ASSIGNMENT 1

SUBMITTED BY: ISHA ALI SHAH

SUBMMITTED TO: MISS NAZRA SHAIKH

 Find 07 Western authors who have discussed Islam in their writings and explain
their viewpoint. Support your answer with four quotes at least from their written
materials.

1. Reza Aslan:
Reza Aslan is an Iranian-American writer, television host, and religious studies academic.
His book "Zealot: The Life and Times of Jesus of Nazareth," which became a New York
Times bestseller, is arguably the work for which he is best known. Other books that examine
religion, politics, and society include "God: A Human History" and "No god but God: The
Origins, Evolution, and Future of Islam," written by Aslan. If we talk about his viewpoint so
he often emphasizes the diversity and complexity of Islam. He advocates for a nuanced
understanding of the religion beyond stereotypes and misconceptions.

Quote from "No god but God: The Origins, Evolution, and Future of Islam": "The Qur'an
repeatedly insists that God is not an exclusive possession of the Muslims, that he cannot be
monopolized by one creed."

Islam is portrayed in "No god but God" as a dynamic, energetic religion with a rich past and a
complicated connection with the modern world. According to Aslan, there should be respect
for the variety of Muslim experiences and a dedication to promoting communication and
mutual understanding across various religious and cultural groups.

2. Douglas Murray:
British writer, journalist, and pundit Douglas Murray is well-known for his conservative
stances on a range of social, political, and cultural topics. He has written a great deal on a
variety of subjects, frequently from a critical standpoint, including religion, immigration,
diversity, and identity politics.

Quote from "The Strange Death of Europe: Immigration, Identity, Islam": "Europe is
committing suicide. Or at least its leaders have decided to commit suicide."

In his best-known work, "The Strange Death of Europe: Immigration, Identity, Islam,"
Murray makes the case that a lack of cultural confidence, widespread immigration, and
dwindling native population birth rates are the main causes of Europe's current problem. He
contends that these elements are causing profound changes in European identity and values.

3. Robert Spencer:
American author and pundit Robert Spencer is well-known for his works on terrorism,
jihadism, and Islam. He is the creator and director of the website Jihad Watch, which keeps
an eye on and reports on matters pertaining to jihad and radical Islam.
Spencer frequently addresses the conceptual foundations of Islamic extremism and the
dangers it presents to Western societies in his writings. Among his many works on these
subjects are "The Politically Incorrect Guide to Islam (and the Crusades)," "The Truth About
Muhammad: Founder of the World's Most Intolerant Religion," and "The Complete Infidel's
Guide to ISIS."
Spencer's critics claim that his extremely simple views on Islam incite discrimination and
terror toward Muslims. They charge him with selectively using data and falsifying Islamic
history and religion to support his claims. Additionally, he is charged by others with
encouraging Islamophobia and escalating anti-Muslim sentiments.Supporters of Spencer, on
the other hand, see him as a brave voice warning against Islamic radicalism and promoting
the preservation of Western civilization and values. They contend that his writings are crucial
for bringing jihadism's threat to light and encouraging a more critical analysis of Islam's past
and beliefs.

Quote from "The Politically Incorrect Guide to Islam (and the Crusades)": "Muhammad's
wars against unbelievers are historically documented and form the basis of Islamic law
regarding warfare."

Spencer tends to emphasize what he sees as the more militant and aggressive features of
Islam, and his opinion on Muhammad's wars against unbelievers is a reflection of his broader
views on Islam.

4. Bernard Lewis:
Bernard Lewis was a prominent scholar whose contributions to the subject of Middle Eastern
studies have endured. He continues to be a well-known person in academia and made a
substantial contribution to our understanding of the Middle East's politics, history, and
culture.
"The Arabs in History," one of Lewis's most well-known books, offers a thorough synopsis of
Arab history from the advent of Islam to the present. In addition, he published a great deal
about Ottoman history, penning books like "The Emergence of Modern Turkey" and "The
Ottoman Empire: A Short History."

Quote from "The Crisis of Islam: Holy War and Unholy Terror": "Islam, like other religions,
faces its own internal problems of consistency and interpretation and implementation, and it
is not helped by having these compounded from outside."

Lewis's point of view in this quotation emphasizes how complicated Islam is as a theological
and cultural entity and how crucial it is to comprehend both internal dynamics and exterior
influences while examining the problems that Muslim societies face. He presents Islam as a
religion battling both internal and external forces that may affect how it is understood and
practiced, rather than as a religion that is fundamentally faulty.

5.John L. Esposito:
American Islamic studies expert John L. Esposito is a well-known figure in the field of
interfaith communication and understanding. He is the founding director of Georgetown
University's Prince Alwaleed bin Talal Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding in
addition to being a professor of religion and international affairs.Esposito is the author of
multiple works about religion in international affairs, the Middle East, and Islam. "Islam: The
Straight Path," "The Oxford History of Islam," and "Who Speaks for Islam? " are a few of his
noteworthy works. How One Billion Muslims Actually Feel." These publications provide
thorough and understandable summaries of Islamic thought, history, and current
affairs.Esposito's viewpoint is frequently distinguished by its focus on discourse, variety, and
nuance.
Quote from "Islam: The Straight Path": "Islam is simultaneously a system of religious beliefs
and practices, and an historical, social, and cultural tradition."

According to Esposito's viewpoint, comprehending Islam requires a comprehension of its

social dynamics, historical evolution, and cultural manifestations. He contends that Islam has
changed over time in reaction to shifting historical events and has been influenced by a
variety of cultural settings. In order to provide readers with a more complex and
comprehensive knowledge of Islam, Esposito presents Islam as a whole tradition. He urges
readers to examine Islam's rich historical and cultural legacy as well as its modern
expressions, rather than reducing it to a set of inflexible dogmas or stereotypes.

6.Elif Shafak:
Elif Shafak is a Turkish-British author, lecturer, and supporter of women's liberties and
rights. She is well-known for her novels, which frequently touch on subjects like gender,
ethnic diversity, identity, and belonging.Among the many well-known books that Shafak has
authored are "The Bastard of Istanbul," "The Forty Rules of Love," "Three Daughters of
Eve," and "10 Minutes 38 Seconds in This Strange World." Her writing is distinguished by its
deep narratives, complicated storylines, and examination of difficult social and political
subjects.

Quote from "The Bastard of Istanbul": "Just because you can't see something doesn't mean it
isn't there. Just because you can't see something doesn't mean it isn't there. Just because you
can't see something doesn't mean it isn't there."

The phrase "Just because you can't see something doesn't mean it isn't there" is repeated
several times in Elif Shafak's "The Bastard of Istanbul," and it serves as a metaphor for
something deeper than the simple concept of visibility.
Shafak's larger perspective on the complex issues of truth, identity, and human existence is
reflected in this quote. It implies that although some experiences, realities, and truths might
not be instantly evident or visible to the unaided sight, that doesn't mean that their presence or
significance is any less significant.Within the framework of "The Bastard of Istanbul," this
quotation might make reference to the concealed pasts, repressed identities, and unsaid
realities that the characters in the book contend with. It challenges readers to think about the
possibility of deeper levels of reality, feelings, and connections than are sometimes obvious
at first glance.

7. Ayaan Hirsi Ali:

Dutch-American activist, writer, and former politician Ayaan Hirsi Ali was born in Somalia.
She is well-known for her vocal criticism of Islam, especially in regards to how it treats
women and whether or not it is compatible with contemporary Western values. In her
autobiography "Infidel," Hirsi Ali describes how she went from a strict Muslim upbringing in
Somalia to becoming a vocal opponent of Islam and supporter of women's rights. This book
brought her recognition on a global scale. Her experiences with forced marriage, genital
mutilation, and religious persecution are described in depth in the book, along with her
eventual rejection of Islam and acceptance of secularism.

Quote from "Infidel": "As long as I could remember, the life of a Muslim woman was one of
repression."
The way that Hirsi Ali feels about this quote highlights her larger criticism of Islam and how
it treats women. She contends that conventional Islamic beliefs and customs frequently cast
women in subordinate roles and restrict them access to fundamental liberties. She therefore
promotes reform within Muslim communities in order to question and alter these repressive
customs and traditions.