Description
Book SynopsisRaising awareness of what Islam is, as well as deepening understanding about the lived realities of Muslim people, this book explores the contemporary Muslim experience through first-hand interviews with over a hundred Muslims.
Exploring key issues such as women and Islam, extremism and radicalisation, Sharia Law, homosexuality and Islamophobia, the book looks deep into what it means to be Muslim today. The 'voices' of Muslims are showcased throughout the book to highlight the diversity and evolution of Islam, and to show its inherent complexities and contradictions. This is an easy and accessible introduction to Islam combined with discussion surrounding several contentious issues associated with the religion.
Trade ReviewThis is an excellent resource to get a personal perspective of what Islam means to Muslims in a practical day to day sense. It also challenges stereotypes about Muslims to get an accurate picture of how Muslims live their lives within a liberal and democratic society. If you want to know about the pluralism within Muslim communities, this book will certainly help. -- Fiyaz Mughal – OBE, Director of Faith Matters
How do Asians in Britain feel about life and their religion? Declan Henry has fluently revealed their wide ranging views with great competence and skill. This is an intriguing perspective seen through the eyes of an emergent and important section of our community.
Definitely a work of lasting value. -- Paigham Mustafa, Author, The Quran, God's Message To Mankind
Voices of Modern Islam offers an insight into the often little-known or misrepresented fundamentals of the faith and the diversity of contemporary UK Muslim opinion: the good, the bad and the ugly. Demonstrating that Muslims are not a single homogeneous uncritical mass, it debunks many stereotypes, while confirming others. Be prepared to have some of your assumptions about Islam challenged. -- Peter Tatchell, human rights campaigner, Director of the Peter Tatchell Foundation
Declan Henry has spent extensive time and effort collecting vast and accurate information about Islam and the diversity of its followers. I believe this book is a valuable resource not only for use by Muslims across the UK and further afield, but also for secondary schools, and those researching Islam and its religious and socio-cultural realities in an academic context. -- Dr. Sheikh Ramzy, Imam, Islamic scholar and Director of Oxford Islamic Information Centre
Table of ContentsAcknowledgements; Foreword; Introduction; 1. Being Muslim; 2. The Prophet and Islam: A Brief History; 3. The Essence of Islam; 4. Women and Islam; 5. Sex, Arranged Marriages and Sexuality; 6. Sharia Law; 7. Converts; 8. Extremism and Radicalisation; 9. Islamophobia; 10. Other Thoughts and Opinions; References and Further Reading; Index
