World Religions - Islam

In a world increasingly connected through technology and communication, the influence of religion on society remains a powerful force, shaping values and guiding millions of lives. Islam, as one of the world’s major religions, profoundly impacts nearly two billion people across various cultures and regions. Far from being a single, uniform belief system, Islam is diverse, with rich traditions and practices that have developed over centuries. As the global community faces challenges like social inequality, injustice, and a need for greater cultural understanding, Islam provides enduring principles of peace, compassion, and justice. This episode examines the diverse role of Islam as a leading global religion, its historical contributions, and its ongoing significance in today’s world.
Readings:
Esposito, John L. What Everyone Needs to Know About Islam. New York: Oxford University Press, 2011.
Nasr, Seyyed Hossein. Islam: Religion, History, and Civilization. New York: HarperOne, 2003.
Ahmed, Leila. Women and Gender in Islam: Historical Roots of a Modern Debate. New Haven: Yale University Press, 1992.
Armstrong, Karen. Islam: A Short History. New York: Modern Library, 2000.
Lapidus, Ira M. A History of Islamic Societies. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2014.
Sardar, Ziauddin. Reading the Quran: The Contemporary Relevance of the Sacred Text of Islam. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2011.