In a Western world suddenly acutely interested in Islam, one question has been repeatedly heard above the din: where are the Muslim reformers? With this ambitious volume, Tariq Ramadan firmly establishes himself as one of Europe's leading thinkers and one of Islam's most innovative and important voices.
As the number of Muslims living in the West grows, the question of what it means to be a Western Muslim becomes increasingly important to the futures of both Islam and the West. While the media are focused on radical Islam, Ramadan claims, a silent revolution is sweeping Islamic communities in the West, as Muslims actively seek ways to live in harmony with their faith within a Western context. French, English, German, and American Muslims--women as well as men--are reshaping their religion into one that is faithful to the principles of Islam, dressed in European and American cultures, and definitively rooted in Western societies.
Ramadan's goal is to create an independent Western Islam, anchored not in the traditions of Islamic countries but in the cultural reality of the West. He begins by offering a fresh reading of Islamic sources, interpreting them for a Western context and demonstrating how a new understanding of universal Islamic principles can open the door to integration into Western societies. He then shows how these principles can be put to practical use. Ramadan contends that Muslims can - indeed must - be faithful to their principles while participating fully in the civic life of Western secular societies. Grounded in scholarship and bold in its aims, Western Muslims and the Future of Islam offers a striking vision of a new Muslim Identity, one which rejects once and for all the idea that Islam must be defined in opposition to the West.

Reviews
"In the spirit of interfaith dialogue, which Ramadan embraces, one might as well describe this book as a splendid practical catechism for Muslims in the West. There is much food for thought in it as well for non-Muslim majorities in the West and Muslim majorities in the Middle East. The book is at its best when it describes and interprets the recent explosion of accusations of witchcraft and other superstitions in the region and links them to the exercise of political power." --Foreign Affairs

Tariq Ramadan is very much a public figure, named one of Time Magazine's most important innovators of the twenty-first century. He is among the leading Islamic thinkers in the West, with a large following around the world. But he has also been a lightning rod for controversy. Indeed, in 2004, Ramadan was prevented from entering the U.S. by the Bush administration.

In What I Believe, Ramadan attempts to set the record straight, laying out the basic ideas he stands for in clear and accessible prose. He describes the book as a work of clarification, directed at ordinary citizens, politicians, journalists, and others who are curious (or skeptical) about his positions. Aware that  he is dealing with emotional issues, Ramadan tries to get past the barriers of prejudice and misunderstanding to speak directly, from the heart, to his Muslim and non-Muslim readers alike. In particular, he calls on Western Muslims to escape the mental, social, cultural, and religious ghettos they have created for themselves and become full partners in the democratic societies in which they live. At the same time, he calls for the rest of us to recognize our Muslim neighbors as citizens with rights and responsibilities the same as ours. His vision is of a future in which a shared and confident pluralism becomes a reality at last.

Reviews:

• "Tariq Ramadan, a prominent intellectual-activist in Europe and America, represents a new generation of Islamic reformers." --John L. Esposito, author of Unholy War and What Everyone Needs to Know about Islam
• "Tariq Ramadan is a Muslim Martin Luther."-- Paul Donnelly, The Washington Post
• "Ramadan's most important message--his advice to Muslims in the West to make the West their home--is one Americans should particularly welcome."-- Alan Wolfe, The Chronicle of Higher Education
• "Ramadan has started to pave out the road to reform and changes in the understanding of Islam in Muslim communities in the West."-- Le Monde Diplomatique
• "Deliberately brief, sensible and accessible.... What I Believe is not just a summary of Ramadan's own views but a primer on modern Western Muslim life."--Publishers Weekly starred review

Description
Since the terrorist attacks of September 11th, there has been an overwhelming demand for information about Islam, and recent events - the war in Iraq, terrorist attacks both failed and successful, debates throughout Europe over Islamic dress, and many others - have raised new questions in the minds of policymakers and the general public. This newly updated edition of What Everyone Needs to Know about Islam is the best single source for clearly presented, objective information about these new developments, and for answers to questions about the origin and traditions of Islam. Editor of The Oxford Encyclopedia of Modern Islam and The Oxford History of Islam, and author of The Future of Islam and many other acclaimed works, John L. Esposito is one of America's leading authorities on Islam. This brief and readable book remains the first place to look for up-to-date information on the faith, customs, and political beliefs of the more than one billion people who call themselves Muslims.
Features

• Comprehensive primer on Muslims and Islam, written by one of America's most respected authorities on Islam
• Fully updated edition features many new topics

About the Author(s)
University Professor, Professor of Religion and International Affairs, Professor of Islamic Studies and Founding Director of the Prince Alwaleed bin Talal Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding at the Walsh School of Foreign Service, Georgetown University

In Islam Plain and Simple, author Tariq Jalil explores the basic beliefs of Islam as well as its most controversial topics. In this highly accessible introduction, Mr. Jalil expounds upon the basis of Muslim ethics and spirituality practiced by over 1.6 billion people. With an eye toward common misconceptions held by observers in the West, and to the sometimes troubling inheritance in Muslim countries, he has woven together a well-researched narrative that challenges both stereotypes and even some practices in the Muslim world itself. Mr. Jalil's perspective and depth of understanding is invaluable for enhancing understanding and providing a dialogue for many years to come.

This translation of "Khutabat" covers themes such as Iman, Islam, the prayer, fasting, almsgiving, pilgrimage and Jihad.

Islam, the West and the Challenges of Modernity attempts to demonstrate, using sources which draw upon Islamic thought and civilization, that Muslims have the means to respond to contemporary challenges without betraying their identity. The book argues that Muslims, nourished by their own points of reference, can approach the modern epoch by proposing a specific social, political and economic management that is linked to ethical values, a sense of finalities and spirituality. This still requires, however, that the western interlocutors make a distinction between modernity and the ideology of modernism which tends to impose westernization. The latter, in its substance and other than in its well-intentioned discourse, does not admit the reality of the pluralism of civilization, religions or cultures. Topics discussed include political orientations, the notion of Shura, democracy, contemporary problems and pitfalls, economic directives, individual spending, community life, general economic principles in Islam, profound reform, Islamic banks, human rights, freedom, fears and hopes, the problems of the modern age for Muslim nations, and more.

Path to Wisdom: A Guidance for Humanity focuses on the various aspects of human existence through the eyes of Muslim thinkers and writers of the past. It urges the reader to reflect upon their inner and outer existence and subsequently live a more aware and meaningful life, with a deeper consciousness of God, themselves and the world around them. It begins from the essence of human nature itself: "Reflection" and takes the reader on a journey through a range of human experiences, ending in "Death". It asks only that in the modern world of materialism and instant gratification, the reader chooses a more reflective and self-aware path. Through the range of Muslim thinkers used, the book seeks to establish that Islam is rich with wisdom that has often been acquired through intense study and soul-searching. Furthermore, it argues that the acquisition of such wisdom is within the reach of all of us via our own journeys through life, with a little help from our predecessors.

Islamic Daiyah, Amro Khaled, discusses in his book some of Islam's principals and religious practices, such as - Ikhlass, Tawbah, Tawakkol, Man's love to God, God's love to man, Moujahadat Al-Nafs, the road to Jannah, and Khishiah - explaining their meaning and showing the importance of adhering to them through examples driven from the Holy Qur’an.

Written by authorities in Arabic, The Reparation of Hearts - Islah Al-Koloob (Arabic Edition) by Amro Khaled provides an excellent foundation for Arabic studies. Amro Khaled’s style is excellently suited towards Arabic studies, and will teach students the material clearly without overcomplicating the subject. As of May 2005, this revision raises the bar for The Reparation of Hearts - Islah Al-Koloob (Arabic Edition)’s high standard of excellence, making sure that it stays one of the foremost Arabic studies textbooks

Islamic advocate Amr Khaled discusses contemplation, or thought, as a means of worship in this booklet. It also includes his viewpoints on the creation of the universe and human beings. He defines the value of thinking as being one of the greatest acts of worship, which helps humans draw nearer to Allah. Through contemplation, humans become aware of the presence of Allah and understand the importance of worship. By thinking about the universe, and all that it contains, mankind can see that there is a design to every aspect of it and a Designer behind it all.

In the first part, Amr Khaled focuses on the creation of the universe. He points out that Allah’s power; greatness and wisdom are seen quite clearly in His creation. There are countless evidences that exist that unequivocally point to a Creator who continues to oversee His creation, such as:

• The creation of the universe and all it contains.
• The greatness of the Earth and the Heavens, as revealed in the Holy Quran.
• The creation of the solar system.
• The creation of earth.
• The atmosphere and how it balances life on earth.
• The creation of mankind.
• The creation of the plant and animal kingdoms.
• In the second part, Amr Khaled delves specifically into the creation of man and clarifies that a drop of semen propagates the human race. He also provides a detailed interpretation of a portion of verse 35:28, Surah Fatir, from the Holy Quran that reads:
  “…those truly fear Allah, among His Servants, who have knowledge: for Allah is Exalted in Might, Oft-Forgiving.”

In the Early Hours is a collection of inspirational advice by a dear and beloved teacher Ustaadh Khurram Murad on the subject of spiritual and self-development. In it, he sets out the goal of the believer - the single-minded desire to seek the good pleasure of God. He then outlines the methods and instruments which must be used in the attainment of that ultimate goal. This book, we hope, will serve as a useful companion on your journey towards the meeting with your Lord.