Islam, Peace and Social Justice examines the ways in which Islamic cultures have dealt with issues of social justice historically and culturally. With unwavering objectivity, the author helps readers of any faith to gain a nuanced and accurate understanding of the challenges that we face in contemporary multifaith engagements. Dr van Gorder offers a comprehensive and sympathetic Christian insight into Islam. The contentious issues of social justice that are encountered in this broad, yet intricate, study include the concept of Jihad, poverty, political oppression, human rights, genocide, racism, sexual injustice, homophobia, and environmental degradation. The challenges are real and the problems are vast; partnerships and solutions must be found - people of faith, Muslim, Jewish and Christian, must find ways to work together to address these shared challenges. This work exposes misrepresentations and stereotypes about Islamic views of social justice that abound in Europe and North America. The author encourages a deeper appreciation of how themes of social justice resound through Islamic texts and have been expressed both in the contemporary and historical life of various and diverse Islamic communities worldwide.

About the Author
A. Christian van Gorder received his doctorate in Muslim-Christian relations from the Queen's University of Belfast, Ireland. He is the author of 8 books and numerous articles in the field of world religions, with a particular emphasis on Muslim and Christian interactions. He has taught and researched Islam and Muslim-non-Muslim interactions for 12 years in the United States, lived for 6 years in Muslim communities in Asia, and conducted extensive research in Muslim communities throughout Central Asia, South Asia, the Middle East, North Africa, Europe and North America. He is currently an Associate Professor of Religion at Baylor University.

Reviews
"This work would be useful for many courses on contemporary Islam, since each chapter provides a useful tour d'horizon of these contentious issues, with helpful bibliography. There is much of value in this exhaustively researched study." -Dr. Philip Lewis, Church Times, April 2015 "Islam, Peace and Social Justice takes on the ambitious and important task of promoting better relations among the major monotheistic traditions by providing a deeper understanding of shared social justice goals ... he demonstrates a rich knowledge of the Islamic holy texts, providing myriad arguments for how Islam's teachings and practice are in accord with social justice...Van Gorder clearly knows a great deal about the topic, tackles it with enthusiasm, and offers a truly impressive scope." -Andrew Bramsen, Journal of Church and State, Spring 2015 "Van Gorder clearly knows a great deal about his topic, tackles it with enthusiasm, and offers a truly impressive scope." -Andrew Bramsen, Journal of Church and State, 57(2), Spring 2015 "Islam, Peace and Social Justice is a timely reminder of the rich historical heritage and deep intellectual tradition of social justice and the quest for peace that has ever been part and parcel of the Muslim life of faith... He is accurate, sympathetic, realistic and clear. Punches are not pulled; neither are they recklessly thrown." -Douglas Pratt, Theology Vol 118, No. 5, 2015



Book Information
ISBN 9780227174227
Author A. Christian van Gorder
Format Paperback
Page Count 292
Imprint James Clarke & Co Ltd
Publisher James Clarke & Co Ltd
Weight(grams) 453g