Presents the teachings of Islam regarding peace in the world today.

This book deals with certain "e;hot-button"e; contemporary issues in Islam that are often the focus of public scrutiny, including the Sharia, jihad, the caliphate, women's status, and interfaith relations. Notably, it places the discussion of these topics within a longer historical framework in order to reveal their multiple interpretations and contested applications over time. Most public and some academic discourses however present the Islamic tradition as unchanging and therefore unable to respond to the modern world. Such an ahistorical approach fosters the belief that Muslim and Western societies are destined to clash with one another. In contrast, this book allows the reader to see the diversity and transformations within Islamic thought over time. Focusing on this internal diversity permits us to appreciate the scriptural and intellectual resources available within the Islamic tradition for responding to the challenges of modernity, even as it interrogates and shapes modernity itself.

Acknowledgement Introduction 1. Islam, the West and Muslims 2. The Real Face of Islam: Liberal or Conservative 3. World Peace and Islam 4. Islam and Violence 5. Islam and Co-existence in a Pluralistic Society 6. Islam and Science 7. Citizenship and Minority Issues: A Quranic Perspective 8. Islam and Minority Rights 9. Muslim-Non-muslim Relations: Principles and Application 10. Islam and Religious Pluralism 11. Islamic Model for Social Harmony 12. Social Justice and Gender Equality 13. Islamic Education for the Development of Nation's Welfare: Bridging the Gap Between Developed and Developing Countries 14. Significance of Muslim Media in the Context of Misinformation about Islam 15. Islamic Teachings: Maternal Health and Adolescent Reproductive Health Issues 16. Islam, Universality, Physical Health and Wholesomeness of Life 17. Arab Islamic Civilization: Past and Future- An Indian Perspective 18. Islamic Law: The Ultimate Answer to Contemporary Questions Index This book deals with some vital contemporary questions and doubts about the role and character of Islam which, in its extreme form, has taken the shape of what Huntington has called the 'Clash of Civilisations'. Huntington has wrongly pitted Islam against the Western civilization whereas the author has proved that Islam stands for dialogue and cooperation. The author has shown through documentary evidences how false and prejudiced are the allegations currently leveled against Islam. Unlike many traditional defenders of Islam, he has not indulged in counter-accusations. Instead, he has holds the rulers of Islamic countries guilty, for their conduct is contrary to the basic teachings and principles of Islam as enunciated by the Prophet (PBUH). The book deals with such vital topics as the Islamic attitude towards non-Muslims and minorities, pluralism and coexistence, gender justice, public health and, above all media and communication. It projects true image of Islam.

This book examines the cultural responses of Muslims to the transformations, contradictions and challenges confronting contemporary Islam as it moves towards the twenty-first century. The diffusion of populations, the globalization of culture and the forces of postmodernity have shaken the world like never before. These developments have generated a debate among Muslims which, as the contributors to this volume show, will have far-reaching consequences not just for the Muslim world, but for relations between Islam and the West more generally.

This collection of papers presents a reformist project calling upon Muslim intellectuals and scholars everywhere to comprehend the vast breadth and depth of the crisis engulfing Muslim thought today and the necessity of solving this crisis to enable the Ummah to experience a revival and fulfill its role among the nations of the world. The reader will find a variety of articles dealing with this intellectual crises, these include a chapter on ijtihad's role and history, important since our intellectual problems cannot be solved without the scholars' use of independent reasoning and creativity. Another discusses imitation (taqlid) calling upon Muslim scholars and intellectuals to abandon imitation and to stop favoring the past over the present when trying to solve modern problems. Another looks at human rights.