The notion that Islam means peace has almost become a cliché in a world where Islam’s relationship with peace is emphasised in an attempt to reclaim it from any association with terrorism. Islam does mean peace. Not only does Islam mean peace, but it also has a strong affiliation with inner peace through the tranquillity...Read More

Every tribe in Iraq has (Sunnis ,Sheia , the Yazidis, Turkmen, Armen,…)in its ranks. Every town and city have a mix of communities. My experience of Iraq, and that of all friends and relatives, is that of an amazing mix of coexisting communities, despite successive divide-and-rule regimes. For many centuries Iraq has been able to...Read More

Meir Hatina, associate professor of Islamic and Middle Eastern studies anddirector of the Levtzion Center for Islamic studies at the Hebrew Universityof Jerusalem, explores the evolving perceptions of martyrdom in modern timesand their relevance on past legacies in both Sunni and Shi‘i milieus. He alsomakes comparative references to Judaism, Christianity, and other non-Islamiccultures. The book...Read More

In Chapter 1, “Canonical Prayer and Supplication, Development, andRules,” Katz traces the etymology of the term’s linguistic origin, historic significance,and pre-Islamic meaning. She quotes Q. 31:17 to show that it wasnot used exclusively in reference to monotheism or the Abrahamic faiths. Șalātis explained both in terms of the prayer’s religious content and physical postures.Its validity...Read More