Table of Contents

Contents: List of contributors; Foreword by Richard Harries; Preface; Acknowledgements; Part One: Introduction, Brian Wicker; Competing perspectives on Jihad and 'martyrdom' in early Islamic sources, Asma Afsaruddin; Christian martyrdom: history and interpretation, Anthony Harvey, Richard Finn and Michael Smart; What is martyrdom?, Harfiyah Haleem. Part Two: Still a 'noble army' after 11 September 2001?, Brian Wicker; The veneration of martyrs: a Muslim-Christian dialogue, Harfiyah Haleem and Brian Wicker; The drama of martyrdom: Christian and Muslim approaches, Brian Wicker. Part Three: The concept of martyrdom: a Shia perspective, Ali Ezzati; Martyrdom and murder: aspects of suicidal terrorism, Brian Wicker, Peter Bishop and Maha Azzam. Appendices: Thomas Aquinas on martyrdom; Broadening the classical concept of martyrdom, Karl Rahmer; Non-violent options for conflict resolution in Islam, Harfiyah Haleem; Index.

About the Author

Brian Wicker is Chairman of the Council on Christian Approaches to Defence and Disarmament (CCADD), UK. Richard Harries, Brian Wicker, Asma Afsaruddin, Anthony Harvey, Richard Finn, Michael Smart, Harfiyah Haleem, Ali Ezzati, Peter Bishop, Maha Azzam. Karl Rahmer.

Reviews

’...much in this collection of studies is important...Afsaruddin’s study on jihad and martyrdom in early Islam, for instance, stands out for its keen and insightful analysis...For those interested in the question of martyrdom in the two principal monotheistic faiths, especially in the light of post-9/11 perspectives and concerns, this collection of essays...will be useful...Recommended.’ Choice 'This book tackles a timely, even urgent, subject... In such a disturbed situation, this book is essential, unpacking what each tradition says about martyrs... Anthony Harvey and his fellow contributors offer a comprehensive view of early Christian martyrdom... The Islamic view is similarly varied, and includes not only the Sunni understanding, but also Shia and Sufi ones. The Christian contributors are rigorous in taking a self-critical view of the Christian tradition. The Muslim ones are learned and eirenic...' Church Times ’This is an impressive and important volume of essays... the volume as a whole is a welcome and humane contribution to the literature on the subject... Witnesses to Faith? is a worthwhile volume, not least in its creative attempt to find common ground between two religious traditions which are too often presented as violently and inevitably clashing civilisations.’ The Way ’It is very helpful for other people to be able to share in the results of such sustained joint discussion of these themes by a group of Christians and Muslims.’ Journal of Contemporary Religion