BOOK REVIEW

“Living Islam”, By Akbar S Ahmed, publisher, BBC

Books Limited, Woodlands, London, Pages 223, Hard back.

Mr Akbar S Ahmed is a distinguished anthropologist, writer and

commentator on Islamic affairs. He has been a visiting professor at the
“Institute of Advanced Study”, Princeton and at Harvard University. He
has also been affiliated with Cambridge University. He is the first
Pakistani to have been elected a member of the Council of the Royal
Anthropological Institute and has been awarded “Sitara -e- Imtiaz” for
his academic distinction. Other books from the Authors pen are
“Discovering Islam” and “Postmodernism and Islam”.

Theme of this book is to present the actual picture of Islam to

West. Western nations have a different and wrong idea of Islam, which
asks for better understanding between the two to reduce the existing
tension. The book aims at developing a non-Muslim reader’s mind to
be able to say in the end, “I understand you are different but I also
know the difference”. Author has tried to examine the conflict between
Islam and the ideologies of West and the problems Muslims face in the
modern world. He has considered three great Muslims empires of the
past, the Ottomans, the Safavids and the Mughals. Of present, he
talked about three modern nations inspired by those empires namely,
Turkey, Iran and Pakistan. He looked at the pressures, conflicts and
practices of Muslims living as minorities, weather in India, USA and
Europe, including the impassioned issue of racism.

The book is divided into six chapters. Chapter 1 is titled

“Introduction to Raising Questions”. Author has pointed out that about
ten million Muslims live in the west, shared equally between USA and
Europe, and so many others living as minority in rest of the world.
There is a definite need to develop mutual understanding and drawing
the actual picture of Islam to the West. In the process, author has
identified and explained few misused terms like “Jihad”, “Ummah”,
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and “Fundamentalism”. Islam unlike other religions does not reject the
world; it rather provides an ideal and complete code of life.
Chapter 2 is regarding the basics of Islam. Author has discussed
about the life of Holy Prophet and it’s impact on Muslims and their
social customs. He has argued the points of western critics and brought
out the commonalties and differences with other religions as regards
the Messenger of God. Later, he discussed The Message (Holy Quran),
its concept and understanding. He underlined the universal nature of
Quran; it’s guidance for entire humanity and an ideal social path. Next,
he introduced “The five Pillars of Islam”. Lastly, he discussed the
Sunni and Shia divisions in Islam.

Chapter 3 is titled, “The Challenge of the Past”. The story

revolves around the golden history of Muslims, their great Empires /
Dynasties and their comparison with the contemporary Rules. Author
has chronologically developed the discussion about salient features of
Muslim rule, including Islamic Khilafat (632-661 AD), Ottomans,
Safavids and Mughal empires.

Chapter – 4 (When worlds collide), gives out the comparison of

Muslim nations and Western modernity. Author has mainly considered
Turkey, Iran and Pakistan and discussed the dilemmas of modernity
including the role of democracy, family life, Muslim women and social
customs. He has talked of Kamal Ataturk, who rejected the Ottoman
structure and replaced it with modern westernized one in Turkey; Shah
of Iran who emphasised the Pahlavi and pre Islamic identity of Iran and
Quaid-e-Azam who was a model of British Parliamentarian. He has
covered creation of Pakistan in a little more detail signifying it’s
ideology.

Chapter – 5 is a discussion of “Muslims as Minorities”. Author

identifies that no religion in the world has so many people trapped in an
alien environment as the Muslims. Their most of the problems come up
from religion and dignity (particularly of their families). What threaten
their non-Muslim govts are the notion of Ummah and the concept of
Jihad. He has made few recommendations for Muslim minorities in the
west. Firstly, develop an indigenous leadership (may be through local
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converts); secondly, stereotypical negative image of Islam be

transformed through media; thirdly, provocative anti Christian
polemics should be avoided; fourthly, cooperation among themselves
instead of concerning diverse ethnic groups; fifthly, should involve
themselves in Dawah (Tableegh).

Theme of chapter 6 is “idea of Islam in the West”. Author

identifies the basic confrontations and talks about the cultural
differences, strength of media, basis of politics, concept of Jihad,
Shariah, fundamentalism and Crusader mentality of Christians
(visualising Islam as threat). Towards the end he looks at the future of
Islam and recommends following to bridge the gap between Islam and
the West: -

(a) Media needs to be more balanced and understanding.

(b) West to look at Muslims as equals and not inferiors or
terrorists.
(c) More conferences and seminars, to explain Islam.
(d) Basic knowledge of Islam could be taught in western
schools, as ignorance breeds fear and prejudice.
(e) Major problems causing anger and distress among Muslims
need to be addressed. Like Bosnia / Kosovo in Europe,
Palestine in Middle East and Kashmir in South Asia.

“Living Islam” which accompanied the BBC TV series of the same

name, is a deeply thoughtful book, which can help to dispel Western
prejudices and lead to better understanding of Islam. The author has
covered the history of Muslims, their past and present in Muslims /
non-Muslim countries and made very concrete recommendations to
project the image of Islam. However, he could have discussed the basic
teachings of Islam to project as a universal religion, the best code of
conduct and the religion of peace. This is a lively and readable book;
moving at a good pace, it maintains the interest of reader. It is
recommended for the people keen to have an insight of Muslim history
and culture of contemporary Muslim societies. It is also recommended
that this book be made more accessible and available in the market.