Understanding Islam: A Primer [Paperback]

Idris Tawfiq (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 30, 2008

Islam is studied and discussed today on a scale never before witnessed. Yet to what extent is Islam truly understood in the West? And what is driving its rapid growth? The world's second largest religion, with a faithful of some 1.4 billion, is spreading fast, with a surprisingly high rate of conversion in Western countries.

In Understanding Islam, Idris Tawfiq explores the Islamic faith from a unique perspective: that of Roman Catholic priest turned Muslim scholar. In an engaging style, the core tenets of this widely misunderstood religion are laid out. The author draws widely on recent cultural phenomena in the West to examine the wider role of religion in an increasingly secular region of the world-from Ridley Scott's film Kingdom of Heaven to the display of public grief at the death of Diana, Princess of Wales in 1997. Tawfiq illustrates the many and various-and unexpected-prisms through which Islam can be observed.

Tawfiq argues that Islam, far from contributing to any "clash of civilizations," serves to embody spiritual enlightenment and tolerance, enabling Muslims and non-believers to live in a state of mutual understanding. Understanding Islam is concerned with one of the most pressing issues of our time.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Idris Tawfiq holds a degree in English from the University of Manchester, and a degree in theology from the Pontificial University of St. Thomas Aquinas in Rome. He has taught religious studies in Britain and Egypt. Tawfiq, a Roman Catholic priest before his conversion to Islam, continues to write for many newspapers and journals around the world, including the Middle East Times. His popular lectures and broadcasts on Islam are justly celebrated. He lives in Cairo.

Product Details

• Paperback: 122 pages
• Publisher: Olive Branch Pr (September 30, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1566567203
• ISBN-13: 978-1566567206
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.2 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,379,159 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Especially appropriate for the non-specialist general reader wanting a better understanding and grasp of Islamic principles, December 11, 2008

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Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Understanding Islam: A Primer (Paperback)

With approximately 1.4 billion worshipers making it the second largest religious group in the world today, Islam is a diverse, complex, often misunderstood faith. "Understanding Islam: A Primer" is a basic introduction and exploration of the Islamic faith from the perspective of Idris Tawfiq, a Roman Catholic priest who is also an accomplished Muslim scholar. Readers are presented with cogent and descriptive explanations of Islam's core beliefs and tenets, the role of Islam as a religion in an increasingly secular world, and which offers spiritual enlightenment and tolerance rather than a source of conflict and oppression as is far too commonly construed from today's geopolitics and newspaper headlines. A highly portable pocket-sized body of impeccable scholarship, "Understanding Islam" is especially appropriate for the non-specialist general reader wanting a better understanding and grasp of Islamic principles, tenets and beliefs as they would apply to today's issues, controversies, politics, international relations, and news stories.