.

Great book buy!
Well written and informative book.Thanks for such a great buy with quick delivery in safe packaging from seller.Thanks again for your service.Suzy ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (25)

Struggle of Immigrants with Islams Teachings of Ecumenical Spirit whileLiving in the Western Context
it samples out key figures that are caught in the web of the struggle and identity of Isams presentation in the US, post and pre-9/11. while it is important to note, who he actually lists in the work, i also wondered why he left certain folks out.

these are the main strands of thought worked out in the work

i. the first Arab American Community in Dearbon, the integration of politics within the larger context of pre and post 9-11 antics of GWB and Gore. i found it to be a very learning experience, since the Dearbon Community as much as it is known for it's shi'ite presence, there was and over-whelming opposition from the community at large against the War in Iraq. the man iconed in the work is one who manages an Arab news paper

ii. the second is an african American muslim Imam, his struggles in the pre and post 9-11 world in the back drop of the City of Brooklyn, NY! while the imam has said training in KSA, his literalist interpration of the Quran, ties with the blind Sheikh, and the persual of the law enforcement agencies in making him accomplice to acts of terrorism are discussed at length.

more importantly the much much positive aspect of the work is the blend of african american self-reliance, combined with the faith that Islam gives them in terms of dignity and self-respect, and the ways to inculcate a way of living that dignifies them is truly remark-able as exemplified in the speeches of this imam.

iii. a focus on one scholar - who has perhaps written extensively and literally exposed the literal and fundamentalist understanding of Islam, aka, palace Fundamentalism/Wahabi Islam (from Fatima Mernissi) - speaks of his individual journey, from the streets of Cairo, to that of Yale, Princeton, UCLA, and then back to the Egypt and to a certain extent the torture chambers of the Egyptian Government. the authors intent is to simply amplify that Islam always has had diversity in the past, and as such the narrow path trodden by current day Wahabis is an affront to what 1400 years of scholarship has given Islam

iv. the Sufi - perhaps the most detested group among Immigrant and not to forget Wahabi muslims. it all begins from CA, and highlights the struggles of ecumenism that many Sufi muslims who are close to this practice of Islam face, when they want to set up their own centres. not to forget the apolitical and hyperboles used by Sufis in describing other muslims, not just Wahabi muslims has caused a great ire among other muslim Groups

v. then a web Master, a Ph.D student from KSA, who gets caught up in the web of the governments hunt for tracking down terrorists and terrorist activities.

discusses the freedom of speech, within the context of "speech it-self" and the "speech encouraging agitation and civil un-rest".

governments failuture to understand the boundaries between the two has caused much grief, dis-trust and a psyche that lends lesser and lesser credibility to the words of the GWB and the govt Institutions, let alone an avoidance of sorts for the fear of being caught up in their web of deceit. the then, Attorney General Ashcroft, the Patriot Act are discussed at length. in the authors word, muslims love US, but distrust US Foreign Policy

vi. tracing the roots of an arab student, who comes to study in the US and whose MSA is funded and supported by KSA. their extreme views shrouded in the agony of a defeatist mentality, ascribing epithets like pigs and swines and Jews and Christians during friday Sermons. i have observed this quite often, having been through several institutions in the US, to the point that i stopped attending friday prayers and would rather find Sufi or other work places where muslims would form smaller friday prayer groups

vii. lastly, a muslim feminist, who fights for her right to pray along muslim men within the same room - at least in the back, as opposed to be confined in the narrow quarters of a dingy room, served food later.

i will say that the author is extremely, extremely critical of immigrants (and rightly so), and particulary the mindsets of immigrants who put them-selves on the pedestals of leadership owing to their technical or medical degrees. the arab Students are particular singled out, since they bring the roots of this fundamentalist mindset, and are by and large put to the forefront since they arew able to speak arabic.

the author does maintain, that muslims need to take owner-ship of the views that are prevelant among them. the London 7/7 bombings defy any claim that there are non Western Islamic elements involved. these are home grown

yet at the same time he is critical of the policies of the administration, the witch hunts (read the Time article!) of the government institutions, GWB failure to criticize the ilks of Falwell, Robertson when they criticize Islam/Muhammad, not to forget the Crusadic Comments from the higher echelons of Pentagon leadership as portraying this as a Jesus vs Muhammad battle. not even a slap on the wrist.

enjoy the work - i purposely left the names out, to offer some anticipation

Good book about moderate Muslims
This book gives profiles of various moderate Muslim figures in the US. This book is long overdue. Being a Muslim myself, I was eager to see moderate Muslims being given as in-depth a look as al-Qaeda has received. Barrett did not disappoint.

This book is extremely well written and accessible. Barrett takes pains to present all the good and bad about each figure. These portraits are not always positive, but they are true. It is much more compelling to see a three dimensional picture than just one side of the argument. This book ends up being a balanced view. It is not sycophantic like the books by most Muslims, nor as unduly harsh as most of the books written by non-Muslims. A great job.

I think books like this one will go a long way towards repairing the image of Islam in America.

American Islam: The Struggle for the Soul of a Religion
American Islam: The Struggle for the Soul of a Religion by Paul Barrett is a compilation of true accounts of practicing Muslims in American society relating their distinct relationship to their identity as Muslim Americans, the struggle to define it and keep it alive. Barrett's theme within his book is most evident in the introduction when he poses the question: "What, for Muslims is a normal American life?" When reading each vignette, consider this question as a constant point of reference, for each person of the vignette comes to tension with it.

With about 6 million people in the United States, Muslim culture, for Barrett, is a web of creeds and cultures from "immigrant to native, devout and secular, moderate and radical, integrated and isolated" (5). The 7 different vignettes of the story tell of the individuals from those different cultures reconciling and balancing their views of Islam with their American lives. The varying foci of the vignettes in the book demonstrate the intricacies of this web within Islam, though being ones who contend for their faith and stand up against injustices where they are revealed.

The book was interesting for some stories, while others were particularly hard to generate sincere interest. Nonetheless, American Islam: The Struggle for the Soul of a Religion, seperates itself from general history or cultural books about Islam, since it follows specific stories of American Muslims and how they are affected by the changing world around them. Reccomended for those who perfer to learn from others' experiences.

IWS266
American Islam: The Struggle for the Soul of a Religion, by Paul M. Barrett, is an attempt to address how Muslim American live Islam. He interviews Muslims across America and chooses seven for this book. He writes about the lives of these seven "representative" people. "Representative" in that they demonstrate what he thinks are the most compelling issues in Muslim American communities. He interviews a publisher, scholar, imam, feminist, mystics, webmaster, and activists to get answers. Barrett says, "what one sees today in American mosques and Muslim homes, in Islamic centers and on university campuses is nothing less than a struggle for the soul of a religion" (P.13). He shows how each individual represents the faith of Islam.

American Islam Review by Amanda Smith

Since 9/11 the focus of the American people has been turned towards that of its ever growing Muslim population. From immigrant to convert, the American Muslim community has long been misunderstood and under evaluated. Perceived by some as a threat to the values that America holds dear, American Muslim citizens have faced adversity and discrimination for years from their non-Muslim neighbors and even criticism from their Muslim counterparts.
In American Islam, the author Paul Barrett succeeds at shedding light on the American Muslim population's intentions, hopes and everyday life in a country that they call home but is not so willing to accept them just yet.In the opening of his book Barrett asks, "What for Muslims is a normal life?"The author investigates this question by interviewing seven Muslims who live and work in the United States. In this non-fiction work Barrett explores the complexities in American Muslims lives between Sunni and Shiite, African American and Arab, Man and Woman. He delves into their innermost thoughts on Islamic fundamentalism, terrorism, discrimination and the government body that rules them. From Asra Nomani, a female American Muslim who fights for gender equality in and out of her mosque community to Sami Omar al-Hussayen, a graduate student in Idaho who subsequently gets deported after being accused of supporting terrorists, Barrett unfailingly reports honestly and if at times bluntly on the trials and tribulations that Muslims face in their lives in America.
Written comprehensively and at times eloquently, Barrett weaves between depicting the diverse lives of seven people he titles the Publisher, the Scholar, the Imam, the Feminist, the Mystics, the Webmaster, and the Activists. Through out the chapters Barrett provides relevant historical and empirical evidence explaining the different organizations and backgrounds that the people mention in their interviews. At times intensely captivating, the author allows the reader to momentarily step into the shoes of certain characters and feel themselves disenchanted or encouraged by the emotions of the person they are reading about. An example of this would be when The Publisher, Osama Siblani struggles with the idea of a group called the Seeds of Peace hosting an Israeli former Prime Minister in the heart of Dearborn Michigan a predominate beacon of Arab unity. The group aims to create peace between Palestinian and Israeli youth, which Siblani agrees with but he sees inviting the former Prime Minister, who during his term shelled a UN compound killing two Dearborn youth who were visiting, as an outright slap in the face of the Arab community. Due to Barrett's outstanding information retrieval skills the reader can feel Siblani's outrage and understand both sides of the issue in an informed way.
This book is a remarkable work that seems to bridge the gap between a non-Muslim understanding of Islam and that of its Muslim followers and their brothers and sisters. In the book market previous to the publication of this book one would be hard up to find a work that not only encompassed relevant historical information about Islam but also current personal depictions of real Muslims living in America and their views on the system that provides them freedom yet also relinquishes it. Barrett suggests and proves that the lives of the American Muslims in his book are very similar to their non-Muslim neighbors and that they harbor the same concerns and worries that every human being has. Barrett does an amazing job at proposing the idea that Islam does not rule Muslims every waking moment and thought, as many non-Muslims would chose to believe, but that Islam in these peoples lives supplements their way of life and their way of connecting to a higher power.
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Customer Reviews (77)

A must read for all Westerners. It should end the apologetics for theological tyranny.
I read this book and I have studied Islam in the context of a conversion exercise. When I said no, I was promised death by my caring muslim "friend". I was only somewhat surprised because I went through the cult experience myself. I joined a cult when I was young, and I am so very glad that the cult I joined was peaceful and the doctrine was good. The leader became obviously barking mad over years, and I got out after 10 years "inside" and about 10 years with one foot inside. Curiously, one of the things that helped me get out was that we were encouraged to study the beliefs of literally hundreds of other religions and mystical paths. It was a good education that way.

So I understand exactly how hard it is to deal with a hermetically sealed society and I know very well what people do with doctrine. When I read Koran and studied the life of mohamed and accounts from his intimates I was absolutely appalled. It was crystal clear to me then that war, secret murder, and apocalyptic violence is what this doctrine specified. Another serious difference is that Koran is unlike every other religious literature I read.

Most religious literature is stories and talking about god, philosophy, that sort of thing. Koran is a book of commandments and that is most of it. It has very little else to it. Ha'dith and Sira are the stories.

Reading Hadith and Sira is a scorching experience. It is like descending into the mind of pure evil to read what mohamed did. It affected me so much that I refuse to capitalize his name again.

So reading this book, I understood clearly what Dr. Sultan was talking about. She is absolutely right. The problem of the muslim world, the problem of the middle east, is islam, period. The core problem of islam is mohamed. What mohamed did was evil and that is all there is to say. The cult that he created remains.

Everyone in the West (everyone in the middle east also) must face this. And our news media and politicians need to quit fooling themselves and making up fairy tales about islam. Islam is a menace, period. Islam must be faced down, called what it is, and the media must never stop doing it.

Very informative
I just received the book 2 days ago and finished it this afternoon.It is really a great book.It should be read by all americans, but especially by women.This gives really great insight into the realities of being a woman in an islamic society.The author has the advantage of being a medical doctor who has practiced in both Syria and the United States and has training in psychiatry.It is very important.

Bill Stenwick
Auburn, CA

A Brave Woman Speaks Out
A great little book for those seeking to better understand the Muslim religion and its historical links to Arab culture. The book is largely autobiographical and should be read by any Westerner who is puzzled by the civilized world's inability to moderate the various barbarous practices and beliefs of Muslims, particularly Arabs.Although the author is not an accomplished writer, she is indeed courageous and her stories are chilling and instructive.

A MUST read
This was writen by someone who knows and understands the Muslim world. Great insight and a real eye opener. Helped me to understand more about their world and answered alot of questions I had.

A heart-wretching read
Bravo to Walfa and other ex-Muslim women like her who have the utmost courage to expose Islam for what it truly is -- first a violent military system at its core, then a political system to keep its military system going, a legal system to keep the military system in check, all neatly wrapped in a blanket of religion to promote Sharia all over the world.

She has literally put her life on the line to tell her story so others could be warned. I have no idea what it is like for her to be under the constant threat of death by those "peace loving" Islamists.

This is a must read for all those who think Islam is benign.

Wake up Americabefore we slip into Europes' mistakes. A great read on this is "While Europe Slept". ... Read more

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An increasing number of American women are embracingIslam-already over one million converts. These are modern Americanwomen born and brought up in America to non-Muslim parents. They havejourneyed down the path of Islam without giving up their Americanheritage and found liberation and self-actualization by becomingMuslims.

This book presents the personal accounts of six American Muslim womenwho have been kind enough to share their first-person stories of thewinding roads they traveled en route to embracing Islam.In givingtheir personal portrayals of their individual journeys to Islam, someof these sisters-in-Islam have publicly proclaimed far more abouttheir personal lives than they normally would be willing to share. Inessence, they have sacrificed some of their personal privacy, as wellas some of their normal reticence and modesty about their personal andprivate lives. "Being American sisters-in-Islam does not mean that we are any lesszealous than other Americans in cherishing our rights as Americans,and it does not mean that we are any less patriotic…

What the authors of the following chapters share with other modern women in America is immense, and cannot be easily overstated… However, despite all the things that we share with our fellow Americans who are non-Muslims, what we have come to share with our worldwide sisters-in-Islam is especially sweet and appealing. While each of us remains an American, we are Americans who have joined a very special and caring sisterhood that transcends biological inheritance, personal genetics, ethnicity, race, and socioeconomic status.We have come to understand and to love the fact that what is important is individual righteousness, not superfluous considerations of language, skin color, ethnicity, etc."Debra Dirks. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (8)

Absolutely Outstanding!
This book really hit home!It provides insight and understanding into the great faith of Islam,with real stories that any woman can relate to.It answers the "why" question for many formerly Christian women.I recommend this book to anyone who is new to the faith, thinking about Islam, or for those Christians who really don't understand why their friend or family member has chosen Islam.

A wonderful, realistic read!
Alhamdullilah! Finally someone has come forth to share their stories!. This book is not about Immigrant muslim ladies but rather is the tale and testimony of six American born sisters and their conversion to Islam. This is the story of the struggles, successes, apiritual enlighnenmant and journey from the dark into the light of peace and clean worship. No it is not easy being a minority muslim in a otherwies dominant culture. I recommend this book to new reverts, People investigating our faith and those who just are interested in knowing more about Islam and the lives of some muslim women. may God watch over you for reading this!

alright!!!
This is an awesome book. Finally, a voice for us when everyone else in the world is trying to speak for us.
Alhamdullilah, people see that no matter what governments are doing, wars being fought, people threatening, Islam is always there for us and you can choose to follow its straight path. It does not stop you from working, being happy, having a family and friends, from pursuing your dreams.
Inshallah, we will get great Muslims in the spotlight educating each other and making the world better and then show everyone how great and true we are, instead of looking to terrorists.
Then again, they will probably ignore and plug their ears in disbelief.... sigh

Wonderful book!
I really loved reading this book.The sisterhood of Islam was evident in the lives of these women.Alhamdulilah!

Unbiased reader
If anyone is interested in the lives of Muslim people and want to know why they became Muslims, this is a book that must be read. This book offers insights on the type of lives a fewAmerican Muslim women live and the kind of challenges they face as they try to raise Muslim families in predominatly non-Muslim environments. ... Read more

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Much more is happening behind the scenes in the Middle East than the media has revealed, leaving America unprepared and unprotected. In this book, Reza Safa, a former Shiite Muslim and a recognized authority on Islamic issues, highlights the past and current Islamic issues in a way that will make readers sit up and take notice.

Safa chronicles what god is doing in the Islamic world, including Iran, where thousands of former faithful Muslims are converting to Christianity. The Coming Fall of Islam and Iran portrays a hope of a great future in the Middle East. This book will show readers how Iran is the first Muslim nation where a mass nationwide exodus is taking place among the Muslims, even as Islamic radicalism grows rapidly. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Rambling but often fascinating.
Unfortunately, most of this book is NOT about the subjects it claims to be about.Safa rambles on all kinds of subjects -- the history of Iran, giving the government advice over how to deal with Palestine, biblical interpretation. Sometimes Safa makes pretty good sense; a lot of times he sounds like your average pontificating electrician or car salesman -- or preacher, which is what he is.

The history of Iran was actually pretty good, a fair and useful assessment of the role the US played in the 1953 coup that Iranians remain peeved about.Safa provides quotes from people like Khomeini, which shows what they really think.It was also good to learn more about Christianity in Iran, though I didn't think Safa gave enough details.

But Safa is inconsistent and unpersuasive in what he thinks the US should DO.He insists that his ministry has proven that Christianity is a better solution to radical Islam than the military, because he's converted two suicide bombers, out of 10,000.I don't follow the logic.Nor do I see grounds, with maybe one in a thousand Iranians having come to Christ, to be as triumphalistic as Safa is -- exciting as this breakthrough is.And I wish he'd talk more about repentance and changed lives, and a little less about dreams, which he discusses without a trace of objectivity.

Nor is the book terribly well-written.

All in all, I think Safa needs a more demanding editor.

Safa's Optimism
Reza Safa is confident that even in spite of Islamic opposition, more and more Iranians will opt for Christianity. His book is an interesting read. He recounts how Islam came to his native Iran and how it will go. "As a former radical Shi'ite Muslim" Reza shatters some common misconceptions about Islam, for example that Islam is a peaceful religion. Considering that Islam "is a totalitarian system in its fullest meaning" Reza poses a fascinating possibility about its demise, much as the demise of Comunism. I thoroughly enjoyed his book, and I recommend it. ... Read more

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The Middle Ages were a period of tremendous cultural and scientific advancement in the Islamic Empire—ideas and inventions that shaped our world. 
Did you know that:
• The numbers you use every day (Arabic numerals!) are a Muslim invention?
• The marching band you hear at football games has its roots in the Middle East?
• You are drinking orange juice at breakfast today thanks to Islamic farming innovations?
• The modern city's skyline was made possible by Islamic architecture?

The Muslim world has often been a bridge between East and West, but many of Islam's crucial innovations are hidden within the folds of history. In this important book, Bryn Barnard uses short, engaging text and gorgeous full-color artwork to bring Islam's contributions gloriously to life.  Chockful of information and pictures, and eminently browsable, The Genius of Islam is the definitive guide to a fascinating topic. ... Read more

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Interesting expat perspective
All I'll say is that the author had the patience (or stubborn-ness!) of a saint! After reading about her experiences with the religious police, what tourist would WANT to go there if they could?

Behind the Veil:An Australian nurse in Saudi Arabia
Lydia Laube in her adventures "Behind the Veil:An Australian nurse in Saudi Arabia" has captured the essence of her experience.She begins by taking the reader on her journey, as she enters Saudi Arabia as atravel nurse on a one year contract assignment.Her love of adventureshines through as she relates to the reader the unique culture shock andcustoms of this closed country.Her story, for many travelers will be allthat they may experience of this oil rich nation that does not admittourists.Laube successfully pulls the reader into the very essence of theculture, language and customs of the Muslim daily life.She candidlyshares the challenges of health care in a nation, plagued by ineffieciency,where women have no rights, censorship is the norm and capital punishmentis strickly enforced.Laube remains strong with determination to improveher surroundings, and the level of care at this hospital, a challengeespecially as a woman in a culture that does not respect women.She sharesthe triumphs and sorrows of daily life.Laube relates the misfortunes ofexpatriates from the Philippines, Sudan, India, Korea and Europeancountries and of recruiting agencies misguided promises.Laube's candidbook is a must read for every nurse or health care professional consideringa term in Saudi Arabia.Also an excellent resource for expatriatesplanning a term of service. ... Read more

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Islam, argues Akbar S. Ahmed, does not mean the subordination of women, contempt for other religions, opposition to the modern world or 'barbaric' punishments for petty crime. Yet outsiders can learn to appreciate the beauty, depth and variety of Islamic tradition only by returning to its sources. Islam Today starts with the life of the Prophet Muhammad and the Qur'an's 'five pillars', which govern the beliefs and behaviour of Muslims everywhere. It goes on to show how the great Ottoman, Safavid and Mughal empires have deeply marked the successor states in Turkey, Iran, Pakistan and India, and explores how the Muslim minorities in the West struggle to maintain their identities and ideals in uncomprehending or hostile environments. Ahmed explores these issues with insight and sympathy, penetrating beyond the stereotypes to the realities of Islamic life. ... Read more

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A well-done job of presenting a complicated topic in 237 pgs...
In 237 pages, the author Akbar S. Ahmed, attempts to explain Islam, or moreso the religious-political world of Muslims today.It is a short introduction, and as I've not read anything else (yet) about this topic, it is somewhat difficult for me to review this book.It became very clear to this white, German-Irish American-born male that there is no 'one' Islam practiced in this world... and that those who identify as Muslim in this world can be very different from one another, depending on which country they live in whether it's in Europe, the Middle East, Far East or the United States.They actually can be very different from each other in the SAME community.But that should not be surprising since Jews and Christians throughout the world practice their faith and politics in many ways (many which are not peaceful and compassionate to each other, or to others).I can't image trying to sum up Christianity in 237 pages, and so I think Mr. Ahmed (who I've since seen speaking in PBS and History chanel documentaries on Islam) does a good job of 'painting in broad strokes' and giving you specific example, of how Islam is being lived out in various parts of the globe.Ahmed is a moderate (from what I can tell) and so I think he honestly voices justified criticism at both the Muslim world(s) and the Western Euro-American world(s).At times the book is a little 'cut and paste' in how the author draws from his other writing... and it can be a little dry here and there... but for the most part I found the subject matter to be interesting and well-presented.

Islam Today
Alittle out of date but a good overview of Islam.Does take the perspective of a Muslim in some cases puts a slant that does not fully tell the whole story.When the author mentions Muhammad's wives he tells how most were over forty but did not tell the age of his favorite wife who was extremely young when married.

You can find more intelligent analysis in YouTube comments
I recently finished studying Islam for a semester in university and picked up this book from a used book sale, thinking it might provide some interesting supplementary readings.I think it might be the only book I've ever wanted to throw away.

There is plenty of good information in here, but there is perhaps an equal amount of completely facile, generalized, unsubstantiated garbage.If you read this book you will probably quickly tire of reading "in the West..." or "Western media continually report that..." or "the West was jubilant."It seems a bit ridiculous to purport that a group of well over a billion people acts and feels entirely as one.It's equally ridiculous to lump all Muslims together, and the type of analysis in this book just perpetuates the tired "us vs. them" framework.

The book is also frustrating due to its intensely pro-Muslim stance.It is certainly important to have strong Muslim point of view, but not if we're going to rely on exaggerations, excuses, and false blanket statements to make it.

Here's an example, from page 146.We're under the header of "Islamic Punishment" - specifically, talking about rape cases.If you're expecting an intelligent defense of Islam on this one, you would probably be looking for something along the lines of "Islamic law has been, in some cases, used as a post-hoc justification for a pre-existing cultural marginalization of women."I would agree with that.But check out this:

"In the West the emphasis is on the law and the text, on the need to implement it and uphold it. The accused and society are secondary to this process.In many rape cases the victim suffers the ordeal again and again as an unsympathetic police force and judicial system drag the case on for months, sometimes with blatant scepticism towards the victim's story.In contrast, under Islamic law a decision is made immediately after witnesses have given their evidence.There is no hanging about, not postponements.Justice is accessible, swift, and visible."

No, that was not out of context.Can anyone honestly call this kind of stuff scholarly?This guy is a professor?

A little too Weekly Reader for me
The good news is that I have learned quite a bit of factual information about Islam, and gained some understanding and increased respect for this religion as a result of reading this book.

The bad news is that the Pollyanna-ish tone in discussion of some of the difficult issues undermines the author's credibility.While he does a clear job of explaining the facts of the Shia/Sunni split, for instance, he makes it sound as if this split is the subject of a polite debate over cups of tea, rather than a war fought with machine guns.I think this comes from a well-meaning desire to show a positive face to the non-Muslim world--something we Jews refer to as "Not in front of the goyim."

This wimping-out in the face of uncomfortable subjects reminds me of the cancer patient-education pamphlets I've seen: "Some patients may find that chemotherapy causes a certain degree of discomfort."

Really, I think my respect for Islam would be enhanced rather than reduced if the author portrayed the internal and external conflicts of this and other religions with the full depth of the passions that they engender.I can take it, Doc, just tell me the truth.

Muslim History from a Muslim Perspective
Akbar S. Ahmed lays out for the reader the history of Islam in a quick read.He spends time on Spain, Turkey, Iran, and India/Pakistan.He also obviously loves and admires his religion.This leads him to gloss over negative aspects of the regimes he writes about.Overall, an informative and interesting book with a definite bias. ... Read more

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African American Muslims and South Asian Muslim immigrants are two of the largest ethnic Muslim groups in the U.S. Yet there are few sites in which African Americans and South Asian immigrants come together, and South Asians are often held up as a "model minority" against African Americans. However, the American ummah, or American Muslim community, stands as a unique site for interethnic solidarity in a time of increased tensions between native-born Americans and immigrants.

This ethnographic study of African American and South Asian immigrant Muslims in Chicago and Atlanta explores how Islamic ideals of racial harmony and equality create hopeful possibilities in an American society that remains challenged by race and class inequalities. The volume focuses on women who, due to gender inequalities, are sometimes more likely to move outside of their ethnic Muslim spaces and interact with other Muslim ethnic groups in search of gender justice.

American Muslim Women explores the relationships and sometimes alliances between African Americans and South Asian immigrants, drawing on interviews with a diverse group of women from these two communities. Karim investigates what it means to negotiate religious sisterhood against America's race and class hierarchies, and how those in the American Muslim community both construct and cross ethnic boundaries.

American Muslim Women reveals the ways in which multiple forms of identity frame the American Muslim experience, in some moments reinforcing ethnic boundaries, and at other times, resisting them.

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Great read!
If you want to understand the complexities of the Muslim community, there is no better place to start than with this book. Ms. Karim did a wonderful job of capturing the nuances of race, class and gender in the Muslim community. ... Read more

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Race Bible and slavery
Was Ham African?This book tries to divinate the truth and the origin of the 'curse of Ham' since over the generations many have perverted the bible to show that the descendants of Ham were African and were also meant to be slaves.The truth is a little different.Just as Atalantic slavers used the exuse that africans were not human to enslave them thus Muslims likewise used the excuse that africans could be enslaved as pagans.But the Bible was simply used as an easy way to not feel guilty about slavery.The reality was that slavery was practiced not just against Africans and that the race of Africans had little to do with slavery.Rather the slave trade seems to have been so long and prosperous in Africa due to the Africans being active participants, the lack of a unified empire in Africa to oppose slavery and the lack of other sources of humans to serve as slaves.After all we know that Rome enslaved the Gauls and other europeans.But when Europe developed a strong state the only europeans open to being enslaved where those colonized by the Ottomans.Likewise the depopulation that followed the Islamic conquest of the middle east meant that slaves could not come from thos eregions.Slaves certainyl couldnt be transported out of China.Thus Africa became the meat market for human cruelty, the sickness of slavery that eventually consumed and destroyed african soceity.But among the warrior tribes such as the Zulu we do not see enslavement, why?Because they dared to raise the sword against the Perverts who came to buy their daughters into slavery.The 'curse of Ham' had little to do with Africa rather it had more to do with Humans and the weakness of the state.

Seth J. Frantzman ... Read more

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Muslim enclaves within non-Islamic polities are commonly believed to have been beleaguered communities undergoing relentless cultural and religious decline. Cut off from the Islamic world, these Muslim groups, it is assumed, passively yielded to political, social, and economic forces of assimilation and acculturation before finally accepting Christian dogma.

Kathryn A. Miller radically reconceptualizes what she calls the exclave experience of medieval Muslim minorities. By focusing on the legal scholars ( faqihs) of fifteenth-century Aragonese Muslim communities and translating little-known and newly discovered texts, she unearths a sustained effort to connect with Muslim coreligionaries and preserve practice and belief in the face of Christian influences. Devoted to securing and disseminating Islamic knowledge, these local authorities intervened in Christian courts on behalf of Muslims, provided Arabic translations, and taught and advised other Muslims. Miller follows the activities of the faqihs, their dialogue with Islamic authorities in nearby Muslim polities, their engagement with Islamic texts, and their pursuit of traditional ideals of faith. She demonstrates that these local scholars played a critical role as cultural mediators, creating scholarly networks and communal solidarity despite living in an environment dominated by Christianity.

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Popular hostility in Indonesia to US attacks on Afghanistan and Iraq seem easily understandable, as is the ambivalent attitude of Indonesian governments to the US-led war on terror. After all, Indonesia is the world's largest Muslim country. But this analysis fails to address the complexity of Indonesia. Much like in Turkey, military and bureaucratic elites since independence have worked to create a more secular nationalist Indonesian identity out of the country's multi-ethnic and multi-religious mix. However, often there has been tension between such a secularist course and elements of the majority Muslim population. This dynamic has especially shaped how Indonesia faces the outside world. Perwita explores Islam as a domestic political variable in Indonesia's foreign policy under Soeharto and argues that the foreign policy toward the Muslim world was increasingly based on domestic political struggles between local actors, particularly the Muslim community and the State.Chapters cover Indonesia's behaviour toward the Organization of the Islamic Conferences and the Middle East conflict, the role of Indonesia in facilitating a peaceful settlement of the conflict between the Phillippines government and the Moro National Liberation Front, and Indonesia's policy toward the war in Bosnia-Herzegovina. An epilogue discusses how Indonesian foreign policy is still shaped by the same forces. ... Read more

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Chapters: Islam in Chile, Latin American Muslims, Islam in Argentina, Islam in Trinidad and Tobago, Islam in Bolivia, Islam in Ecuador, Islam in Colombia, Islamic Organization of Latin America. Source: Wikipedia. Pages: 43. Not illustrated. Free updates online. Purchase includes a free trial membership in the publisher's book club where you can select from more than a million books without charge. Excerpt: Part of a series on The statistics for Islam in Chile estimate a total Muslim population of approximately 4000, representing less than .1% of the population. There are a number of Islamic organizations in Chile, including Sociedad Musulmana de Chile y Mezquita As-Salam ("Muslim Society of Chile and Masjid As-Salam") in Santiago de Chile, Mezquita Bilal ("Bilal Mosque") in Iquique and the Centro Cultural Mohammed VI ("Mohammed VI Cultural Center") in Coquimbo. According to Chronicles of the History of Chile by Aurelio Díaz Meza, there was a man in the expedition of discoverer Diego de Almagro, called Pedro de Gasco who was a morisco, or Moor from al-Andalus in Spain who was forced to convert from Islam to Catholicism. The coming of moriscos was covered by history but, recently scholars of Chilean history have started acknowledging the country's Moorish heritage and its effects on the development of Chilean culture and identity. It is known that in 1854 two Turks resided in the country, a situation that was repeated in the censuses of 1865 and 1875. Their country of origin is not known, just that they were natives of some territory of the immense Ottoman Empire, and this was followed two years later by the first major wave of Muslims to Chile began in 1856, with the arrival of Arab immigrants from the Ottoman Empire territories consisting of today's Syria, Lebanon and Palestine. According to the 1885 census, the number of Turks had risen to 29, but there is no precise information on their origin and their faith, since relig...More: http://booksllc.net/?id=4213650 ... Read more

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Interesting
They were out-of-stock but they sent me a refund right away and I was very happy with the quick feedback. Thanks for all your help. Hopefully I'll be able to buy the book again. ... Read more

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This volume and its companion, John Renard's 1996 book, SEVEN DOORS TO ISLAM, together integrate a wide range of Islamic literary and visual forms, offering a superb introduction to the primary religious sources, as well as a general understanding, of Islamic spirituality and culture. 66 illustrations. 1 map. ... Read more

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Islamic Thoughts
(from book's dustjacket): "Over the centuries and across the globe, Muslim authors and artists have given moving testimony to their experience of being members of the Islamic community. Their many vantage points came together in this collection, one that represents major Islamic groups from the past through the present and covers a range of themes essential to understanding Islamic spirituality and religious life. "Windows on the House of Islam" integrates a full range of literary and visual primary sources, representing major Islamic societies and communities from the past through the present, from Arabia to the United States, and covering a broad spectrum of themes essential to an understanding of Islamic spirituality and religious life. John Renard has united over seventy translations originating from a dozen languages-including Arabic, Persian, Chinese, and Indonesian-and contributed by over thirty of the world's top Islam scholars. In addition, more than five dozen illustrations thematically document a full range of artistic forms and historical periods, from ritual objects and architecture to manuscripts of religious texts. A companion volume to Seven Doors to Islam, Windows on the House of Islam is the first book of its kind to integrate such a wide range of literary and visual forms. It serves as both an introduction to Islamic religious primary sources as well as a supplement to general works on Islamic religion, spirituality, and culture. John Renard is the author of: In the Footsteps of Muhammad : Understanding Islamic Experience (1992), Islam and the Heroic Image : Themes in Literature and the Visual Arts (1993), and All the King's Falcons : Rumi on Prophets and Revelation (1994). He is Professor of Theological Studies at St. Louis University."

Diverse in its Scope
The book tried to tell the story of muslim civilization, culture, practices and belief through out the muslim world from the point of view of notable Muslims.. ... Read more

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Since the end of the Cold War, much media attention has focused on Islam as a disruption in the global order. Reporting Islam is a timely look at the ways in which Muslims are represented in British news media. Elizabeth Poole examines newspapers and actual accounts from readers, to explore how Muslims are demonized by the press. ... Read more