Akbar S. Ahmed

A Short Introduction to the Muslim World

Islam Today

This book, Toward Islamic Anthropology: Definition, Dogma and Direction, is a valuable prerequisite for the study and assessment of Western anthropology from a "universal" or Islamic perspective. Dr. Akbar Ahmed, author of this work, contends that Western Anthropology offers the Islamic scholar a body of knowledge worthy of merit, but which is, unfortunately, laden with conclusions based on cultural presumptions, misinformation and ethnocentrism. Approaching the subject from an Islamic perspective, Dr. Ahmed zeros in upon the "Methodological prejudices," which he suggests represents the greatest challenge to be overcome in the field. As the Late Dr. Isma'il R. al-Faruqi states in the introduction of the book, "regarding the cause of truth as its own, Islam prescribes that where there is valid evidence for the other point of view; the mind must bend itself to it with humility. But where the evidence is spurlous or lacking, the Islamic mind feels itself compelled to expose the incoherence." In Part I, Dr. Ahmed reviews the science of Anthropology and compares its development with that of other disciplines. He also shows how given historical and political periods, such as the "colonial era," forced erroneous methodological frameworks upon the discipline. In Part II, the author establishes the fact that Anthropology had its roots in the Islamic scientific heritage, dating back to the tenth Hijri century. He concludes that anthropologists "must transcend" themselves and their cultures, to a position where they can "speak to, and understand those around them in terms of their special humanity, irrespective of color, caste or creed."

Toward Islamic Anthropology: Definition, Dogma, and Directions (Islamization of Knowledge Series)

Hastings Donnan

An insightful examination of how general global processes are affecting Muslims everywhere, and the way in which these processes are moulded by particular local cultural, political, and economic configurations.

Islam, Globalization, and Postmodernity

The outside world now reaches into even the most closeted Muslim home through the various channels of the mass media, but globalization has raised many issues. This work captures and explores some of the debate, uncertainty and conflict generated as Islam moves into the 21st century.

Islam, Globalization and Postmodernity

Brian Forst

After Terror presents sustained reflections by some of the world's most celebrated thinkers on the most pressing question of our time: how can we find ways to defuse the ticking bombs of terrorism and excessive interventions against it? It offers an antidote to the fatalistic global holy war perspective that afflicts much contemporary thought, focusing instead on the principles, issues, and acts needed to shift course from alienation and conflict to a path of sanity and goodwill among cultures and civilizations. The central aim of the book is to advance contemporary thinking on the causes and implications of 9/11 and thus provide the essential elements of a blueprint for humanity. It features 28 original essays by some of the world's leading public figures, scholars, and religious leaders, including Benjamin Barber, Zbigniew Brzezinski, Jean Bethke Elshtain, Amitai Etzioni, Bernard Lewis, Martin Marty, Queen Noor, Joseph Nye, Judea Pearl, Jonathan Sacks, Ravi Shankar, Bishop Desmond Tutu, E.O. Wilson and James D. Wolfensohn. After Terror attests to the power of dialogue and mutual understanding and the possibility of tolerance, respect, cooperation, and commitment. Without ignoring the dangers of the modern world, it points to a future in which people can celebrate both the fundamental sentiments and interests that we share and the diversities that make us human.

Promoting Dialogue Among Civilizations

After Terror

Akbar Ahmed

A highly personal collection of poems from 'one of the leading authorities on contemporary Islam' (BBC). Spanning half a century of writing, Ahmed's poems give readers a front row seat to a world in turmoil. Can there be more drama than in Ahmed's first memories as a boy of four on a train through the killing fields of north India in 1947? Or the breakup of Pakistan into two countries in 1971? In the midst of change and uncertainty exists the optimism and faith of a young man with confidence in the future but an awareness of the problems it may hold.

A Book of Verse

Suspended Somewhere Between

Now reissued with a new introduction, Discovering Islam is a classic account of how the history of Islam and its relations with the West have shaped Islamic society today. Islam is often caricatured as aggressive and fanatic. Written in the tradition of Ibn Khaldun, this readable and wide-ranging book balances that image, uncovers the roots of Islamic discontent and celebrates the sources of its strength. From the four "ideal Caliphs" who succeeded the Prophet to the refugee camps of Peshawar, an objective picture emerges of the main features of Muslim history and the compulsions of Muslim society.

Making Sense of Muslim History and Society

Discovering Islam

Argues that the campaigns that fall under "The War on Terror" have exacerbated the already-broken relationship between central Islamic governments and the tribal societies within their borders.

How America's War on Terror Became a Global War on Tribal Islam

The Thistle and the Drone

In this groundbreaking book, Akbar Ahmed, one of the world's leading authorities on Islam, who has worked in the Muslim world but lives in the West, explains what is going wrong in his society by referring to Islamic history and beliefs. Employing theological and anthropological perspectives, he attempts to answer the questions that people in the West are asking about Islam: "Why do they hate us?" "Is Islam compatible with democracy?" "Does Islam subjugate women?" "Does the Quran preach violence?" These important questions are of relevance to Muslims and to non-Muslims alike. Islam Under Siege points out the need for, and provides the route to, the dialogue of civilizations. September 11, 2001, underlined the role of Islam in our time. In its demographic spread, its political span, and its religious commitment, Islam will be an increasingly forceful presence on the world stage in the twenty-first century. While some scholars predict that there will be a clash of civilizations, others see a need for a dialogue of civilizations. This book will help students, scholars of politics, sociology, international relations, and cultural studies, and reporters as well as a more general audience interested in some of the most important issues of our time.

Living Dangerously in a Post- Honor World

Islam Under Siege

Noor is the tale of three brothers attempting to rescue their sister Noor, who has been kidnapped during Ramadan. Each brother represents a different ideological position in the contemporary Islamic world; the play could be set in Baghdad but also in Cairo, Karachi or Kabul. While exploring the crisis of modern Islam, Noor is a heartfelt treatise for religious tolerance. The Trial of Dara Shikoh tells the story of the eldest son of 17th century Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan. Heir apparent, Dara Shikoh is a learned scholar with a strong belief in the unity of different faiths: Hinduism, Islam, Sikhism, Christianity and Judaism. Dara Shikoh highlights the complex issue of religious interpretation within a human context. Although the time frame is four centuries ago, its text resonates just as strongly for the contemporary reader.

Two Plays

First published in 1989. Routledge is an imprint of Taylor & Francis, an informa company.

Can West and East ever understand each other? In this extraordinary book one of the world's leading Muslim scholars explores an area which has which has been almost entirely neglected by scholars in the field - the area of postmodernism and Islam. This landmark work is startling, constantly perceptive and certain to be debated for years to come.

Predicament and Promise

Postmodernism and Islam

Akbar Ahmed, by revealing Jinnah's human face alongside his heroic achievement, makes this statesman both accessible to the current age and renders his greatness even clearer than before.

Akbar S. Ahmed

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