Moderate And Radical Islamic Fundamentalism

Redefines the bases and scope of modern Islamic thought, suggesting that Islamic fundamentalism might prove to be a liberating theology for the modern Islamic world. Basing his argument largely on Arabic documents, Moussalli analyzes the basic concerns of fundamentalism--epistemology, knowledge, philosophy, modernity, and science as well as politics, political philosophy, and political economy. He examines the ideas of major Muslim thinkers who have affected the contemporary Islamic revival--especially Hasan al-Banna, Sayyid Qutb, and Hasan al-Turabi--showing the range of Islamic fundamentalist views from liberal democracy to authoritarianism. He then discusses how their thinking could affect an Islamic state, from political repression at one extreme to political representation at the other. From publisher description.

Radical Islam is a major affliction of the contemporary world. Each year, radical Islamists carry out terrorist attacks that result in a massive death toll, almost all involving noncombatants and innocents. Estimates of how many Muslims could be considered followers of radical Islam vary widely, and there are few guides to help determine moderates versus radicals. Observers often sit at the extremes, either seeing all Muslims as open or closeted jihadis or recoiling from any attempt to link Islam with international terror. Both positions are overly simplistic, and the lack of rational principles to absolve the innocent and identify the accomplices of terror has led to governments and individuals mistakenly accepting jihadis as moderate. What is Moderate Islam? brings together an array of scholars—Muslims and non-Muslims—to provide this missing insight. This wide-ranging collection examines the relationship among Islam, civil society, and the state. The contributors—including both Muslims and non-Muslims—investigate how radical Islamists can be distinguished from moderate Muslims, analyze the potential for moderate Islamic governance, and challenge monolithic conceptions of Islam.

Recently, ISIS has taken parts of Syria and Iraq for the new Caliphate and people in the non-Muslim world struggle to understand. This book explains the background history to so much of what is happening and surveys the possibilities for the future. Islam is exposed as a religion very different from any other religion, especially Christianity throughout history, as well as it's manifestation in our present. All through this history and even today, the west has been looking for moderate Muslims to stand up against the radicalism of the Islamic Fundamentalists. Here finally, the simple truth is revealed that "Islam is Islam." The distinction between radical and moderate is usually more imagined than real. The authors' unique qualifications as students of history and the residency in Cyprus of one of the authors provide a unique perspective not likely to be found elsewhere.

Why do they hate us, and can it happen here? All good questions, and if you want the answers, this book will help you find them. Recently, ISIS has taken parts of Syria and Iraq for the new Caliphate, and people in the non-Muslim world struggle to understand. This book explains the background history to so much of what is happening and surveys the possibilities for the future. Islam is exposed as a religion very different from any other religion, especially Christianity, throughout history, as well as its manifestation in our present. All through history and even today, the West has been looking for moderate Muslims to stand up against the radicalism of the Islamic Fundamentalists. Here finally, the simple truth is revealed that "Islam is Islam." The distinction between radical and moderate is usually more imagined than real. This new Third Edition contains updated information not found in the previous editions plus new chapters that cover the European invasion and ideas on solutions. The authors' unique qualifications as students of history and the residency in Cyprus of one of the authors provide a unique perspective not likely to be found elsewhere

Provides and overview of Islam and the Fundamentalist beliefs and outcomes.

As America struggles to understand Islam and Muslims on the world stage, one concept in particular dominates public discourse: Islamism. References to Islamism and Islamists abound in the media, in think tanks, and in the general study of Islam, but opinions vary on the differences of degree and kind among those labeled Islamists. This book debates what exactly is said when we use this contentious term in discussing Muslim religion, tradition, and social conflict. Two lead essays offer differing viewpoints: Donald K. Emmerson argues that Islamism is a useful term for a range of Muslim reform movements—very few of which advocate violence—while Daniel M. Varisco counters that the public specter of violence and terrorism by Islamists too often infects the public perceptions of Islam more generally. Twelve commentaries, written by Muslim and non-Muslim intellectuals, enrich the debate with differing insights and perspectives.

Radical Islamists spread their message using extensive networks spanning the Muslim world, but moderates have not created similar networks. This book evaluates US programs of engagement with the Muslim world, and develops a road map to foster the construction of moderate Muslim networks.

Contains twelve essays that offer varying perspectives on issues related to Islamic fundamentalism, including jihad, institutionalized Christianity inciting the growth of Islamism, the United States' relation to Islamism, and other topics; and provides contact information for organizations and a bibliography.