Islam Vs. Islamism: Dilemma Of The Muslim World, The

Description:
'Islam vs. Islamism' introduces the reader to the Islamic world's diversity, its conflicts, and possible solutions to those conflicts. Steering clear of either 'Islamophilia' or Muslim-bashing, yet avoiding blandness, the author explains the origins of Islam, its history, and its position in today's world. After a period of extraordinary expansion and creativity, and a long sequel of decline, the Islamic world is now in deep crisis, caused by Islam's unhappy encounter with the West and modernity. Islamic societies have tried a variety of approaches to escape from their predicament, but the result has only been to deepen Muslim powerlessness and Muslims' feelings of frustration. Islamism (Islamic fundamentalism) represents a revolutionary but anti-modernist proposal to refashion Muslim society after the Prophet's original model. Islamism has had unsettling results, first in Islam's heartlands, then along its multiple frontiers, and finally in confrontation with the West itself. Among the outcomes has been an ascending wave of terrorism. But violence is not the whole story. Extremism represents no more than a minority trend within Islam. Although co-existence with violent fundamentalists is a hopeless task, the questions Islamists raise are serious and evoke echoes in the hearts of many more Muslims. To prevent a war of civilisations, dialogue with the moderate majority of Muslims is more urgent than ever. This book is one step on that long road.

Author Biography:
PETER R. DEMANT is Professor of History at Universidade de Sao Paulo, Brazil, where he lectures in international relations and contemporary Asian history. From 1991 to 1999 he lived in Jerusalem, where he was senior research associate at the Harry S Truman Research Institute for the Advancement of Peace at Hebrew University of Jerusalem.