Islam, Fundamentalism, and the Betrayal of Tradition

Years after the horrific attacks of September 11th, misunderstanding and distrust between Islam and the West are still as rampant as ever. In this new and, fully revised, edition of his critically acclaimed book, Joseph Lumbard collects a series of essays that explain not only the veil of misconceptions which lie at the heart of Western attitudes towards Islam, but, also, the rise of "fundamentalism" within Islam itself, which most Muslims do not consider a true reflection of their religion. This new edition includes an essay on the role of women in Islam, an updated chapter containing insight into the concept of Jihad and three, fully revised chapters that bring the discussion up to date with the current global situation. A completely modified introduction is, also, featured. This book is an invaluable tool for anyone who wants to see beyond the headlines of hatred and anger which are so common today.