Understanding Islam: A Primer

By Idris Tawfiq

Book Overview

In Understanding Islam, Idris Tawfiq explores the Islamic faith from a unique perspective: that of Roman Catholic priest turned Muslim scholar. In an engaging style, he lays out the core tenets of this widely misunderstood religion. Tawfiq draws on recent cultural phenomena in the West to examine the role of religion in this increasingly secular region, and he illustrates the many unexpected prisms through which Islam can be observed. He argues that Islam - far from contributing to any "clash of civilizations" - encourages and embodies spiritual enlightenment and tolerance, enabling Muslims and non-believers to live in mutual understanding. Understanding Islam elucidates some of the most pressing issues of our time.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1566567203
• ISBN13: 9781566567206
• Release Date: March 2009
• Publisher: Olive Branch Press
• Length: 122 Pages
• Weight: 0.30 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 4.3" x 7.0"

Customer Reviews

Especially appropriate for the non-specialist general reader wanting a better understanding and gras

With approximately 1.4 billion worshipers making it the second largest religious group in the world today, Islam is a diverse, complex, often misunderstood faith. "Understanding Islam: A Primer" is a basic introduction and exploration of the Islamic faith from the perspective of Idris Tawfiq, a Roman Catholic priest who is also an accomplished Muslim scholar. Readers are presented with cogent and descriptive explanations of Islam's core beliefs and tenets, the role of Islam as a religion in an increasingly secular world, and which offers spiritual enlightenment and tolerance rather than a source of conflict and oppression as is far too commonly construed from today's geopolitics and newspaper headlines. A highly portable pocket-sized body of impeccable scholarship, "Understanding Islam" is especially appropriate for the non-specialist general reader wanting a better understanding and grasp of Islamic principles, tenets and beliefs as they would apply to today's issues, controversies, politics, international relations, and news stories.