Preface and Acknowledgements

scholars of Islam running afoul of political crises in Muslim countries

the task of Islamic studies in the face of terrorism

Muslims as human beings

this book: religious studies and historical context

focusing on the Prophet, plus the modern concept of religion

religion and history: changing words, pluralism behind claims of authority

not an apologia, but a call for understanding between Muslims and non-Muslims

descriptive and interpretive, subjecting claims to analysis

nonacademic essay with extensive Internet sources

humanizing Muslims and removing the veil of ignorance

not a textbook

summary of chapters

1.       Islam in the Eyes of the West

Islam as part of the contemporary world

Clash of civilizations?

What is the West?

Colonial attitudes

U.S. as unwitting inheritor of colonial role – Vietnam, Israel (Iraq)

Islam and anticolonialism

Suspicion of taint of imperialistic control

Anti-Islamic attitudes from medieval times to modernity

Christian attitudes and Islamic-Jewish relations

Women and Warfare: contrasting views

Hostile fantasies

Images without dialogue: National Enquirer

Civilized racism

Missionaries and colonial administrators

Orientalism

Christian Zionism and Israel; prophecy travel books

Harem fantasies

Contrary views of Muslim women: Lady Montague

The question of projection

Avoiding prejudice in approaching Islam

Stereotype of violence vs. colonial conquest

Going beyond religion: complexity of "Islamic" states

Contextualizing jihad

Who is authorized to interpret?

Proof texts and religious polemical on violence

Confusing secular rights with religion

Islamic law: case vs. code (theft)

Need for critical evaluation: Internet sites

Avoiding bigotry