In October 1997, amidst gloomy prophesies of an imminent clash between Islamic and Western civilizations, some forty scholars, thinkers, and opinionmakers from different parts of the world came together in a seminar held in Islamabad, to debate current issues and problems concerning relations between Muslims and the West. This seminar, held under the joint auspices of the Islamic Research Institute, International Islamic University,
Islamabad and the Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, focused on exploring Western perceptions of Muslims and Muslim perceptions of the West.
The seminar was not only an academically challenging one, but marked a vital step towards building bridges of understanding and friendship across the two civilizations. Muslims and the West: Encounter and Dialogue is a collection of twelve select papers from that seminar. These papers represent a serious attempt to understand the complex relationship which exists between Muslims and the West spanning over fourteen centuries. In these papers, twelve highly distinguished scholars from across the globe address the subject with depth of understanding and sharpness of perception, in a style strikingly candid yet sober and balanced.
Edited by John L. Esposito & Zafar Ishaq Ansari
Citizenship, Security and Democracy: Muslim Engagement with the West provides greater analysis of and seeks solutions to the challenges of citizenship, security and democracy through fresh and more varied perspectives as is related to Islamic discourse and Muslim communities and their activism in the West. These concerns have never been more pressing than today. Democracy has been a global endeavour and concern, as in its ideal
form, it gives promise to liberty, freedoms and rights. However, after especially 9/11 and 7/7, securitization
has become a more immediate goal, making security the driving discourse today. But, both security and democracy are becoming ever less attainable in today’s climate of increased division and cleavages along ideological lines and Islamophobia – an acute problem for citizenship in humanity.
The selected papers from the Citizenship, Security, and Democracy conference held on September 1–3, 2006, organised by the Association of Muslim Social Scientists (AMSS UK) and the Foundation for Political, Economic and Social Research (SETA) explore issues around citizenship and identity of the Muslim diaspora. Given the backdrop to a growing political discourse on the Muslim ‘Other’, framed through the events of 9/11 and 7/7 and increased tension as a result of this discourse framing, the aim was to help discern causes to the major challenges facing governments and the safety, freedoms and dignity of individuals globally. This was attempted through the study of Islamic thought and on-the-ground case study research of Muslim societies and communities. This conference marks one of the major events to have been organised where such a large number of scholars, experts, and activists from a wide range of ideological positions and professional backgrounds come together in an ambitious attempt to resolve the most pressing issues at the turn of the 21st century.
Edited by Dr. Wanda Krause