The Global Muslim Community at a Crossroads: Understanding Religious Beliefs, Practices, and Infighting to End the Conflict

by Abdul Basit

Publisher:

Praeger

, 2012

Tackling a subject that is as timely as it is complex, this expert work examines the turmoil inside Muslim communities, helping outsiders to understand and insiders to examine ways in which Islam can be reinterpreted for a modern world.

The Global Muslim Community at a Crossroads: Understanding Religious Beliefs, Practices, and Infighting to End the Conflict is an illuminating work. Written by an eminent psychologist who was raised as a Muslim in India and now resides in the United States, it examines the core reasons for the current state of affairs in Muslim communities, explaining the psychological underpinnings of Muslim religion and practices and the reasons they can fuel violence.

Drawing on the editor's exposure to Eastern and Western cultures and his longstanding interest in the study of comparative world religions, this impartial analysis takes a multidimensional approach to explaining the current plight of Muslim countries. It candidly discusses issues such as the influence of Islamic schools, the negative and positive roles of Ulema (religious scholars), a lack of critical inquiry into religious thought, Sharia, and the status of women in Islam. Finally, there are positive suggestions about a road to recovery, explaining how Muslim communities can address the interlocking problems they face while retaining the positive aspects of their beliefs.

Features

Contributions from a team of Muslim scholars from across disciplines that include psychology, psychiatry, and sociology
A glossary
A extensive bibliography

Contents

Series Foreword by Dr. Judy Kuriansky
Preface
Acknowledgments
Introduction
Part I—Rise and Fall of the Islamic Civilization: A Historical Background
1 Review of the Global Muslim Community: Analyzing the Current State of Turmoil and Upheaval
Abdul Basit
Part II—A Review of Religious Beliefs and Practices
2 Clarifying Core Islamic Concepts
Abdul Basit
3 A Critical Review of Hadith
Abdul Basit
4 Shariah and Contemporary Issues
Abdul Basit
Part III—A Review of Social and Moral Issues
5 Islam and Democracy
Abdul Basit
6 Muslims and Pluralism: Past, Present, and Future
Javeed Akhter
7 Removing the Veil: Clarifying the Role of Women in Islam
Abdul Basit
8 Refining the "Islamic": The Importance of Critical Gender Analysis
C. A. Lizzio
Part IV—Reforming Madrassas and Social Reform in Muslim Society
9 Reforming the Indian Madrassas
Akhtarul Wasey
10 Education in Muslim Societies: Learning from the Past
Aurangzeb Haneef
11 Scholastic Theology and Social Reform in Muslim Society: Shaykh Ghazali's Approach
Benaouda Bensaid and Fadila Grine
Part V—Glorifying the Past
12 Idealizing the Past: Does It Prevent the Muslim Community from Moving Forward?
Tariq Ahmed Khan
13 Does Islam Provide Guidance in All Aspects of Life?
Abdul Basit
Part VI—New Strategies for Resolving Intractable Problems
14 The Road to Recovery: How Can the Muslims Resolve the Intractable Problems and End the Conflict?
Abdul Basit
Part VII—Summary and Conclusions
15 Summary and Conclusions
Abdul Basit
Appendices
Appendix I
Khurshid Alam Lala
Appendix II
Abdul Basit
Glossary
About the Editors and Contributors
Index

Product Details

• Title: The Global Muslim Community at a Crossroads: Understanding Religious Beliefs, Practices, and Infighting to End the Conflict
• Author: Abdul Basit
• Publisher: Praeger
• Print Publication Date: 2012
• Logos Release Date: 2024
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Ebook
• ISBN: 9798216090458
• Resource ID: LLS:9798216090458
• Resource Type: Monograph
• Metadata Last Updated: 2024-04-12T13:18:43Z

About the Author

Abdul Basit, PhD, is a licensed clinical psychologist and former assistant professor of psychiatry at the Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL.