Introduction to Islam in the 21st Century

Aminah Beverly McCloud is Professor of Islamic Studies in the Department of Religious Studies at DePaul University and the Director of the Islamic World Studies Program.Scott Hibbard is an Associate Professor in the Department of Political Science at DePaul University, where he teaches courses on Middle East Politics, International Relations, and Religion and Politics. Laith Saud is Visiting Assistant Professor in the Department of Religious Studies at DePaul University, and an expert on Middle East politics.

“This unique and challenging textbook describes the historical background and present diversity of political and intellectual currents in Islam in its various forms. . . This is a compact and sophisticated text, suitable for graduate students seeking to understand the roots and development of modern Islamic movements and contestations.”  (Religious Studies Review, 1 December 2013)"Designed as a student-friendly textbook, Brown explores Islam's origins, major features, and lasting influence. Brown, who has lived and taught in Egypt and Pakistan, offers both a sympathetic description and a critical analysis." (Islamic Horizons, November 2009)

• Notes on Contributors xvAcknowledgments xviiiPart I Overview: Islam: Image and Reality 11 Introduction 3Aminah Beverly McCloud, Scott W. Hibbard, and Laith Saud2 The Historical Context 13Aminah Beverly McCloud, Scott W. Hibbard, and Laith Saud3 Religious Structures: Tawhid 31Laith Saud4 Islamic Beliefs: The Development of Islamic Ideas 51Laith Saud5 Islamic Political Theology 81Laith SaudPart II Islam and the Modern World 1096 Islam and the State: Part I 111Scott W. Hibbard7 Islam and the State: Part II 135Scott W. Hibbard8 Muslims as Minorities in the West 157Aminah Beverly McCloudPart III Regional Studies 1719 Islam in Africa 173Babacar Mbengue10 Islam in South Asia 203Saeed A. Khan11 Islam in Central Asia 217Maria Louw12 Islam in Indonesia and Malaysia 233Aminah Beverly McCloud13 Muslim Histories in Latin America and the Caribbean 249John Tofik KaramPart IV Islam in a Globalized World 26914 The Ecology of Teaching about Islam and Muslims in the 21st Century 271Aminah Beverly McCloud15 Terrorism, Islamophobia, and the Media 285Scott W. HibbardConclusion: Image and Reality Reconsidered 309Aminah Beverly McCloud, Scott W. Hibbard, and Laith SaudIndex 315