Synopses & Reviews
Synopsis
In the wake of such events as the publication of offensive cartoons of the prophet Mohammed in a Danish newspaper, the murder of Dutch filmmaker Theo van Gogh by an Islamist extremist, and a growing anti-immigrant and anti-Muslim sentiment across Europe, relations between Europeans and both the Islamic world and Muslims living in Europe are increasingly strained.
Islam and Europe brings together seven authorities on the global role of Islam to discuss ways to overcome this entrenched animosity and engender new possibilities and understandings. Though approaching this issue from distinct points of view, the contributors agree that only dialogue--both between the West and Islam and within and among societies historically identified with Islam--will confrontation give way to consensus. Moreover, by encouraging free and critical thinking, such dialogue may, the contributors argue, pave the way to social equity and the scientific innovation that will lead to greater prosperity in the Muslim world.
Based on papers presented at the first Intercultural Relations Conference, organized by Forum A. & A. Leysen, held in Leuven in 2007, the essays collected in this volume are accompanied by the most important questions after each presentation and the speakers' responses. Although the question of how to actually construct the dialogue remains unsettled, this groundbreaking book takes a giant step toward an answer.
Contributors: Luda A. Abicht, University of Ghent and University of Antwerp; Sadik al-Azm, Yale University, Hunter College, Damascus University, and Princeton University; Tariq Ali; John R. Bowen, Washington University, St. Louis; Roger Dillemans, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven; Mark Eyskens, Former Minister of State, Belgium; Marie-Claire Foblets, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven; University of Brussels, and University of Antwerp; Tariq Modood, University of Bristol; Ruud Peters, University of Amsterdam; Jean Pierre Rondas, Journalist, Belgium; Bassam Tibi, University of Gottingen; Nasr H. Abu Zayd, University of Utrecht and University of Leiden
Synopsis
Dedicated to increasing our knowledge and awareness of the ever-growing diversity and pluralism of global society, Forum A. & A. Leysen has initiated a debate/lecture series, with a focus on Islam in today's world and in Europe in particular. Well-known influential authorities--each an active participant in the public debate on the global role of Islam past, present, and future--presented papers at the several Intercultural Relations meetings sponsored by Forum A. & A. Leysen. These important contributions are collected in Islam and Europe: Crises Are Challenges.
A common message emerges from the contributors and all their different points of view: only dialogue--on the one hand between the West (countries that manifest themselves as Western Democratic constitutional states) and Islam, and on the other hand within and among societies historically identified with Islam--will overcome entrenched confrontation and negative animosity. Such dialogue will engender new possibilities and understandings, and, by encouraging free and critical thinking, pave the way to social equity and the scientific innovation that may lead to more prosperity. In the course of the meetings all talks led to fascinating debates. This book includes the papers presented during the period January 2008 to January 2009. Although the question of how to actually construct the dialogue remains unsettled, this pioneering book takes a giant step toward an answer.
Contributors: Ahmed Aboutaleb; Durre S. Ahmed; A.S.A. Al-Saify; Mohamed Benzakour; Helge Dani ls; Nadia Fadil; Silvio Ferrari; Marie-Claire Foblets; Fouad Laroui; Paul Lemmens; Rashida Manjoo; Ziba Mir-Hosseini; Bhikhu Parekh; Mathias Rohe; Cedric Ryngaert; Shaheen Sardar Ali; Prakash Shah; Paul Scheffer; Amina Wadud; Sami Zemni