Synopses & Reviews
Islamophobia has been on the rise since September 11, as seen in countless cases of discrimination, racism, hate speeches, physical attacks, and anti-Muslim campaigns. The 2006 Danish cartoon crisis and the controversy surrounding Pope Benedict XVI's Regensburg speech have underscored the urgency of such issues as image-making, multiculturalism, freedom of expression, respect for religious symbols, and interfaith relations.
The 1997 Runnymede Report defines Islamophobia as "dread, hatred, and hostility towards Islam and Muslims perpetuated by a series of closed views that imply and attribute negative and derogatory stereotypes and beliefs to Muslims." Violating the basic principles of human rights civil liberties, and religious freedom, Islamophobic acts take many different forms. In some cases, mosques, Islamic centers, and Muslim properties are attacked and desecrated. In the workplace, schools, and housing, it takes the form of suspicion, staring, hazing, mockery, rejection, stigmatizing and outright discrimination. In public places, it occurs as indirect discrimination, hate speech, and denial of access to goods and services.
This collection of essays takes a multidisciplinary approach to Islamophobia, bringing together the expertise and experience of Muslim, American, and European scholars. Analysis is combined with policy recommendations. Contributors discuss and evaluate good practices already in place and offer new methods for dealing with discrimination, hatred, and racism.
Review
"This cannot be verbalized; it must be seen...."--Murad Wilfried Hofmann, The Muslim World Book Review
"Edited with skill by John L. Esposito and Ibrahim Kalin...Together the authors give a comprehensive, well-documented account of the historical roots of present-day Islamophobia." -- Times Literary Supplement
Synopsis
This updated version of Islam: The Straight Path includes a new Epilogue by John Esposito in which he addresses the impact 9/11 and its aftermath have had on both the Muslim and non-Muslim world, discussing Islam's relationship to democracy and modernity and focusing more sharply on the origins and growth of extremism and terrorism in the name of Islam.
This exceptionally successful survey text introduces the faith, belief, and practice of Islam from its earliest origins up to its contemporary resurgence. Esposito, an internationally renowned expert on Islam, traces the development of this dynamic faith and its impact on world history and politics, discussing the formation of Islamic belief and practice and chronicling the struggle of Muslims to define and adhere to their Islamic way of life. Lucidly written and expansive in scope, Islam: The Straight Path provides keen insight into one of the world's least understood religions and is ideally suited for use in courses on Islam, comparative religions, and Middle Eastern history and culture.
About the Author
JE: University Professor of Religion and International Affairs, Founding Director of the Prince Alwaleed bin Talal Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding, Georgetown University; IK: Assistant Professor of Foreign Service, Georgetown University
Table of Contents
Foreword -
Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic ConferenceIntroduction - John L. Esposito
THE CONTEXT OF ISLAMOPHOBIA
1. Ibrahim Kalin, "Islamophobia and the Limits of Multiculturalism"
2. Jocelyne Cesari, "Islamophobia in the West: A Comparison Between Europe and America".
CASE STUDIES
3. Sam Cherribi, "Islamophobia in Germany, Austria and Holland"
4. Tahir Abbas, "Islamophobia in the UK: Historical and Contemporary Political and Media Discourses in the Framing of a Twenty-First century Anti-Muslim Racism"
5. Mohamed Nimer, "Breaking the Vicious Cycle of Islamophobia and Anti-Americanism"
6. Sherman A. Jackson, "Muslims, Islam(s) and Race in America"
MANIFESTATIONS
7. Sunaina Maira, "Islamophobia and the War on Terror: Youth, Citizenship, and Dissent"
8. Juan Cole, "Islamophobia and American Foreign Policy"
9. Anas Shaikh Ali, "Islamophobic Discourse Masquerading as Art and Literature: Combating Myth through Progressive Education"
10. Kate Zebiri, Orientalist Themes in Contemporary British Islamophobia
11. Peter Gottschalk and Gabriel Greenberg, "From Muhammad to Obama: Caricatures, Cartoons, and Stereotypes of Muslims"
BIBLIOGRAPHY
INDEX