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
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