The Contemporary Arab Reader on Political Islam

'A fascinating examination of a range of Arab interpretations of Islam and Islamism, including reflections on jihad, Israel/Palestine, and responses to the West since 9/11...Highly recommended.'-Jane Smith, Harvard Divinity School

'Professor Abu-Rabi' has opened up a panorama of modern political thought that we scarce knew existed. The result is an absolutely indispensible compendium on contemporary Islamist movements that no student of current affairs can ignore.'-Hamid Dabashi, author of Islamic Liberation Theology: Resisting the Empire (2008)

'These essays are the most enlightening documents that I have ever read. Their ideological and geographic range is unmatched in its analytical depth. This volume allows major figures of the Islamic movement to take the reader beyond the West's fixation on Qutb and his violent rendition of Islamic thought.'-Ghada Hashem Talhami, D.K. Pearsons Professor of Politics, Lake Forest College

'Finally, in one volume, we can engage with the thinking of a diverse movement...Most of the essays have been translated into English for the first time and the masterful introductory essay by Professor Abu-Rabi' is worth the price of the volume on its own.'-David J. Goa, Director; Chester Ronning Centre for the Study of Religion 81 Public Life, University of Alberta

'The interpretations are varied and clearly refute the simplistic and often incorrect generalisations about Islam and Islamism that are too often expressed in the Western world. Anyone interested in modern trends in Islam, the Middle East and/or comparative religious movements should read this book.'-Norton Mezvinsky, Emeritus Professor of History and President, International Council for Middle East Studies

An excellent collection...Studded with intellectual gems, this valuable volume will help the serious student of Islamuand of Islam as political discourseuto better understand not only the pluralistic nature of the Islamist movement, but also the complexity of political cross currents and political turmoil in the Arab world.'-Baha Abu-Laban, Professor Emeritus of Sociology, University of Alberta

Ibrahim M. Abu-Rabi' is the holder of the Edmonton Council of Muslim Communities Chair of Islamic Studies at the University of Alberta. His many books include The Blackwell Companion to Contemporary Islamic Thought (2006), and Contemporary Arab Thought (Pluto Press, 2005).