Reviews

"This important book makes available for the first time in English a selection of writings from Muslim thinkers engaged with the issues of global modernity. Most Euro-Americans have generally had to be content with the skewed stereotypes and soundbites provided by the media, which portray all Muslims as anti-Western fanatics. Thoughtful readers here have access to the alternative voices of 20th-century Muslim intellectual life. The breadth and sophistication of
this collection make it the indispensable sourcebook for anyone concerned with modern Islamic reflections on democracy, politics, and religion."--Carl W. Ernst, University of North Carolina
"This book provides a valuable introduction to many significant Muslim thinkers whose importance is ignored by headline hunters who miss the major historical trends. It must become the standard sourcebook for anyone seriously interested in modern and contemporary Muslim thought."--John Voll, Georgetown University
"Charles Kurzman's Liberal Islam, an anthology of 32 20th century Muslim voices hailing from a wide variety of geographical regions, serves as a very fine resource....Kurzman's selection of different 'liberal' voices is balanced; the thematic choices touch on many of the very significant areas of contestation, including political governance, gender issues, and freedom of thought....provide[s] a wealth of material to counteract one-sided, Orientalist
misapprehensions about a monolithic Islam."--Religious Studies News
"The task of the editor is to give a sense of the range of modernist and pluralist thought and to provide a reflective, provocative framework. This Charles Kurzman has admirably done."--Journal of Palestine Studies
"Gathers more than 80 discussions of theocracy, democracy, the rights of women and non-Muslims, progress and freedom of thought."--Fort Worth Star-Telegram
"This important book makes available for the first time in English a selection of writings from Muslim thinkers engaged with the issues of global modernity. Most Euro-Americans have generally had to be content with the skewed stereotypes and soundbites provided by the media, which portray all Muslims as anti-Western fanatics. Thoughtful readers here have access to the alternative voices of 20th-century Muslim intellectual life. The breadth and sophistication of
this collection make it the indispensable sourcebook for anyone concerned with modern Islamic reflections on democracy, politics, and religion."--Carl W. Ernst, University of North Carolina
"This book provides a valuable introduction to many significant Muslim thinkers whose importance is ignored by headline hunters who miss the major historical trends. It must become the standard sourcebook for anyone seriously interested in modern and contemporary Muslim thought."--John Voll, Georgetown University