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Holy WarriorsA fresh look at the face of extreme IslamIslam INXSHOLY WARRIORS This is a small book which manages to cover a lot of ground. And it covers the ground well. Most importantly the book is readable, understandable. The title, however, is misleading. This is not primarily a book about jihad, but very largely a basic introduction to the world of Islam. Chapter two, although titled Extreme Islam, is actually a helpful explanation of the term 'fundamentalism', firstly in Christianity and then in Islam, a brief look at jihad, and then a survey of the activities of the Muslim Brotherhood. Chapter four examines the place of women in Islam, with a provocative look at Muslim feminism (pages 65-71). There is also, here, at least a hint of the problem faced by strict interpreters of Islam. On the one hand they are faced by an admitted Western promiscuity, which has infiltrated much of the world, and which leaves women in fear of molestation and rape, on the other hand the denial to women of freedom of movement, education and employment. Chapter six, 'Avenues for a Christian Response' provides the reader with a good negative beginning (how not to do it): a consideration of militant Christianity as expressed in the Crusades, followed by a helpful look at Wycliffe's thoughts on the Church and violence. Most readers will find the chapter devoted to the Taliban of great interest. The movement is chosen as an example of extremism in Islam, and, of course, so it was. (The past tense here is significant.) The movement's origins in the student world of the training schools of Pakistan, the madrassahs, is described, and the pathway by which the Taliban moved from being a reform movement within Afghanistan to a movement more concerned with self-preservation and the destruction of ethnic minorities is persuasively set out. Inevitably the chapter includes a brief discussion of the Al-Qa'ida network and the role of Osama bin Laden in it. This highlights the problem faced by anyone writing on Islam at the present time: events move very quickly, and what is front page news today is on the cutting room floor tomorrow: the Taliban (given 12 pages) seems to be a spent force, but Al-Qa'ida (given one page) seems to be a continuing worldwide terrorist movement. Unfortunately the violent side is a real aspect of Islam and Christians should learn about it - and learn from it. Peter Cotterell, © Evangelicals Now - April 2003 |