The No-Nonsense Guide to Islam (No Nonsense Guides S.) - Softcover

Davies, Meryl Wyn; Sardar, Ziauddin

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1859844545 ISBN 13: 9781859844540

Publisher: Verso Books, 2004

Synopsis

Islam seems to be constantly at odds with the West. Even before 11 September 2001, Muslims were generally viewed as enemies of Western "freedom" and "Progress". There is far more to Islam than the stereotypical Western view of violence and bigotry, fanaticism and despotism, oil and turmoil. This "No Nonsense Guide" looks at how Islam can reconcile itself with the twenty first century. The authors Merryl Wyn Davies and Ziauddin Sardar explain the Islamic worldview, examining the Qu'ran and Islamic law (sharia), Islam in history, Islam's relationship with the West and its contemporary nature. Merryl Wyn Davies and Ziauddin Sardar analyze the struggle within the faith for a more humane and holistic interpretation of their religion, as well as examining the issues surrounding women, democracy and economic development.

About this title

Review:

"The latest in the New Internationalist's excellent series of No-Nonsense Guides to all things is timely, as the peaceful and humane idealogy of the world's second-largest religion becomes dangerously obscured not only by widespread ignorance and misinterpretation, but also by the Muslims own drift away from the central tenets of the faith. The book examines the history and principles of Islam, how the faith which emphasised justice, creativity and tolerance, drifted from education to despotism and mediocrity, and what Islam could and should become in future." Observer, London My school library contains many books about Islam. However, no books explain the conflicts which have arisen... A teenage student investigating Islamic views as an issue, rather than a system of beliefs would have been very short of material before the addtion of this volume.' - School Librarian, UK "Sardar and Davies show what Islam has achieved; and what it is capable of achieving. They suggest how both Islam and the West can transform themselves to see each other as fully human and capable of laying the foundation for a just world order." - Dr Ghayasuddin Siddiqui, Director of the Muslim Institute and leader of the Muslim Parliament of Great Britain "If you are thinking about a book on Islam for non-Muslims new to the faith, or a book for anyone seeking to make sense of the challenges faced by Muslims in 21st century, then this book bests both tasks." Amazon customer review

About the Author:

Ziauddin Sardar is a writer, broadcaster and cultural critic. His numerous books include 'Postmodernism and the Other' (1998), 'Orientalism' (1999), and 'The A to Z of Postmodern Life' (2002). 'Why Do People Hate America?' (2002), written with Merryl Wyn Davies, has been in the bestseller list in several countries. He is also known for his regular contributions to New Statesman magazine and to national and international newspapers. Merryl Wyn Davies is a writer, anthropologist and former producer of religious programmes for the BBC. She is the author of the highly acclaimed 'Knowing One Another: Shaping an Islamic Anthropology' (1988) and of 'Introducing Anthropology' (2002). She is the co-author, with Ziauddin Sardar, of the international bestseller 'Why Do People Hate America?' (2002), among other publications.

About this edition

• Publisher: Verso Books
• Publication date: 2004
• ISBN 10: 1859844545
• ISBN 13: 9781859844540
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 144