Description
In recent years, Islamic fundamentalist, revolutionary, and jihadist movements have overshadowed more moderate and reformist voices and trends within Islam. This compelling volume introduces the current generation of reformist thinkers and activists, the intellectual traditions they carry on, and the reasons for the failure of reformist movements to sustain broad support in the Islamic world today. Richly detailed regionally focused chapters cover Iran, the Arab East, the Maghreb, South Asia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Turkey, Europe, and North America. The editor's introductory chapter traces the roots of reformist thinking both in Islamic tradition and as a response to the challenge of modernity for Muslims struggling to reconcile the requirements of modernization with their cultural and religious values. The concluding chapter identifies commonalities, comparisons, and trends in the modernizing movements.
Reviews
"Shireen Hunter has thoughtfully and skillfully assembled a group of scholars who demonstrate that the latest currents in Islamic reformism in a number of countries and regions are important instruments of change today. This nuanced and comparative study illuminates the ways in which reformers have reacted to both the adverse effects of modernization and the grand prescriptions some Muslim intellectuals and activists have confidently presented. It also documents the divergence of viewpoints on such signal issues as women's rights and the place of Islamic law. In so doing, it points to the difficulties reformists have had in maintaining their religious credibility and resisting the misguided embrace of the West. These are forceful and critical insights that informed readers will want-and need-to know." - James Piscatori, Centre for Arab and Islamic Studies, Australian National University "For those who since 9/11 have asked whether Islam is capable of reform, Shireen Hunter's Reformist Voices of Islam is 'the' book to read. Indeed, anyone who wants to know about Islamic reform, its messengers and messages, will welcome this volume, which brings together eminent experts and Muslim voices of reform." - John L. Esposito, Georgetown University"
Book Information
ISBN 9780765622396
Author Shireen Hunter
Format Paperback
Page Count 344
Imprint Routledge
Publisher Taylor & Francis Ltd
Weight(grams) 476g
Reviews
"Shireen Hunter has thoughtfully and skillfully assembled a group of scholars who demonstrate that the latest currents in Islamic reformism in a number of countries and regions are important instruments of change today. This nuanced and comparative study illuminates the ways in which reformers have reacted to both the adverse effects of modernization and the grand prescriptions some Muslim intellectuals and activists have confidently presented. It also documents the divergence of viewpoints on such signal issues as women's rights and the place of Islamic law. In so doing, it points to the difficulties reformists have had in maintaining their religious credibility and resisting the misguided embrace of the West. These are forceful and critical insights that informed readers will want-and need-to know." - James Piscatori, Centre for Arab and Islamic Studies, Australian National University "For those who since 9/11 have asked whether Islam is capable of reform, Shireen Hunter's Reformist Voices of Islam is 'the' book to read. Indeed, anyone who wants to know about Islamic reform, its messengers and messages, will welcome this volume, which brings together eminent experts and Muslim voices of reform." - John L. Esposito, Georgetown University"
Book Information
ISBN 9780765622396
Author Shireen Hunter
Format Paperback
Page Count 344
Imprint Routledge
Publisher Taylor & Francis Ltd
Weight(grams) 476g
