What's Right with Islam: A New Vision for Muslims and the West

by Feisal Abdul Rauf

Book Overview

An American imam offers answers for today's toughest questions about Islam, and a vision for a reconciliation between Islam and the West.

One of the pressing questions of our time is what went wrong in the relationship between Muslims and the West. Continuing global violence in the name of Islam reflects the deepest fears by certain Muslim factions of Western political, cultural, and economic encroachment. The solution to the current antagonism...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0060750626
• ISBN13: 9780060750626
• Release Date: April 2005
• Publisher: HarperOne
• Length: 336 Pages
• Weight: 0.65 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 5.4" x 8.1"

Customer Reviews

Interesting book

This is an interesting read. It is very focused on highlighting similarities between Islam and Western religions. In some places it glosses over points of contention between the religions, but the objective of the book is obviously to make readers realize that killing each other because of our differences is something that is contrary to every religion's teachings.

A thoughtful book

The first few reviews of this book written by my fellow Amamzonians were exactly what I expected to read. Reviewer Tom Swift spouts racists nonsense about " total world conquest ", while Mohammed Irfan Shariff toes the ultra conservative Sunni line that condemns anything Sufi. Tragically it seems that prevailing views, both within the Muslim world and without, have effectively smothered the voice of rational, forward thinking, Islam. Feisal Abdul Rauf presents the reader with a very well laid out, well crafted, highly logical and even handed presentation of the challenges that face Islamic nations and the rest of the world as we try ( some of us at least ) to find ways to coexist in mutually beneficial ways. Personally, there wasn't anything in this book that I hadn't read or experienced previously. The history of the rise and spread of Islam has been written about by many authors, each with his or her particular bias. What the good Imam has done however, is to provide a wonderfully thorough context in which to examine the history of Islam via vis it's relationship with the western world. I challenge Tom Swift to attend Friday prayers at his local mosque. What he will experience is a sincerely warm greeting and a willingness to share very openly about Islam's core beliefs. I did this back in the late 90's and was deeply moved, not only by the personal contact, but by the Imam's firm declaration that the United States was, and I quote, " the best place in the world to be a Muslim ". I respectfully remind Mohammed Irfan Shariff, that many of Islam's greatest achievements in science and philosophy were accomplished by Sufis and that many of the world's Sufis are devoted to the Qur'an and are deeply observant Muslims. The author ends this book with numerous, realistic, well considered recommendations, that will in all likelihood never see the light of day. Frankly, the status quo of mistrust and hostility are very important to many of our world's leaders. If they can't distract us by pointing a finger at the " evil other ", their own corruption and incompetence will be exposed. It's easier to hate, and it turns out it's much more financially remunerative, too. Even the media ( particularly in the USA ) has given up on in depth reporting in favor of slickly delivered shards of violent, negative images. Evidently, there's no profit in peace. Still, I recommend this book very sincerely. If things are ever going to get better in this tragedy filled world, it will be people like Feisal Abdul Rauf who will show us the way. I'll end this review with a personal note. I found myself in Malaysia in February 2004. Given the fact that Malaysia is a predominantly Muslim nation, and that my country was pursuing a highly unpopular war in Iraq, I was a bit apprehensive as to how I would be received. What I found was a people who went out of their way to assure me that the Malaysian people didn't hold individual Americans responsible for their government's

Excellent and Well Researched Book--A Must Read.

This book is a must read for people of all faiths.American Muslims will benefit from the clarity, vision and the road map laid out by the author in addressing the current divide between the Muslims and the West. The author skillfully examines the history of previous religious groups--Jews, Catholics-how after immigration from Europe they developed an American identity. The result was they were able to influence Jews and Catholics outside USA, a great lesson for the American Muslims.For readers of other faiths, the author provides succint answers to contemporary questions--suicide bombings page 146,147,155, the emergence and influence of Wahhabism page 194-196, Womens role and rights p216, why Muslims are angry p234, 240.With clear Quranic references the author demonstrates the compatibility between the Islamic principles and US constitution.The final chapters describe in some detail the work American Muslims have to do in order to close the widening and dangerous gap between the 1.2 billion Muslims and the West.This book is full of information and more importantly ends on a positive and hopeful note.

The most refreshing perspective in years

Imam Feisal speaks for all Muslims who find themselves defending their religion. His moderate voice is consistent with the philosophical basis of Islam. His approach and vivid examples provide Muslims with a framework to best articulate how Islam and the West are not only compatible but also made for each other.This is also a must read for anyone whose impressions of Islam have been formed through the events and coverage of the last few years. Many are perplexed by the seeming inconsistency of terror "in the name of Islam" and our leaders' statements such as "Islam is a religion of Peace." Without addressing the 'expert analysis' given full reign in the media to besmirch Islam, this book effectively discredits those theories. By identifying the common threads between West & Islam, the 'us vs. them' thoughts dissolve.This should serve as the foundation of reconciliation and peace between Islam and the West.

What's right with this book

What is right with Islam, is what is right with Religion, it is what is right with America, and it is what is right with this book. A book which should serve as a prerequisite to anything you ever read about Islam from this day forward.For Muslims, this book will trigger a collective sigh of relief for unleashing the traditionally muffled moderate voice. Christians, Jews, and people of every religious and secular persuasion will sigh in relief at its rather straightforward message of hope and invitation to peace. Aspiring fundamentalists in every camp, who are too ill equipped to reach an end to their fanatical rationalizations and justifications, should sigh, that this book will put an end to extremist interpretations on their behalf. You cannot read this book and still retain any delusions about the middle east or modern west. It is a wake up call to both the cultured mind and the over zealous heart. No matter how you set out to read this book, whether as an academician, or as a politician, or even a devout Muslim, you will surely conclude its reading as a humanitarian devoid of any academic, political, or religious aspirations. You will, against your own will, abort any preconceived notions you bring to its reading. I suspect It will attract a wide audience, given its appeals to both our prudent sensibilities, while simultaneously advocating for a psychology of love without categorically yielding the final say, to either perspective. It is less an endorsement of a religion, then it is a plea to recognize and celebrate the commonalties which have united all religions in the past and can unite us once again. The frustrating irony which begs advertisement and public notice, is that Islam and western democracy are ideologically compatible. Imam Abdul-Rauf reminds us that no one is immune to the compelling pressures which mobilize people to commit atrocities in the name of God. Pressures which are mediated less by religion and more by economic and sociological developments. In an effort to explain the motivations behind the prevailing trends towards fundamentalism In the Muslim world, Imam Abdul- Rauf, answers, with great clarity, those questions that many have been tempted to explain away as the fanatical rage of the disesteemed. Explanations which lend themselves to blanket generalizations about Muslims here and abroad. Generalization which have done nothing to facilitate our campaign towards attaining security and peace. His is not a mission to justify, but rather to rectify the current circumstances which have plagued our nation. And he does so by arming the reader with a crash course education that is a culmination of both his scholarship and invaluable first hand experience. It is not based on rhetoric and flimsy assumptions, but on the forgotten precedence for pluralism and peace that was established by forefathers, prophets and messengers. The scenario he paints demands r