Islam Today: A Short Introduction to the Muslim World [Paperback]

Dr. Akbar S. Ahmed (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 15, 1999

Although there are over one billion Muslims in the world, and over ten million in the West, most discussions of Islam are based on clichés or outright prejudice. This lively and compelling book sets out to bridge the gulf of misunderstanding. Islam, argues Akbar Ahmed, does not mean the subordination of women, contempt for other religions, opposition to the modern world, or barbaric punishments for petty crimes. One cannot fully come to terms with modern Islam without understanding its sources and traditions.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Islam is the fastest-growing world religion, with over ten million Muslims in the West. As their number increases, so do the misunderstandings and conflicts between Muslims and non-Muslims. Anthropologist Ahmed accurately explains the conflicting cultural values and ignorance of East and West and does an excellent job explaining the differences between the Shi'ite and Sunni branches of Islam, women in Islam, and Muslim minorities. Unfortunately, owing to space constraints, Nigeria and Indonesia are not covered. Ahmed is a visiting professor at Princeton and Harvard; his Discovering Islam: Making Sense of Muslim History and Society (Routledge, 1989. reprint) was highly praised. An essentially identical hardcover version of this book was published in the U.K. in 1993 under the title Living Islam: From Samarkand to Stornoway (BBC). Highly recommended for all libraries as a companion to John Bowker's What Muslims Believe (Element, 1999).AMichael W. Ellis, Ellenville P.L., NY
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

"Get a true picture of the religion distorted by Osama bin Laden in this Oprah recommended guide to the Muslim world." --Guardian

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Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: I. B. Tauris; Revised edition (March 15, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1860642578
• ISBN-13: 978-1860642579
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #129,855 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellant, clear explanation of Islam, May 20, 1999

By 

Hannahzarah Avarraschild "Hannah" (Burlington, VT United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Islam Today: A Short Introduction to the Muslim World (Paperback)

I found this book to be very well written. For the first time I have a picture of the differences between Sunni and Shia Islam and what the Islamic countries and peoples are going through in modern times as well as giving a consise history of the Islamic empires of the past. The author does not present a lop sided picture at all but strives to show the problems that Islam faces from both within and without. It most definitely made the Islamic people more human to me.

12 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Dispelled Misunderstanding, March 18, 2000

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Victor Gonzalez (Pasadena, CA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Islam Today: A Short Introduction to the Muslim World (Paperback)

I gave this book 5 stars more for what it did for me rather than simply literary analysis. This book became the begining of my conversion to Islam. After reading this book it allowed me to open myself to look at Islam much more seriously than I had before. On a literary basis, the author is not as objective as I believe he tries to come accross. He is clearly pro-islam and consequently some of his arguments/observations sound contrived.

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars A little too Weekly Reader for me, November 20, 2007

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Alan M. Hochberg "Alan" (Harrisburg, PA United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Islam Today: A Short Introduction to the Muslim World (Paperback)

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.