Beyond Beards and Burqas

Most people live or work among Muslim colleagues and neighbours, or mingle with Islamic people on trips overseas. But many Christians struggle to see beyond the stereotypes to connect in depth with the people they meet.In this winsome book Martin Goldsmith recounts colourful stories from a lifetime of conversations and friendships with Muslims in various countries around the world, including the UK.Part-travelogue, part-biography, readers are whisked from an English college garden to an Afghan market, from a London secondary school to a North African tourist destination, from Dubai airport to a home in Scotland, all the while becoming better equipped to make their own connections with Muslims - to the glory of God.CONTENTS:IntroductionHaji Ahmed: can we know God?Muslim students: speaking upAirport encounters: reflections on prayer and jihadOn the waiting list for Jesus: when cultures mergeSuleiman and the jinn: folk Islam and evil spiritsThe polygamous sheikh: what about other faiths?Dr Abdul: life in a multifaith worldWalking in the sandals of the judges: meeting the qadisMuhammad, Ali and the whirling dervishes: exploring SufismTariq and Hussein: Afghan storiesConnecting with Christians: making the most of tourismConclusionAppendix