It is the desire of this publisher to help, after
thorough review of the whole texts, to correct the mistakes in translation
from the Arabic language or note discrepancies in facts. We believe that these mistakes are not harmless,
and that authors needed to spend more time to guarantee higher level of
accuracy in
translation and research. It is particularly important during these times to prevent
misunderstanding from causing more conflicts. We
can help!!
Understanding the codes (blue=title, maroon=our review, 5 stars=
maximum rating)
Palestine Peace Not Apartheid Jimmy
Carter
Simon & Schuster
Pages 264
ISBN 13: 978-0-7432-8502-5
Higher Grounds Review:
The Road Map to Regain Credibility
-5 stars rating for integrity.
As stated by the
author, the historical facts of the past 10 years confirm that the US has
forgone or has lost its role as an impartial partner in peace. It moved between
moderate advice to ignoring the whole issue to deferring to one party only.
The book is based on facts of History and Geography, and comes from an
eyewitness who has enormous credibility on both the national and the
international levels. He knows the facts on the ground, his place in history and
has a deep desire to secure permanent peace. The vivid images from the
stories that President Carter tells of his visits of the Holy Land are helpful
and enlightening. He defines the grim reality but without loosing hope –“in the
long run the role of the honest broker must once again be played by Washington”.
When I started reading this book, I thought right away that this is the way, and
it may be the only way left for the United States to gain back some credibility
among Arabs and Muslims. It is only through an impartial and fair assessment,
which is much stronger in this case due to the author’s close involvement and
influence on peace in this part of the world. This assessment that does not
follow the herd-mentality of the media and/or of biased observers; and that is
knowledgeable as well as humane, credible and courageous. This courage as
reflected in Carter’s undertaking is based on his roots, faith and actions. This
courage is similar to that demonstrated by those who were involved in
anti-slavery and civil rights movements to correct injustices of segregation and
discrimination. It is the courage of a man who is standing almost alone risking
all his legacy and good name to confirm historical facts that are part of his
own biography. He anticipated the repercussions and the reactions, which has
been vicious against him personally as exemplified in feedback on C-SPAN program
from a deranged caller who did not stop calling him names. In his replay “if he
would name any politician that supports his views” as honorably responded that
“he does not want to give anyone the political kiss of death”.
Carter is the kind of American hero who can bring credibility back to the US as
an impartial judge not as accomplice to the majority. His stand also highlights
in a cynical way how rare it is to find an impartial US position that will carry
similar credibility for both sides in the conflict without repercussions within
the United States. Carter once again shows how hard it is to stick to the
truth, but he knows that this is going to be the only way to provide the base
for a frank, honest and hopeful solution for the future of peace. Peace be upon
you, Jimmy Carter.
Devil’s Game How
the United States helped unleash fundamentalist Islam
Robert Dreyfuss
The American Empire Project
Pages 388
ISBN: 0-8050-7652-2
Higher Grounds Review: A A historically intriguing
description with a flow that connects many dots under one banner.
The imperial administrations (i.e., the
foreign policy arm of the superpowers that colonized or dealt with the Muslims
(peoples or governments) in the Middle East followed a specific and focused
method. Those powers always sided with the most puritan, fanatic and
ideologically driven by Islam. In many cases these Islamic sides were not all
that pure. These Islamic forces served as the paw that executed the wills and
military ambitions of these powers. This one goal was based on common and
aligned benefits. For instance, common staunch abhorrence to communism, common
belief in a free economy (which happened to be serve as antisocialist,
anti-patriotic tendencies) and also happened to have lack of respect for human
rights. This lack of respect for human rights stemmed for the Islamic zealots
from lack of proper understanding of the principles of Islam and for the
imperial powers’ from their double standards (e.g. renditions and Guantanamo
Bay). The imperial powers also used the fundamentalist forces in the Islamic
governments (e.g., Saudi Arabia) or form the populous (Muslim Brotherhood) to
defeat the patriotic national interests of anti-colonizing Nasser in Egypt and
Mossadagh in Iran.
The fruits of this alliance were numerous. They served the
imperial dreams, gave the USSR its own Vietnam, ended the cold war with minimal
losses during the 80th- 90th, and supported the victory of the State
of Israel and the SAVAK in Iran during the 50th through the 70th
of the last century. These results also as the title of the book indicates
resulted in a monster, which eventually attacked its closest ally and own coach
(not necessarily creator) and bit the hand that nurtured it. It was clear from
this repeated pattern that the monster was bound to get out of control. The
nature of the events of Killing Sadat of Egypt in the 80th, the civil unrest in
Chechnya, Khubar Towers in Saudi Arabia and the arrival of the Taliban to
rule Afghanistan in the 90th may have not all been supported, but at least
dismissed by the imperial powers. This was clear in ignoring the repeated
screaming from Mubarak’s side after he watched his predecessor killed and
suffered his share of assassination attempts. Some of these zelotes were giving
safe havens to some of the European countries. The choice to align with these
monsters however, did not stop or change much. The author and his organization (americanimperialproject.com)
explain the fake Clash of Civilizations assumption.
It is still
questionable after September 11, 2001 why the same trend/games did not abate.
Devil’s game is ongoing and the support of a lesser ideological monster will not
help stop the bigger ones.
Understanding the Quran, a contemporary
approach Mostafa Mahmoud, MD
Translated by Prof. M.M. Enani
Amana Publications, Beltsville, MD
ISBN: 1-59008-022-X
Higher Grounds Review: A milestone of the
contemporary Islamic thought
As a young adult, I was familiar with
Dr. Mahmoud and his early writings (the Mystery of death, the Mystery of life,
Satan,…etc), since I read most of them and used to see him as a best seller, non
religious writer that happened to publish his books through my family’s
publishing house (Dar el Nahda el Arabia- the Arabic Renaissance) in Cairo,
Egypt. However, “Understanding the Quran, A contemporary approach” was
originally published as weekly magazine articles, with many answers to reader’s
religious questions in a stage that marked a shift from atheism to belief in Dr.
Mahmoud’s life.
This book, both in its original Arabic text and current English translation, is
a great source of knowledge about Quran for a reader in either language. When it
was published in the early eighties, it represented progressive thinking that
stirred many discussions and raised many brows. Dr. Mahmoud is a physician and a
scientist how fulfills the description of a renaissance man. Dr. Enani, the
translator for this work, did a great job in communicating the spirit as well as
the specifics of the text with an appropriate introduction of the author, and
preface of the book.
The book includes fourteen chapters. Each chapter independently addresses a
sophisticated topic and attempts to answer eternal questions that may linger in
the minds of any human being. The main criteria of Dr. Mahmoud’s approach to
these answers are methodical, logical, and knowledgeable that integrates the
explanations and supports them with relevant and clear quotations from the
Quran. He contemplates many of the signs in the Quran with a scientific
perception that has only been available to contemporary scientists. For
instance, the shaping of the earth in an egg-shaped object, the mention of a
constant cloud-like motion of the mountains, and the role of the sperm in
defining the sex of the fetus are examples of miracles in a 15,000 old revealed
text.
He discusses the philosophy of right and wrong from an Islamic (religious) vs.
civilized non-religious prospective. He explains the quranic linguistic
structure, the nature of hell-fire/paradise, human responsibility vs
predestination, the names of God, the Day of Judgment, the sole and its nature
in addition to the philosophy of monotheism as clearly explained in the Quran.
It is curious to read his specific statements regarding “the ultimate sin” as he
defines it fanaticism/extremism. He explained that as selfishness; believing in
yourself, your desires, and the bigoted close-minded adherence to your tribe,
family or ethnicity with arrogance and dismissal of the others. He explained
that as association with God or idol- worshiping always mentioned in the Quran
as the gravest sin, self-worshiping is the contemporary and worst form of
idolatry.
He emphasis the focus of the Quran on commanding that knowledge should always be
followed/associated with deeds. He explains away the mystery about mystics
(Sufism) in Islam, and how the so-called Muslims today do not follow Islamic
values. He provides a comprehensive explanation of many concepts from an Islamic
prospective e.g., “the belief in the unseen-e.g., angles, Satan, Jin”, the
nature of sin/ punishment in Islam, the attitude towards slavery, and he
explains the highest miracle of the Quran.
In conclusion, this book is a landmark in the Muslim and Arabic contemporary
thinking. It provides the non-Muslim reader with a balanced and a representative
approach to understand many of the concepts in the most important text for any
Muslim. For the Muslim reader, this book provides snapshots and an enlightened
opinion that address many important daily questions with a comprehensive support
from the Quran.
Occidentalism
The West in the Eyes of its Enemies Ian Buruma & Avishai Margality The Penguin Press, NY
Pages 166
ISBN 1-59420-008-4
Higher Grounds Review: A short book that
is brimming with thoughtful analysis Occidentalism is the dehumanized
picture of the west as painted by its enemies. Occidentalism as a perception of
the west is similar to Orientalism as a perception of the East. This book
provides a sobering look at the issue of stereotyping. However, this time it is
the stereotyping of the West and the Western civilization. The philosopher
Nishitani Keiji blamed the religious Reformation, the Renaissance and the
emergence of natural science for the destruction of the unified spiritual
culture in Europe. Occidentalism is rooted in the "West". Slavophil 19th century
Russian nativist thinking was rooted in German romanticism. For Peter the Great,
the Western quarter equaled the German quarter. In Germany, especially Prussia,
the 18-19th centuries France was the quintessential west, powerful, inspiring
and threatening. German Romantic Movement was a product of wounded national
sensibility of dreadful national humiliation " as stated by Isaiah Berlin. As
Orintalism strips its human targets of humanity and make them less than adults
and as children who could be treated as a lesser bread, Occidentalism diminishes
an entire society, civilization to mass of soulless, money-grubbing, ruthless,
faithless unfeeling parasites. Examples of Occidentalism are: the conviction by
many Japanese as a prologue to WWII, that was expressed in their criticism of
the modern or the west unhealthy specialization in knowledge that splintered the
wholeness of oriental spiritual culture. For instance Mr. Toumura Hideo, a film
citric in 1942 stated that "Science, Capitalism, individual freedoms and
democracy are the poisonous materialistic civilization built on Jewish financed
capitalist power". Recently, the common thinking among all occidentalists is
that the West meant colonialism. For radical Muslims with a politicized Islamic
ideology, America is the devil incarnate. Extreme nationalists in China, other
parts of non-Western world and in anti-capitalists in the West carry the same
perception. Anti-Americanism sometimes as a result of specific American
political-support at anti-communism, dictatorship, the state of Israel, or of
multinational corporations, or the IMF, or whatever goes under the rubric of
globalization, which is short word for imperialism.Historical examples of the
historical death cults were: the German Army, 1914, Battle of Langamark, were
145,000 Germans died, and their slogan was "Happiness lies only in sacrificial
death". In Japan as in Germany (p61): death cults thrived amid the highest
degree of technological, cultural and industrial sophistication. In p64, Palace
in Tokyo; One of its key passages, which every Japanese solider know by heart,
went "Do not be guiled by popular opinions, ...but singularly devote yourself to
your most important obligation of loyalty to the emperor and realize that
obligation is heavier than the mountains but death is lighter than a feather."
Similarly, The RSS-Hindu (1920), a Nazi style organization stated that "Each
cell feels its identity with the entire body and is ever ready to sacrifice
itself for the sake of the health and growth of the body, In fact, it is
self-immolation of millions of such cells that releases the energy for bodily
activity". I selected the following quotations that are some of many
well-thought points by the authors: "Religion is used everywhere, in India no
less than in Israel, the United States and Saudi Arabia, for reprehensible
political ends. But it does not have to be. It can be a force for the good". To
blame the barbarism of non-Western dictators or the suicidal savagery of
religious revolutions on American imperialism, global capitalism, or Israeli
expansionism is not only to miss the point, it is precisely an orintalist form
of condescension, as though only westerners are adult enough to be morally
responsible for what they do. "The idea that freelance terrorists would enter
paradise as martyrs by murdering unarmed civilians is a modern invention; one
that horrified Muslims is the past and still horrifies many Muslims today. Islam
is not a death cult. "The bottomline of this book,in my view, is that the story
of the book is neither Manichaeistic one [dark vs. light forces] nor a clash of
civilizations. On the contrary, it is a tale of cross-contamination and the
spread of bad ideas. I fully agree with the authors statement "This could happen
to us now, if we fall for the temptation to fight fire with fire. Islamism with
our own forms of intolerance."
Islam without Illusion Its Past, Its Present and its Future
Ed Hotaling
Syracuse University Press, NY
Pages 205
ISBN 0-8156-0766-0
Higher
Grounds Review: A must read for any one who needs to avoid stereotyping
Islam and Muslims.
Concise and well written, with a deep understanding and
strong background about many of the historical events and personalities in
the Muslim, Arab and Middle Eastern cultures.The author used many of the authentic resources and
translations for the Quran. The author has a good of understanding the
background that is familiar to Arabs and Muslims. His description of
Muhammad’s characters, family life, his wives, status of women in early
Islamic era is close to perfection. He provides a well-balanced description
of the prophet of Islam and demonstrates a great understanding of his nature
and he sides with Muhammad against today’s terrorists.
Selected Quotations-P51: the
parenthetical statement of the catholic Apostle’s creed including the parts
that are not consistent with Muslim belief in parenthesis is a good summary
of the overlaps between the two faiths. P87, 88: the author in an interesting
analysis states “as a civilian, in Mecca, he was a respected businessman,
beloved by his family and friends, a helpful personal counselor, a man
centuries ahead of his time on the rights of women, whom he liked, admired
and honored, a tolerant leader, who honored the other great faiths. In
Medina, he becomes a statesman and diplomat, an innovative general, a tough
Arab Chieftain who could have perhaps stopped the massacre of the Jewish men
after the Battle of the Confederates, but a diplomat and negotiator with
other Jewish communities. All things considered, if Muhammad were alive
today, he might well be an American.”
Ed’s connects many of the current events with their roots,
and goes through historical stops with great ease and communicates a
cohesive message about Bin Laden and his school of thought. He describes
many Muslim personalities, Islam, Christianity and Judaism, many historical
facts about the Crusades. Ed’s concluding chapter regarding the
responsibility of each of us today all the new changes that are going on in
the world is wise and timely. Very well analyzed was the part regarding “Why
they hate us?”
Under Grounds:
minor mistakes in Abu Jabl vs. Abu Jahl (correct). The focus on one hadith
(prophet’s saying) to explain all the difference in the approach of Bin
Laden and his perception regarding the dominance of Islam is an
oversimplification, and does not serve the purpose of explaining the
background of Bin Laden’s behavior. The author was not accurate in
generalizing the idea that all Muslims wanted to convert all non-Muslims.
Following Muhammad Rethinking Islam in the Contemporary World
(Islamic Civilization and Muslim Networks)
Carl W. Ernst
The University of North Carolina Press, Chapel Hill
Pages 244
ISBN 0-8078-2837-8
Higher Grounds Review: A must read for every Muslim, and a valuable source for any fair-minded
person.
Provides a highly intellectual analysis
of facts and a great scientific analysis to many of the problems that
plagues the perception of Islam and Muslims. Supported by a great list of
references. “Following Muhammad” does not focus on Muhammad’s biography, but
it is a path to explain many of the issues around the religion of Islam, its
followers’ history, practice and today’s myth. “Following Muhammad” is
designed to cut through the fog of suspicion and misinformation. It helps
the reader to reach an independent understanding of key themes and
historical settings affecting Muslims and non-Muslims around the world. The
book attempts to answer questions that may sound simple.
Professor Ernst provides a thought-provoking document that stems from a deep
understanding of many of the basic methods in analysis of biographical and
historical facts about a very high profile personality like the prophet of
Islam and a fair look at other religions. Professor Ernst is a great
authority on many of the religious and cultural issues that make the
connection to the contemporary issues seamless. He provides application of
facts to religions and compares perceptions based on the history and
practice of each religion. This book states the thesis that Muslims are
Human beings! meaning that they have history and that they live in multiple
social and historical situations defined by economic class, ethnicity/gender
and all the factors that ordinary human beings has to deal with.
What does it mean to be a Muslim today? Who has the
authority to define Islam? “Is the responsibility of those who consider
themselves Muslims”. “It is the responsibility of none Muslims to
acknowledge the legitimacy of that enterprise.”
Selected Quotations
Tolerance of other religions: P46: PreIslamic pegan
groups still exist in some Muslim countries. 3000 members of the Kalash
trace their descent form the soldiers of Alexander the great and practice
polytheism. Unlike Christian European, Muslim society has no equivalent to
the inquisition to implement a systematic policy of repression of religious
minorities. “Judeo-Christian” ignoring major theological disagreement as
well as history (holocaust).
Status of women- P42 women has
never been ciphers or non-entities in Islamic history. Aísha [one of
Muhammad’s wives] transmitted> 2000 hadith reports from the prophet and was
the principle leader of an unsuccessful revolt against Ali. Putting many of
stereotypes about Islam in cultural contest relevant to other beliefs and
practices.
French revolution gave birth to “Terrorism “Fanaticism”. American
Protestantism brought “Fundamentalism”.
Some shocks to non-Muslims
Islam is the largest Asian religion with the origins as Hebrew prophecy,
Greeck philopshy similar to the Western civilization. ....And to Muslims
“...To convince Americans that Muslims are human beings” the goal of a
workshop on images in USA 1992.
"Islamic religion is perhaps the one remaining subject about which educated
people are content to demonstrate outright prejudice and bias."
"All Muslims are violent. All Muslims women are oppressed."
It explains the role of modern Christianity (partially Protestant) in
shaping modern interpretation of Islam.
Aristotle considered women a natural slave. Exclusion of women from leading
positions in Christianity.
Q33:35 Gender equality. Q31:195.
Images of Islam: Islam has never meant one
thing.
Final quotation: Who has the authority to define Islam? It is the
responsibility of those who consider themselves Muslims. It is the
responsibility of non-Muslims to acknowledge the legitimacy of that
enterprise.“ Our Ground-Muzlim: means Darkened not Tyrant.
Zalim is an adjective, which means unjust or tyrant.
The Quran provides a look at the Social status of Muhammad Q4:80, Q
33:40-Described as the wax seal on a letter. Hadith: report news? Better
speech or talk
Prophet’s ethical and religious model of exemplary behavior "Suna". Mercy of
God out of recognition of human weakness made it impossible to overcome
ignorance and suffering without a divine knowledge-delivered through chosen
prophet's) who are genuine religious and moral leaders (Who is a prophet?).
P 101: it is assumed that religious tolerance is somewhat intrinsic to
Christianity (and by extension to Judaism) rather than being a result of
disgust with religious wars of European Catholics and Protestants.
P105 Quran as the word of God for Muslims is parallel to Jesus as the word
of God for Christians. If one extends the analogy into religious practice
the most important ritual for Christians is holy communions or Eucharist by
which the believer assimilates the body and blood of Jesus either really
(for Catholics) or symbolically for protestants. In similar why when Muslims
recite Quran, the word of God is expressed directly with divine power.
This book has been written in short to stimulate communication between
Muslims and non-Muslims in the world they have commonly inherited.
American Muslims
Bridging faith and Freedom
M.A. Muqtedar Khan
Amana publications, Md
Pages 194
ISBN 1-59008-012-2
Higher Grounds Review: An attempt to provide entry
information about many issues that impact American Muslims
The book is based on a series of essays that convey many
of the discussions among intellectual Muslims in the USA after 9/11. These
essays may enable the non-Muslims in the US to get a glimpse of some of the
arguments, discussion and logic of many of the Muslims in America. This book
provides their outlook on local and international issues. However, the text
needed to be presented in a friendlier format and language to the native
English-speaker. The author also presented may thoughts and ideas preceded by
verses translated from the Quran. The depth of many of the essays did not reach
the thought-provoking point, and in most parts was not supported by a
comprehensive research, which may have been consistent with the nature of such
collection of essays that are usually oriented to the newspaper reader. However,
it was more expected from a philosopher in this book format to be able to
provide more rigorous discussions and deeper attempt to connect the concepts to
the quranic texts.
The author describes many aspects of American Muslim political thinking with a
connection to the history, political science and geopolitics. However, his focus
is on the first generation of immigrants. It is useful to perceive the depth of
the impact of these factors on the daily life, the thought process and decision
making of the first generation of the immigrant Muslims and to some extent the
second generation. The American Muslims as a minority are much more influenced
by their cultural and country of origin background. The focus on international
issues like the status of Jerusalem, Hindus in India, Kashmir and Muslims in
different countries around the world (e.g., Pakistan, Bangladesh and Malaysia)
may not necessarily impact the thoughts of any lay American, however, American
Muslims, regardless of their background, are highly influenced by the World
geopolitics.
Some of the described political issues are local, for instance the divide
between the immigrant Muslims and the African American indigenous population,
and the stand against the Bush’s faith-based initiative. The author comes across
as an honest scholar in his criticism of the Bush’s Administration bigotry
against American Muslims and present controversial figures in the eyes of the US
administration (e.g., Hassan EL Banna and El Moudodi) as moderate mujadid
(renovator) Muslim scholars. The author describes the political organizations
for Muslims in the US and classifies those that are interested in studying
Muslims. The author neither addressed the demographics of Muslims in the US
(e.g., geographic distribution, age, occupations) nor the social problems,
habits, economic or diverse cultural backgrounds.
Some of the bright spots in the book are the focus on the great stand of the US
in support of the Muslims in Kosovo and the description of the Muslim model as
an ethnic and population minority in Malaysia.
Jews without Judaism Conversation with an Unconventional Rabbi
Rabbi Daniel Friedman
Prometheus Books, Amherst, NY
Pages 108
ISBN 1-57392-924-7
Higher Grounds Review:
Concise yet penetrtig
Concise and simple, yet penetrating enough to explain Humanistic Judaism.
Provides a helpful discussion of the historical roots of the change in Judaism
and the roles of Napoleon and of the establishment of the USA in changing the
historical status of Jewish people as a minority.
Most interesting is the role of anti-Semitism on the religion. The last 3 pages
are very useful about the understanding of the change in Jewish identity.
The book stands against the common wisdom of most of the Jewish writers of the
demise of the Jewish identity to assert that the current situation and the
future will only become better for the future of the Jews. Jews today are freer
than any other time in their history.
Selected Quotations:
“ Jews comprise over a third of the billionaires in this country; over a quarter
of the multi-millionaires, and between a third to half of the elite
professionals in law, in journalism, in medicine and in academia. Steven M Cohen
Many America’s elite universities, which at one time limited severely the number
of Jewish students, at the time of this writing, the presidents of Princeton,
Yale, Harvard, and Northwestern universities are Jews, Jews occupy
disproportionate number of seats in Congress (37) and on the Supreme Court (2).
The Federal Reserve Board’s chairman, one of the nation’s most powerful
positions, is a Jew, and he has served in this capacity for four consecutive
terms, under presidents of both parties. If there were yet doubt that the Jews
are “at home” in America, the nomination of Joseph Lieberman for the office
of vice-president of the United States puts that doubt to rest.
Think of the changes that occurred in the last 25 or 30 years. When I was
growing up, when I became a teacher at Harvard Law School, no matter how good a
student a Jew was, or how high he ranked in his class, he couldn’t get a job at
Wall Street law firm. I was turned down by 33 out of 33 Wall Street firms; only
one even gave me an interview.”--> Alan M. Dorshowitz
“The Not-So-Vanishing American Jews,” Humanistic Judaism (1998, p31).
The Place of Tolerance in
Islam Khaled Abou El Fadel
with others Beacon Press, Boston, 2002
Pages 117 ISBN 0-8070-0229-1
Higher Grounds Review An essay by a
Distinguished Fellow in Islamic Law at UCLA followed by multiple commentaries
from Islamic scholars from various backgrounds, then a final commentary from Mr.
Abou El Fadel. He explains that the reader’s interaction with the text
results in an outcome that is guided by the reader’s background. The puritan,
fundamental literal reading of the text (Quran or any religious scripture) is
not a reflection of the overall message of that book.
Selected Quotations: The
bottom-line messages come in the following P98 “The
ultimate issue for Muslims ought to be integrity of the Islamic tradition. In my
view, if the cost of any potential or territorial victory is the loss of Muslim
ethical identity then the price is too high. This is simply an affirmation of the
Quranic command to Muslims not to let the enmity or injustice of others become
an excuse for the commission of other injustice (Q: 5:8)”
The
other argument:
p67“Never in
history has violence been imitated by the oppressed. How could they be the
initiators, if they themselves are the result of violence?.. Violence is
initiated by those who oppress, who exploit, who fail to recognize others as
persons-not by those who are oppressed, exploited and unrecognized” Paulo
Freire, Pedagogy of the Oppressed, 1972
p45-46“why doesn’t anybody talk about a
crisis of tolerance in Judaism when dozens of the Palestinians have been killed
on a weekly basis for the last thirty-five years? Why is the media silent about
intolerant Hinduism that has relentlessly oppressed Kashmiri Muslims for the
last fifty-five years? Whey didn’t the analysis speculate about intolerance in
Christianity when 300,000 Muslims were butchered in Bosnia? And why not now, as
Muslims face the wrath of Russians in Chechnya? Why are the lectures on
tolerance directed at Islam alone? Simply because the victim of September 11 was
the United States”Abid Allah Jan
Jihad and the Conflict between Islam and Christianity The Shades of Swords
M.J. Akbar
Routledge, New York, NY Pages 272 ISBN 0-415-27470
Higher Grounds Review
A captivating journey through 1500 years,
which include a
literary concise vision for the historical role of jihad. I recommend it for a
screenplay. Defined the phases of Islamic civilization: rise, fall and
renewal. Describe the role of jihad in preserving Islamic civilization.
Under Grounds
The author did not address the Mahdi army in Sudan and
its struggle against the English colonization at the beginning of the 19th
century as part of the movements that used Jihad to resist occupation. Apart from a couple of
translation typos from Arabic “Sarat el mustaqin”, the book language and
translations are fine.
Selected Quotations:
"Hasan I Sabbah, the Old Man of the Mountains, or the
“assassin”, who used hashish to control his followers. Two assassins
entered the service of Marquis Conrad of Montferrat, King of Jerusalem in Tyer,
as Christian monks, and after securing his complete confidence, killed him on 28
April 1192. It was 11 September of its time. Assassins made two attempts on the
life of Saladin in 1174-5, 1176. However, the romance of the assassin withered when the Arab
establishment protected the victories of Saladin. Having found Saladin, Muslims
did not need terrorism, (p 195, 196)."
Facing Terror
The Government Response to Contemporary Extremists in America
Jim Rodgers & Tim Kullman
University Press of America, Lanham, MD
155 pages
ISBN 0-7618-2215-1
Higher Grounds Review
Written with a focus on domestic terrorism prior to
September 11. Serious concise report on the definitions, general
classification, main driving economic factors in the rise and fall of many of
the domestic terror groups, main common features of terrorist individuals and
organizations and the legislations that followed New York city, 1993 and
Oklahoma City, 1995 terrorist events. Recommended as a handbook for any
current course on understanding terrorism.
Under Grounds
Page 8 while authors list of many
“legitimate-examples of nation-state terrorism” including the US actions against
Native America tribes 1820-1890 and CIA-backed coups, among UK, France, Germany,
Austria in their colonial eras, and the old Soviet Union. Admits that state
terrorism has caused more loss of fail to address the current state of Israel
activities. They mention the Pharoa’s pursuit of the fleeing Israelites as an
example of historical state terrorism.
Dose not attempt to recognize the
difference in perception of terrorism vs. freedom fighting. Fails to address the
actions of the State of Israel under (state-terrorism) and incorrect
translation of Hizballah to "Islamic Holy War" instead of the Party of God
indicates a lack of expertise to address international terrorism.
Reference Aho, 1995 could not be found. Only Aho, 1990 and 1994.
Selected Quotations:
“ Indeed one could argue, that based on the historical record, that nation-state
terrorism has resulted in great loss of life and that it has been particularly
vicious in many fronts."
"P27: Britism Israelism emergence after
world war-The wiring of the Canadian (psychic) Richard Brothers, 1780s and
the works of Scot John Wilson (1940s) gave the background for this school. It
merged the religious story that “the ten so-called lost tribes of the ancient
Kingdom of Israel were carried into Assyrian captivity 721 B.C. as in II Kings
17. the tribes found their way to freedom helped by prophet Jeremiah, among
others made the journey to northern Europe and also the British Isles. The
tribes Ephraim and Manasseh, inheritors of God’s blessings through their father
Joseph of Egypt, represent Britain and the US, respectively”. The British-Israelism
is a no mainstream theology that wedded biblical prophecy to secular pseudo
history, “[it] reflected the 19th and 20th centuries
impulses that fueled British Imperialism and American nationalism. “ and went on
to associate God’s power and grace only with Anglo-Saxon people and God’s
punishment with people of color."
Sword of Islam
Muslim Extremism from the Arab Conquests to the Attack on America
John F. Murphy, Jr.
Pages 345 Prometheus Books, Amherst, NY
ISBN 1-59102-010-7
Higher Grounds Review
Poorly researched, poorly written, full of inconsistencies
and factual errors. Omissions and commissions are rampant.
This is a scary state of affairs. If this was the source for the government
evaluation of any political conditions, hopefully it was not the only source.
This indicates the government may be desperate in seeking information and
advise, hopefully there is more reliable sources available now.
It is important if you writing about a subject with many sources in another
language to seek help in review and translation from somebody who is
familiar with the culture and the language.
UnderGrounds
This is not a book that presents accurate historical information. It is biased, imbalanced and in many cases does not
present correct information. It seems that there are more than
one author even though it carries the name of one author. These authors contradict each other. There is
also a lot of repetition and cut
and paste. The excuse of poor translation and the use of a quotation from "Lawrence of
Arabia" is a poor excuse for weak methodology, and improper editing or revising
of texts. This excuse still does not explain incorrect dates, and geographical mix up.
Examples of help needed:
-Language
Say "Tanzim" not "Tamzin".
Do not add Al (The) to a noun (Fatah, Hizbollah, Mecca, Quarrish) it is like
saying The New York.
"Hawatmeh" and not "Hawatmen" (p167)
Mujahideen and not “Muhahideen al-Khalq" (p158)
say Intifada neither "Infitidas" of Yassir Arafat nor "intifida"
-Historical mistakes
Prophet Mohammed did not ascend to heavens on "Ashura" (the tenth day of the
first lunar month).
Ashura is not the occasion of death of Ali.
P 165 “before his tragic death in 2000, King Hussein of Jordan..” p198 In
Jordan, the death of King Hussein on February 7, 1999 brought crown prince...”
P199 “The 1948 united Nations decision which set up the state of Israel also
established the kingdom of Transjordan, now Jordan (?? Scare tactic using wrong
information)
P217 “Any chemist can cook anthrax”
Selected Quotation:
“While the war of religion tore apart west Europe, and the Christian European
which craze caused the deaths of unknown thousands, people of different creeds
lived and worked together. In a very real way, the Ottoman Empire represented a
version of tolerant society that the West would not recognize until the
Enlightenment of the 18th century and which today is endangered in the countries
of the Arab World.” (p 80)
“The Shade of Swords vs. Sword of Islam”
It is an interesting coincidence that two books with
the “Sword” in their title and almost the same hard cover picture of angry
demonstrating Muslims in primitive garb, in addition to attempting to
explain the history of jihad hit the library shelves almost around the
same time. However, an amazing divide is obvious between them. The Shade
of Swords by MJ Akbar is in a league of its own. It is concise captivating
and present a very penetrating vision of the historical journey of jihad
through 1500 years and its role in Islam. I recommend it for a screenplay.
On the other hand, the other book by John F Murphy Jr., the acclaimed
historian who has managed to confuse historical events and geographical facts
in addition to his dismal attempts to use one thread to connect Nazis in
South America with Bin Laden. Murphy can not get a handle on what was in
1948, a United Nation's declaration of the partition, Ashura which was
indicated at the time for accent of Mohammed to haven and Ali’s death up
to a conflicting dates for the death of king Hussein of Jordan. In
addition, the book
suffers from a marked lack of proper editing, incorrect (not due to translation)
of Arabic words, and a mix-up that makes the reader think that there was
more than one author, who did not use the same references (which by the
way are almost dependent on the "Philadelphia Enquirer"). The only bright
spot in Murphy’s 367 pages is the last 10 pages, which spell out a
futuristic flexible vision that is lacking throughout the whole book and
Appendix II (which is co-authored by R. Don Green).
It is the desire of this publisher to help, after
through review of the whole text, to correct the mistakes in translation
from the Arabic language. We believe that these mistakes are not harmless
and that authors needed to spend more time to secure more accurate
translation. For instance, Mujahidin is the pleural for Mujahid. And the
ending “din” does sound like faith or deen in Arabic, but does not
translate to Soldiers of Faith (p 360).
Islam explained
Taher Ben Jelloun
Translated by Franklin Philip
The New Press, New York, NY 2002
P 120ISBN 1-56584-781-4
Higher Grounds Review A short simplified book to explain Islamic
basic tenents, general history and culture. This book is a good
introduction about Islam to high school levels.
Under Grounds
Minor inaccuracies about meaning of the word
Islam as it is commonly perceived. "Ali" accompanying the prophet in Hijira and
the superficial stand on the issues of dress for Muslim girls in French schools.
"Haijab" and not "Haijah” another example of lack of reviewers that are familiar
with the language. A glimpse of apologetic attitude about women status,
polygamy, and a biased perception of the Muslim brotherhood, and siding with the
governmental figure Nasser.
