Books

by Richard McGregor

Books Reviewed:
The Great Theft: Wrestling Islam from the Extremists
by Khaled M. Abou El Fadl
The Shia Revival: How Conflicts Within Islam Will Shape the Future
by Vali Nasr
Journey of the Jihadist: Inside Muslim Militancy
by Fawaz A. Gerges
Wahhabism: A Critical Essay
by Hamid Algar

Reviewed by Richard McGregor

When I am asked why Muslims have not stood up to denounce terrorism, I often suggest that the questioner do a Google search under "fatwa against terrorism" (it will spew some 80,000 hits), or I ask if he or she knows where in the Muslim world the largest demonstrations against the attacks of 9/11 took place (Tehran and Karachi). I've spent years in various parts of the Islamic world, and it's obvious that militant political religion does appeal to some Muslims. But most Muslims do not approve of terrorism or acquiesce in it. Their typical response to terrorism is fear, stress and anxiety-fear in the face of agents of extremism who feel unconstrained by mainstream Islamic law; stress at the thought of a son or daughter becoming a supposed holy warrior; and anxiety over the future of an entire faith community.

Barrier: the Seam of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict
by Isabel Kershner, 2005. Palgrave Macmillan.

Reviewed by Peter Ryan

The barrier that now separates ordinary Palestinians and Israelis is no longer symbolic-it is physical. In densely populated areas, the barrier takes the form of a giant "wall," composed of concrete slabs 8 meters high and 45 centimeters thick. Outside of cities, the barrier takes the form of a "fence," which in reality includes a 45 meter wide "buffer zone" composed of ditches, mounds of razor barbed-wire, security cameras and non-civilian roads patrolled by Israeli military jeeps. Absurdly, the primary debate in the U.S. media over the barrier has been whether to call it a "wall" or a "fence" even though it is clearly both. Ironically, though the word itself seems to indicate something innocent and benign, the "fence" portions of the barrier are arguably an even worse affront to Palestinian sovereignty because these sections tend to seize control over an even larger slice of Palestinian land.

Saddam's Secrets: How An Iraqi General Defied and Survived Saddam Hussein

By Georges Sada (with Jim Nelson), Integrity Publishing

A former Iraqi Air Marshall exposes the brutality of Saddam's regime and argues that Hussein transferred Weapons of Mass Destruction to Syria before the invasion. Georges Sada's new book is sure to start a mudfight between the supporters and detractors of the U.S.-led invasion. But both will probably miss Sada's deeper message. In this deeply powerful and challenging memoir, Georges reminds us that the most powerful tool in our arsenal to forge a new Iraq is, quite simply, the power to forgive.

Reviewed by Peter Ryan

Qumsiyeh's book, Sharing The Land Of Canaan, is not primarily a history; it sketches the history of the region in order to contemplate it with respect to the contemporary quandary: the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Unfortunately for the author and publisher, poor editing and a few carelessly worded statements undermine an otherwise thorough and well-documented narrative.

Reviewed by Peter Harley

Qumsiyeh, Mazin B., Sharing the Land of Canaan, Pluto Press, 2004

The influx of aid money from Western donors into Palestine, according to a new book by Sari Hanafi and Linda Tabar, has had mixed results. Many Palestinian nonprofits are offering important services to their communities but, as their reliance on Western funders increases, their priorities change.

Reviewed by Sally Bland

As a member of the Christian Peacemakers Team in Iraq, Peggy Faw Gish was able to observe the invasion of Iraq and its aftermath. In Iraq: a Journey of Hope and Peace she describes her journey to Mesopotamia and the faith and values that give her-and the other members of her team-the courage to serve as witnesses for peace.

Reviewed by Michael Gillespie

In Shattering the Stereotypes: Muslim Women Speak Out twenty-nine women of varying origins reflect on how the fallout from Sept. 11 impacted their lives and the lives of Muslims in general.

Reviewed by Sally Bland