Islam and Global Dialogue: Religious Pluralism and the Pursuit of Peace

"At a time when the world is becoming increasingly interdependent, multi-cultural and multi-religious, the concept of religious pluralism is under assault as a result of hatred, prejudice and misunderstanding from both religious exclusivists and dogmatic secularists." In this important and timely book, twenty internationally acclaimed scholars and leading religious thinkers respond to contemporary challenges in different ways. Some discuss the idea of a dialogue of civilisations; others explore the interfaith principles and ethical resources of their own spiritual traditions. All of them reject the notion that any single religion can claim a monopoly of wisdom; all are committed to the ideal of a just and peaceful society in which people of different religions and cultures can happily coexist. More space is given here to Islam than to Judaism and Christianity because, as a result of negative stereotypes, it is the most misunderstood of the major world religions.

Mostly British and American scholars of religion—though other countries and disciplines are represented as well—strive to promote mutual understanding between Jews, Christians, and Muslims, and to demonstrate that there is no contradiction between Islam and the concept of religious pluralism. They define the issue of pluralism; ask whether relations between Islam and the West are a clash or a dialogue; and present Jewish, Christian, and Muslim responses to religious diversity. Annotation ©2006 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR