Fast Facts on Islam

Rating:
Summary: Rubbish
Review: All the reviewers here keep talking about scholarship, and unbiased information etc.

This book is far from any of these. It is shabby, inaccurate (and at many places incorrect) and gross misrepresentation.

If you want to read real books about Islam by people who are truly objective, then read those by John Esposito. I do not agree with Dr Espositos conclusions myself sometimes, but I respect his opinions because they are well researched and objective.

Rating:
Summary: Timely book on an vital subject
Review: Ankerberg and Weldon present vital information about Islam in easy-to-read, bite-sized chunks and cite multiple resources to give foundation for their statements.

While the media and even our President have been telling us that Islam is a "religion of peace" and that Muslims worship the same God that is worshipped by Jews and Christians, you will know after reading this book that such sentiments (while probably well-intentioned) are simply inaccurate.

The authors explain that the English translations of the Q'uran available in the west are "toned down" versions that exclude many of the verses that are popular among the Arabic-reading extremists... such as those verses that call for the beheading of all Jews and Christians or verses that instruct a man to beat his wife if he believes she might be disobedient in the near future.

The book outlines major tenets of the Muslim faith, its origins and how it is being directed today by various clerics and other influential Muslims in the Arab world.

This book was authored after the attacks on the World Trade Center for the purpose of informing readers what the driving force was behind those attacks. Information specifically concerning the attacks and people involved is also covered.

The appendices at the back of the book cite various books, magazines and web sites for additional information that is sound and not exaggerated.

The book is presented in a scholarly format and is not an emotional diatribe.

The book is less than 160 pages including the appendix, index and table of contents - so it's fairly brief and to the point. If you're interested in learning more about Islam and you want to get accurate information, not some biased emotional tome, I highly recommend this book.

Rating:
Summary: What you see is exactly what you get .... a fast education
Review: As I see my life change almost daily and I hear our politicos and free press tell me that Islam is a peacefull religion I am baffled to also see homicide bombing fanatics and supposed religious leaders spewing the the most hatefull venemous diatribes against Americans as a whole and Jews and Christians specifically.

Somebody certainly must be wrong, so I purchased this book to close some very large gaps in my religious education.

This certainly is an excellent piece of work and the authors present a framework that allows the reader to very quickly understand the beginnings of Islam, the writing and background of the Quran, and some of the most important belief structures of the followers of Islam.

The book weighs in at less that 150 pages so don't expect it to be a forum of intellectual study ... also, most importantly, don't expect judgmental comment or discussion of pros and cons of Islam, but rather a shockingly crystal clear cut 'talking points' summary with enough detail to make it understandable.

With Islam being one of the fastest growing religions worldwide the authors make it clear that while on one page of the Quran we hear of nothing but kindness and justice while you practically turn the page and see the thoughts and beliefs of Usama bin Laden staring right up at you.

If you ever hope to be able to understand what is going on books like these are critical because unlike Christians, who will try to convert you if you just stand still for more than a minute, your Moslem friends and Islam do not invite open discussion, thought or interpretation of the Quran .....

Rating:
Summary: Valuable, timely insight into the Islamic world.
Review: Many books of this nature have been birthed since the September 11 2001 terrorist atrocities in the US, as countless people have tried to come to terms with, or perhaps seeking an understanding of, a religion that could so mercilessly and indiscriminately slaughter so many innocent people at a given moment in time. The religion of course is Islam.

This is indeed one of the better such books published with that aim in mind. The work shows extensive research and knowledge and is articulate and authoritative, with a deep understanding and comprehension of Islamic politics, theology, beliefs and mind-set. This book is not a diatribe filled with hostility against Islam. Indeed there is no hostility here at all, just a measured approach to many critical issues of this time.

In light of recent Islamic terrorism, this book investigates what the writers describe as 'a festering hostility that had been growing around the World for more than a generation', together with the creation of a global network of Islamic terrorist organisations/cells supported by a variety of nation-states such as Saudi Arabia, Iran, Iraq and Syria.

Islam itself as a religion is examined from it's very foundations including the basic Moslem beliefs & what it teaches about the 'Moslem God' Allah plus the Jewish & Christian faiths.

The book examines the Islamic doctrine of Jihad and the connection between Islam and terrorism, studying in some depth what motivates the Islamic suicide terrorists into perpetrating such fundamentally evil terrorist atrocities with often unparalleled barbarism, including their irrational hatred for the State of Israel and the Jewish people.

The mind-set of such suicide terrorists is further investigated to uncover the heinous teachings that declare that the murdering of innocent civilians will guarantee such 'zealots' their residence in a so-called 'heavenly paradise' forever. The "martyr's death" for Islam being revealed as the ONLY Islamic guarantee available for 'salvation' in this life.

Other aspects of Islam are also studied including the place of women, their individual rights and how they are mostly classed as 'inferior' in status, deficient in intelligence, religion and legal testimony. The right for Moslem men to beat their wives is also studied together with other practices which many will find questionable.

The Islamic claim of 'tolerance' is also studied in view of the severe penalties declared for Moslems who venture to convert to other religions, and also the penalties facing Christians who dare to share their faith in many Moslem lands, both who are often under penalty of death for daring to walk these paths.

Towards the end of the book the writers devote sections to describing certain Islamic terrorist groups such as HAMAS, Hizballah, PLO and Al Qaeda. Reference is made as to how much of the Western world has turned a blind eye to modern day terrorism prior to recent events. Special mention being made of Yasser Arafat, the PLO leader, whose vast true history of terrorism and bloodshed has been ignored, with much of the West & the media now embracing him as some form of 'celebrity'.

This is indeed a worthwhile and timely addition to anyone's library.

Rating:
Summary: Out of context.
Review: These writers are quoting out of context. Readers should beware. Allow me to give an example from the bible of how things can be manipulated to fit a certain agenda.

Deuteronomy 13:13-16

13. Certain men, the children of Belial, are gone out from among you, and have withdrawn the inhabitants of their city, saying, Let us go and serve other gods, which ye have not known;

14. Then shalt thou enquire, and make search, and ask diligently: and, behold, if it be truth, and the thing certain, that such abomination is wrought among you;

15. Thou shalt surely smite the inhabitants of that city with the edge of the sword, destroying it utterly, and all that is therein, and the cattle thereof, with the edge of the sword.

16. And thou shalt gather all the spoil of it into the midst of the street thereof, and shalt burn with fire the city, and all the spoil thereof every whit, for the Lord thy God: and it shall be an heap for ever; it shall not be built again.