 Understanding
Islam:
A Selected Bibliographic Introduction
to the
Law, Civilization, and Religion of the Muslim World
Prepared by the Flint
Public Library in partnership with the C.S. Mott Foundation
The
Koran | Beliefs and Practices | History | Arts
Understanding Islamic Fundamentalism | Adult
Video | Adult Web Sites
Resources for Islamic Materials | Children's
Selections
THE KORAN
THE KORAN
translated by N.J. Dawood. [297/Ko]
A revised, updated translation of
the Koran. The clear, fluent, authoritative English rendering
of this holiest of Muslim texts preserves the characteristic
flavor and rhythm of the original, following the sequence of
the Koranic suras.
THE MEANING OF THE GLORIOUS KORAN
translated by Marmaduke Pickthall.
[297/Me]
This edition of the Koran, part of
the "Modern Library," is one of the most widely read
translations of the Koran. It is written in modern English and,
as such, is highly accessible to modern readers.
THE MEANING OF THE HOLY QUR’AN
by Abdullah Yusuf Ali [297/Al]
Considered the most popular English
translation of the Holy Qur’an, this edition has the complete
original Arabic text, English translation, as well as the extensive
footnotes and commentary by Abdullah Yusuf Ali, the early 20th
century Muslim statesman, politician, and Qur’anic exegesis
scholar.
QUR’AN AND WOMEN :
REREADING THE SACRED TEXT FROM A WOMAN’S PERSPECTIVE
by Amina Wadud [297/Wa]
The first interpretive reading of
the Qur’an by a woman, this work confirms that gender equality
is indeed a part of Islamic teaching.
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BELIEFS
AND PRACTICES
ELEMENTARY TEACHINGS OF ISLAM
by Mohammed Abdul-Aleem Siddiqui [297/Si]
This question and answer booklet covers
most of the questions a newcomer to Islam would have. It is designed
to help new converts gain knowledge of their faith
HOW TO UNDERSTAND ISLAM
by Jacques Jomier [297/Jo]
The author discusses "the religious
aspects of the emergence and expansion of the Islamic empire,
Islamic dogma, and laws and practices of Islamic society."
ISLAM IN A NUTSHELL
by Muhammad Hamidullah [297/Ha]
This booklet was designed as a brief
introduction to Islamic belief and practice for people who are
new to the faith or are considering becoming Muslims.
ISLAM: THE STRAIGHT PATH
by John L. Esposito. [297/Es]
Esposito writes a succinct, up-to-date
survey of the Islamic experience, giving readers a solid understanding
of the faith, belief, and practice of Islam from its origins
to the present.
LIVING ISLAM :
FROM SAMARKAND TO STORNOWAY
by Akbar S. Ahmed [297/Ah]
This deeply thoughtful book examines
Islam, its history, its culture, its values, and helps to dispel
Western prejudices about this poorly understood but dominant
world religion.
SILENT NO MORE; CONFRONTING AMERICA’S
FALSE IMAGES OF ISLAM
by Paul Findley [297.2/Fi]
Congressman Paul Findley’s trip
to South Yemen to plead for the release of an imprisoned U.S.
citizen started him on an unexpected journey through the world
of Islam that continued for twenty-five years and inspired this
book.
WHAT MUSLIMS BELIEVE
by John Bowker. [297/Bo]
Bowker has compiled an explanation
of Muslim religious beliefs from interviews with practitioners
around the world. The book is based on a series of radio broadcasts
compiled for the BBC World Service.
THE WORD OF ISLAM =
[LA ILAH ILLA ALLAH MUHAMMAD RASUL ALLAH]
edited by John Alden Williams [297/Wo]
Compiled with the intention of letting
Islam describe itself in its own words, this book is an important
source for all students of Muslim culture and world religions.
It includes an interpretation of the Qur’an, as well as
portions of the Hadith—sayings and actions of the Prophet—Islamic
law, mysticism (Sufism), theology, and sectarian writings.
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HISTORY
THE
CULTURAL ATLAS OF ISLAM
by Isma’il R. Al-Faruqi [R297/Al]
This magnificent book presents the
entire world view of Islam – its beliefs, traditions, institutions,
and its place in the cultures in which it has taken root.
A HISTORY OF THE ARAB PEOPLES
by Albert Hourani [956/Ho]
Although ten years old, this is still
considered one of the best introductory works on Arab history
available. It covers 13 centuries of Arab history, with a greater
emphasis on the last 200 years.
ISLAM: A SHORT HISTORY
by Karen Armstrong [297/Am]
The focus of this book is on Islam
as a political force, in particular how the idea of a religious
community was central to the development of Islam. Armstrong’s
clear explanation of Islamic beliefs and practices will help
dispel many of the misconceptions that non-Muslim’s hold
about this great world religion.
 ISLAM
AND THE WEST
by Bernard Lewis [297/Le]
Edited by one of the West’s
foremost scholars of Islam, this book is a collection of essays
on the clash between Western and Islamic cultures.
MUHAMMAD AND THE ORIGINS OF ISLAM
by F.E. Peters [297/Pe]
This work is a biography of the Prophet
Muhammad with a special emphasis on his religious development.
THE OXFORD HISTORY OF ISLAM
edited by John Esposito [297/Ox]
An extensive survey of the history
of Islam wherever it is found, including China and parts of Sub-Saharan
Africa that are often overlooked in books on this topic.
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ARTS
THE ART AND ARCHITECTURE OF ISLAM: 650-1250
by Richard Ettinghausen [709.1767/Et]
Starting just after the founding of
Islamic culture, this book traces the development of that culture’s
artistic nature. Lavishly illustrated, it covers not only the
art of Muslims, but also the effect that they had on the artistic
life of the communities with which they interacted.
THE ART AND ARCHITECTURE OF ISLAM: 1250-1800
by Sheila S. Blair [709.1767/Bl]
The second of a two volume set, this
book covers many of the great masterpieces of Islamic art, including
the famed Taj Mahal.
ISLAMIC ARTS
by Jonathan Bloom [Reference 709.948/Bl]
In this comprehensive survey the authors
highlight those characteristics that connect the various arts
of all the Islamic lands without minimizing the differences.
POTTERY OF THE ISLAMIC WORLD: IN THE
TAREQ RAJAB MUSEUM
by Geza Fehervari [738.3/Fe]
The world of pottery provides one
of the defining themes of Islamic art. This book presents the
history and development of Islamic pottery through ninety selected
vessels and tiles. The book is beautifully illustrated with over
100 color photographs which include supplementary plates showing
excavated kilns, kiln-wasters and Islamic monuments decorated
with tile work.
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UNDERSTANDING
ISLAMIC FUNDAMENTALISM
THE CHALLENGE OF FUNDAMENTALISM :
POLITICAL ISLAM AND THE NEW WORLD DISORDER
by Bassam Tibi [320.55/Ti]
Written by a Muslim and a descendent
of famous Islamic scholars, Tibi’s book is a useful contrast
to the Western viewpoint from which most books on Islamic fundamentalism
are written. Tibi draws a firm distinction between Islam as a
faith and fundamentalism as a political movement, a distinction
that is often blurred in our Western perception.
ISLAM WILL CONQUER ALL OTHER RELIGIONS
AND AMERICAN POWER WILL DIMINISH: READ HOW ALLAH (GOD’S)
PREDICTION WILL SOON COME TO PASS
by Mohamed Azad and Bibi Amina [320.55/Az]
This is a view of the conflict between
the West and Islam from a point of view that Westerner’s
don’t often hear. The authors cover the history of Islam’s
conquests, both physical and spiritual, and demonstrate that
it is the fastest growing religion in the world.
THE RISE OF THE ISLAMIC EMPIRE AND THE
THREAT TO THE WEST
by Anthony J. Dennis [320.55/De]
At the time it was written, this book
predicted that Islamic fundamentalism would become a threat to
world stability, a prediction that has come true. Dennis’ work
covers the transnational Islamic fundamentalist movement’s
goals and methods in detail and should be a great help in understanding
this powerful movement.
TRIUMPH OF DISORDER: ISLAMIC
FUNDAMENTALISM, THE NEW FACE OF WAR
by Morgan Norva [320.55/No]
Written by the director of a Washington,
D.C. think tank devoted to the study of terrorism, this book
describes the threat that Islamic terrorism poses to the West.
Rather than simply looking at the religious aspects of Islamic
fundamentalism in isolation, Norva also explains the causes of
discontent in the Islamic world that create an atmosphere in
which such movements can breed.
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ADULT
VIDEO
FIVE PILLARS OF ISLAM
[VT 297]
The essential principles on which
Islam rests — the five pillars are put into historical
perspective in this video. Viewers are introduced to the huge
international mosaic of Moslem believers and the conflict between
traditional teachings and the effects of industrialization.
GREAT RELIGIONS AND THE POOR
[VT 291]
Explores the beliefs of Judaism, Christianity,
and Islam regarding the poor and explains the theological basis
for identifying the poor, as well as the modern means for the
world’s religions to provide relief. A good study in comparative
religious thought and behavior.
HOLY PLACES AND PILGRIMAGE
[VT 291]
This program examines the meaning
of holiness and how it is born of people, places, and events
within Christianity, Judaism, and Islam. Also explored is the
importance of pilgrimages to believers who seek to be closer
to God.
ISLAM
[VT 956]
A Smithsonian production that discusses
the history and culture of the worlds of Islam, not only as a
religion, but as a way of life.
ISLAM, A CLOSE LOOK
[VT 297]
Discusses the tenets and modern practices
of Islam.
MESSAGE
[VT 297]
The dramatic story of Mohammed, the
prophet who founded Islam. Also includes the documentary, Making
of an Epic: Mohammad, Messenger of God.
RAMADAN
produced and directed by Fabian-Baber
Communications, Inc. [VT j394.26 Ho]
Educational series that explores the
customs, rituals and folklore associated with Ramadan celebrated
in our country. ("Holidays for Children" video series)
WISDOM OF FAITH
[VT 291]
Hosted by Bill Moyers, Huston Smith
relates his experiences with the world’s greatest religions
and attempts to show how all of these "wisdom traditions" share
fundamental truths.
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ADULT
WEB SITES
AMERICAN
MOSLEM FOUNDATION
http://www.oz.net/~msarram/
The American Moslem Foundation is
a non-political organization that assists Muslim immigrants,
the children of such immigrants, and established American Muslims.
AMERICAN MUSLIM COUNCIL (AMC)
http://www.amconline.org
The American Muslim Council was established
in 1990 to increase the effective participation of American Muslims
in the U.S. political and public policy arenas.
CENTER
FOR MUSLIM-CHRISTIAN UNDERSTANDING
http://cmcu.georgetown.edu/
Under the aegis of Georgetown University,
the center was founded in 1993 to foster a better understanding
of Islam and Muslim-Christian relations in the West.
COUNCIL
ON AMERICAN-ISLAMIC RELATIONS (CAIR)
http://www.cair-net.org
Believing that misrepresentations
of Islam are most often the result of ignorance on the part of
non-Muslims and a reluctance on the part of Muslims to articulate
their case, CAIR was established to promote a positive image
of Islam and Muslims in America.
INTERNATIONAL
INSTITUTE OF ISLAMIC THOUGHT
http://www.iiit.org
The Institute is an intellectual forum
working from an Islamic perspective to promote and support research
projects, organize intellectual and cultural meetings, and publish
scholarly works.
ISLAMONLINE
http://www.muslims.net
This is a unique, global Islamic site
on the Internet that provides services to Muslims and non-Muslims
in several languages. It also aspires to become a reference for
everything that deals with Islam — its science, civilization,
and nation.
ISLAM
WEB
http://www.islamweb.net
A site dedicated to the teachings of Islam with several links
to other Islamic sites, including information on what is a Muslim,
daily prayers, current events. Information for children and adults
are included here.
RELIGIOUS TOLERANCE.ORG
http://www.religioustolerance.org/islam.htm
Religions from around the world are covered in this site. The
section on Islam includes an introduction to Islam, a comparison
of Islam and Christianity, taking a pilgrimage to Mecca (The
Hajj), and many more topics to help one understand the religion
and the people who practice it.
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RESOURCES
FOR ISLAMIC MATERIALS
AMANA
PUBLICATIONS
10710 Tucker St.
Beltsville, MD 20705-2223
(301) 595-5777
http://www.amana-publications.com/index.shtml
ASTROLABE
ISLAMIC MEDIA—
BOOKS, VIDEOS, SOFTWARE, AUDIO, GIFTS
(800) 392-7876
http://www.astrolabepictures.com/
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