In a Western world suddenly acutely interested in Islam; one question has been repeatedly heard above the din: where are the Muslim reformers? With this ambitious volume; Tariq Ramadan firmly establishes himself as one of Europe's leading thinkers and one of Islam's most innovative and important voices. As the number of Muslims living in the West grows; the question of what it means to be a Western Muslim becomes increasingly important to the futures of both Islam and the West. While the media are focused on radical Islam; Ramadan claims; a silent revolution is sweeping Islamic communities in the West; as Muslims actively seek ways to live in harmony with their faith within a Western context. French; English; German; and American Muslims--women as well as men--are reshaping their religion into one that is faithful to the principles of Islam; dressed in European and American cultures; and definitively rooted in Western societies. Ramadan's goal is to create an independent Western Islam; anchored not in the traditions of Islamic countries but in the cultural reality of the West. He begins by offering a fresh reading of Islamic sources; interpreting them for a Western context and demonstrating how a new understanding of universal Islamic principles can open the door to integration into Western societies. He then shows how these principles can be put to practical use. Ramadan contends that Muslims can-indeed must-be faithful to their principles while participating fully in the civic life of Western secular societies. Grounded in scholarship and bold in its aims; Western Muslims and the Future of Islam offers a striking vision of a new Muslim Identity; one which rejects once and for all the idea that Islam must be defined in opposition to the West.
#2042435 in Books 2003-11-27Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 6.30 x 1.20 x 8.90l; 1.21 #File Name: 019517111X288 pages
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. There are better books by Ramadan availableBy HHThough Ramadan is lauded by many as a liberal preaching an effective integration of Muslims into European and North American society; others have denounced him as "really" an Islamist and anti-Semite. What does "Western Muslim and the Future of Islam" tell us about the man and his ideas? Addressed to those Muslims living as a minority in the West; Ramadan affirms that Muslims can (and indeed; as proper Muslims; should) become active; loyal citizens of the states where they find themselves. He makes his case working comfortably within the mainstream Islamic theological and juridical tradition. In the spirit of interfaith dialogue; which Ramadan embraces; one might well describe this book as a practical catechism for Muslims in the West. There is much food for thought in it as well for non-Muslim majorities in the West and Muslim majorities in the Middle East.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Just as expected!By BilalJust as expected !0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. IjtihadBy Ronald C EmeryThe education of Tariq Ramadan shows in his writing in that he is very mainstream in his thoughts. I guess I am looking for a new Islam that fits the individual freedoms of Americans. Tariq reasserts the authority of the ulama and suggests that the we are in need of establishing their authority in the west. The west is the hope for the reemergence of ijtihad in Islam. Ijtihad is the future of Islam in the west and the hope of the revitalization of Islam worldwide. I rate a 4 for effort not for conclusions. The future according to Tariq looks just like the past.
