Peace Movements in Islam: History, Religion, and Politics

Description

Contrary to the distorted and in many places all-too prevalent view of Islam as somehow inherently or uniquely violent, there is a dazzling array of Muslim organizations and individuals that have worked for harmony and conciliation through history. The Qur'an itself, the Muslim scripture, is full of peace verses urging returning good for evil and wishing peace upon harassers, alongside the verses on just, defensive war that have so often been misinterpreted. This groundbreaking volume fills a gaping hole in the literature on global peace movements, bringing to the fore the many peace movements and peacemakers of the Muslim world. From Senegalese Sufi orders to Bosnian women's organizations to Indian Muslim freedom fighters who were allies of Mahatma Gandhi against British colonialism, it shows that history is replete with colorful personalities from the Muslim world who made a stand for peaceful methods.

Juan Cole is a public intellectual, prominent blogger and essayist, and the Richard P. Mitchell Collegiate Professor of History at the University of Michigan, USA. He is the translator of Broken Wings and The Vision by Khalil Gibran.

"Peace Movements in Islam: History, Religion and Politics, edited by Juan Cole is a "must read," an antidote to media and polemicists' portrayal of Islam as a religion of war and to former President Donald Trump's declaration that "Islam hates us." An excellent collection of scholars take the reader on a journey from the time of the Prophet Muhammad to today, underscoring the long tradition of peace that exists in contrast to the rhetoric and actions of militant movements." * John L. Esposito, Georgetown University, USA * Nowhere has the charged topic of Islam and peace been as deftly and broadly addressed as in this collection of essays edited by the maestro of public scholarship on Islam, Juan Cole. From Qur'anic dicta to historical exemplars to modern day perspectives on fundamentalism, women and Trump, the contributors eschew easy platitudes or apologia, providing a kaleidoscope of insight that will attract the general reader as also the academic specialist. * Bruce B. Lawrence, Duke University, USA * This is an especially timely volume given the high levels of Islamophobia and the racialization of Muslims globally that continue to put Muslims at risk through being conceptualized as inherently violent. * Zayn Kassam, John Knox McLean Professor and Chair of Religious Studies, Pomona College, USA *