Title

The two faces of Islam : the house of Saʻud from tradition to terror

Description

In this informed, compelling exploration of Moslem beliefs and of the sectarian conflicts within the community, a Jewish historian paints a sympathetic portrait of mainstream Islam and exposes the centuries-old roots of Osama bin Laden's extremism.

Identifier

1056749

385506929

Creator

Schwartz, Stephen

Format

1st ed.

Source

Brian Lamb Booknotes Collection

Gift of Brian Lamb, 2011.

Catalog record

Language

eng

Date

2002

Program air date: February 2, 2003

Publisher

Doubleday

George Mason University. Libraries. Special Collections & Archives

Text

Transcription of Annotations
Notes on front endpapers include biographical information on the Prophet Muhammad, state his belief that conflicts between people may be settled by peaceful means as one of the principles of traditional Islam, and identify two faces of Islam: tolerance vs. extremism. Also noted are the characteristics of "ummah" - the community of believers: 1) hajj, 2) daily prayer, 3) charity, 4) fasting during Ramadan, 5) belief in one God. -- Notes on the half-title page provide biographical information on Muhammad Ibn Abd al-Wahhab who lived in the 18th century and demanded that all Muslims surrender to his vision of Islam. He saw himself as equal to Muhammad, attached great importance to ritual, had not reverence for the dead, and loathed music. It is noted that 12 of the 15 September 11 terrorists belonged to this Islamic group. -- Notes on endpapers identify the presence of Wahhabism in organizations in America, e.g. the Islamic-Saudi Academy in Washington, the involvement of Wahhabi Imams in the U.S. prison system, and in 80% of American mosques, with Friday sermons faxed from Saudi Arabia. It is noted that there is a battle between Wahhabis and Sufis over control of American Islam. Less than a week after September 11, 2001, Grover Norquist brought President Bush and Wahhabis together for an appearance at a mosque. Also included in the notes is a long list of Muslim organizations in America. -- These questions, statements and quotes are part of the notes: "The West's dependence on oil - what has been the impact?" - "Big issue: Who controls Mecca and Medina?" - "No society can long be managed as the dominion of an extremist cult." (p. 43) - "You compare Wahhabi lobby to communists in the 40's." - "One of your informants says Wahhabi Imams in American mosques are paid $2000 to $4000 a month by Gulf States." -- Annotations by Brian Lamb in the margins and underlining of pertinent phrases throughout the book.

Subject

"Islam--History--20th century."

"Islamic renewal--History--20th century."

"Islamic fundamentalism--History--20th century."

"Wahhābīyah--Saudi Arabia."

"Islam and state--Saudi Arabia."

"Islam and state--Islamic countries--20th century."

Relation

Original Booknotes interview

Rights

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