Taking Back Islam

Winner of the Wilbur Award for Best Religion Book

In the months after September 11th, American Muslims heard the familiar sounds of Islam being defined by others. On television, from the Capitol, from the pulpit, in the classroom, and worst of all, on videotapes from Osama bin Laden's cave, commentators, politicians, scholars, and wealthy terrorists were telling Muslims the "real meaning" of Islam.

Western Muslims knew something had to be done or Islam might be tarnished, even corrupted. In the past year, they have often gathered informally to discuss the past, the present, and how things ought to be. In that spirit, Taking Back Islam is a bold collection of voices in the vanguard of the faith. The essays in this book are the work of men and women who remain devout and utterly convinced of Islam's power to help create a just, ordered, and beautiful world—and who are also unafraid to be critical of those who would distort Islam for violent or political ends. Many of these writers are American Muslims who benefit from a commitment to democratic pluralism as well as a commitment to Islam.

"I believe in Allah and America," writes Arsalan Tariq Iftikar. "The Qur'an has a radical message of tolerance," says Kabir Helminski. "American Muslims have a special obligation," according to Ingrid Mattson. "Many Muslims suspect that Islam's 'traditional lands' have less to teach us than they claim," writes Michael Wolfe.

The unique nature and strength of these voices, fueled by a strong desire to tap the best traditions within Islam, offer hope for rescuing a faith that has been injured from within by extremists and demonized from without by Western culture and media.

Michael Wolfe is a columnist for Beliefnet and the author of books of poetry, fiction, history, and travel, including The Hadj: An American's Pilgrimage to Mecca and One Thousand Roads to Mecca. A Muslim, Wolfe lives in California.

Beliefnet (www.beliefnet.com) is the leading multifaith internet site and media company for religion, spirituality, and inspiration. In 2002, Beliefnet won the Webby Award for Best Spirituality Site and was a finalist for the National Magazine Award for General Excellence Online. Taking Back Islam is Beliefnet's third book in partnership with Rodale.

Why Now? An Introduction
by Michael Wolfe

American Muslims' Special Obligation
by Ingrid Mattson

A Times for Renewal
by Ali Minai

Has Islam Been Hijacked?
by Karen Armstrong

The Muslim Vanguard: An Interview with Farid Esack
by the editors of U.S. Catholic magazine

Violence

Is Islam Violent?
by Karen Armstrong

Peaceful Jihad
by Dr. Khaled Abou El Fadl

Six Myths About Islam
by Shaykh Ahmed Abdur Rashid

How Muslims Can Combat Terror and Violence
by Aasma Khan

Democracy

Can Religious States Be Democratic?
by Karen Armstrong

Islamic Democracies
by Alexander Kronemer

Being Muslim, Being American After 9/11
by Omid Safi

The Rising Voice of Moderate Muslims
by Salam al-Marayati

No More Simplistic Answers: An Interview with Taha Jabir Alalwani
by Radwan A. Masmoudi, Ph. D.

Women and Islam

Rethinking Women's Issues in Muslim Communities
by Kecia Ali

Born in the U. S. A.
by Miriam Udel-Lambert

Muhammad's Legacy for Women
by Leila Dabbagh

Why Every Mosque Should Be Women-Friendly
by Saraji Umm Zaid

Abuse, Polygamy, Exclusion: Three Stories of American Muslim Women
by Samer Hathout

Halal, Halal, and Sex and The City
by Asma Gull Hasan

"You Seem So Intelligent. Why Are You a Muslim?"
by Halima Touré

The African-American Experience

"Oh, Allah, Operate On Us!": Islam and the Legacy of American Slavery
by Precious Rasheeda Muhammad

African-American, Muslim, and Loyal to the U. S.
by Akbar Muhammad, Ph.D.

Prison and the Struggle for Dignity
by F. Thaufeer al-Deen

Muhammad Ali: The Reassuring Face of American Islam
by Deborah Caldwell

Muslims, Christians, and Jews

Islam: A Broad Perspective on Other Faiths
by Shaykh Kabir Helminski

Jesus Through a Muslim Lens
by Michael Wolfe

Why I Love The Ten Commandments
by Hesham A. Hassaballa

"Mom Raised Me as a Zionist"
by Mas'ood Cajee

Culture

What Makes Rumi Whirl: An Interview with Kabir Helminski
by Rhonda Roumani

The Tongues of Poets: Shakespeare, Whitman, and Rumi by Daniel Abdal-Hayy Moore
Islam Sings
by Yusuf Islam

Yes, There is Such a Thing as Muslim Humor
by Kamal al-Marayati

Practicing Vibrant Islam in American

Mosques Take Root in American Soil
by Michael Wolfe

The Fight for the Soul of Islam in America
by Yahiya Emerick

Naked and Vulnerable on Ramadan
by Shaykh Kabir Helminski

The Real Mecca
by Michael Wolfe

Hajj in a Time of War: An Interview with Moulana Ebrahim Moosa
by Deborah Caldwell

Have Qur'an, Will Travel
by Michael Wolfe

Why I Love Being Muslim

I Believe in Allah and America
by Arsalan Tariw Iftikhar

A Basketball Player Finds Peace
by Deborah Caldwell

My Odyssey to Islam
by Steven Barboza

"You're Gonna Have to Serve Somebody"
by Ali Asadullah