We are currently reading Islam is a Foreign Country by Zareena Grewal. The book investigates the meaning of American citizenship and the place of Islam in a global age.This authoritative and insightful book was published in 2014 by the New York University Press.
“…explores some of the most pressing debates about and among American Muslims: What does is mean to be Muslim and American? Who has the authority to speak for Islam and to lead the stunningly diverse population of American Muslims? Do their ties to the larger Muslim world undermine their efforts to make Islam an American religion?…”
Dr. Grewal is a historical anthropologist and Assistant Professor of American Studies, Religious Studies and Ethnicity, Race and Migration at Yale University.
Meetings are held weekly on Thursday evenings at 8pm in Hyde Park. Contact us to join the discussion.
PREVIOUS READS
Animals in the Quran by Sarra Tlili, it is a timely, relevant and authoritative book based on her PhD thesis, published by Cambridge University Press in 2012.
Dr. Tlili will be joining us via Skype on Thursday March 3rd at 8pm to discuss the major themes of her book. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to learn from one of the leading scholars of our time.
“The Islamic tradition has always held animals in high esteem, deserving the same consideration as humans. The Quran opines that “there is not an animal in the earth nor a flying creature flying on two wings, but they are people like you.” This fascinating and highly original book examines the status and nature of animals as they are portrayed in the Quran and in adjacent exegetical works, in which animals are viewed as spiritual, moral, intelligent and accountable beings. In this way, the stud presents a challenge to the prevalent view of a man’s superiority over animals and suggests new ways of interpreting the Quran. By placing the discussion within the context of other religions and their treatment of animals, the book also makes a persuasive case for animal rights from an Islamic perspective.” – (Animals in the Quran)