A Brief Guide to Islam: History, Faith and Politics: The Complete Introduction (Brief Histories) - Softcover

Grieve, Paul

Softcover

ISBN 10: 184529274X ISBN 13: 9781845292744

Publisher: Robinson, 2006

Synopsis

Exploring the beliefs, history and politics of the ordinary people of Muslim countries, Grieve cuts through the complexities as he examines all aspects of Islam. He also addresses the big issues: can Islam support true democracy? Is true democracy what the West really wants for Muslim countries or are we merely seeking a cover of legitimacy for a policy of 'might is right'?

Paul Grieve is an unbeliever - he is not a born-again Muslim, a proselytizer or a frustrated desert romantic. His aim is to inform. The result is an accessible but never simplistic guide that challenges
stereotypical views, from women and banking to war and Malcolm X.

Complete with advice for visitors to Muslim countries, and with carefully chosen primary sources, maps and illustrations, this is the ideal summary for the reader looking for an unbiased overview of the religious and political world issues that have become part of our everyday lives.

About this title

About the Author

Paul Grieve spent five years at the Mosquée de Paris and then at Cairo universities study

From the Back Cover

Differences and conflicts make for sensational headlines, but this Brief Guide to Islam starts with the similarities between the major Abrahamic faiths of Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Only then can the differences be understood.


By exploring the beliefs, history and politics of the ordinary people of Muslim countries, Paul Grieve offers a fully comprehensive survey that combines authoritative analysis with carefully chosen primary sources, lists, storytelling and illustrations. The result is user-friendly book that challenges cliché and stereotype in areas such as art, women, banking, war, Malcolm X, literature and the dos and don'ts of visiting a Muslim country. It also exposes the big issues behind the headlines: can Islam support true democracy? Is true democracy what the West really wants for the Middle East? Or are we merely seeking a cover of legitimacy for a policy of 'might is right'?


Paul Grieve is an unbeliever, he is not a born-again Muslim, a proselytizer or a frustrated desert romantic. His aim is simple: to inform. This is the ideal summary for the reader looking for a broad overview of the political and religious contentions that have been forced into our everyday lives.


'A sympathetic and sensitive treatment of a difficult subject; exploratory as well as explanatory; well-informed, confidently narrated, and well-written with an enviable gift for sure and incisive summary. I particularly admire the way it relates Muslim tradition to Christian and Judaic tradition.' David Gardner, Middle East Correspondent, Financial Times

Edition details

• Publisher: Robinson
• Publication date: 2006
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 184529274X
• ISBN 13: 9781845292744
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 448