About the Book

For many non-Muslims, the terrorist attacks of 11 September 2001 in the US deepened an association of Islam with violence, despotism and suppression. They asked: Why are Muslims so violent? How can Islam justify the terrorism of al-Qaeda or the suicide bombers in Palestine? Why do Muslims ignore human and women’s rights? Have Muslims declared jihad (righteous struggle) against ‘Western infidels’?

But Muslims see Islam as about peace and justice. So what is ‘real Islam’? Sardar and Davies explain the concepts and the rich history of the Muslim world. But they also call for urgent reforms within Islam, and for the West to end its bigotry.

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Contents

Introduction

1. The Qur’an and Sirah

2. What is Islam?

3. The Rightly Guided Caliphs

4. Expansion and empires

5. Civilization and learning

6. Islam and the West

7. Reform movements

8. Contemporary Issues

9. Beyond the Impasse

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About the Author / Editor

Merryl Wyn Davies is a writer and anthropologist and a former producer of religious programs for the BBC.

Ziauddin Sardar is a writer, broadcaster and cultural critic.

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