Table of Contents

Preface Introduction: Laicite and the Identity of France 1. French Laicite and Islam: Which Is the Exception? 2. Islam and Secularization 3. The Crisis of the Secular State and the New Forms of Religiosity 4. De Facto Secularization Notes Index

Promotional Information

" Secularism Confronts Islam is an extraordinary book. Important reading for all of those interested in the intersections of religion and politics." -- Amir Hussain, author of Oil and Water: Two Faiths, One God

About the Author

Olivier Roy is a professor at l'Ecole des hautes etudes en sciences sociales in Paris and a research director at the Centre national de la recherche scientifique. A world authority on Islam and politics, Roy's books are The Failure of Political Islam, The New Central Asia: The Creation of Nations, Globalized Islam: The Search for a New Ummah, and, with Mariam Abou Zahab, Islamist Networks: The Afghan-Pakistan Connection.

Reviews

"A work of sustained deconstruction, [Roy] takes apart the myths, cliches and prejudices which characterise the current conversation about Islam." -- The Economist "[A] brilliant little book." -- Philip H. Gordon, Foreign Affairs "A remarkable book: articulate, original, lucid, without a paragraph that fails to contain an interesting thought." -- Claire Belinski, New York Sun "[A] valuable little monograph." -- Martin Levin, Globe & Mail "Roy provides a useful corrective to the interpretation of Islamism." -- John Gray, Harper's "This superb book is a welcome contribution to political science, sociology, religious studies--and statecraft... Essential." -- Choice "[A] cogent work." -- Middle East Journal