Islam and the West

by Seyyed Hossein Nasr Narrated by Seyyed Hossein Nasr

Overview

Islam and Christianity share both remarkable similarities and remarkable differences. In the grand scheme, both are relatively recent religions, with Christianity taking hold in Northern Europe at about the same time that Islam took hold in the Persian world (although Christianity appeared on the scene six centuries before Islam). Through the years, Islam and Christianity and the civilizations they created have influenced each other to greater and lesser extents in terms of arts, sciences, culture, and medicine. The Crusades produced the most violent confrontation of the two worlds, but it is also important to note the effect of Christian missionaries on Islam and that of Islamic science and literature on the West. In light of the threat of terrorism in the new world order of the twenty-first century, it is imperative that the West and the Islamic world improve their understanding of their respective cultures. This course is conceived to reveal the interaction of these two religions and civilizations throughout their histories, highlight their similarities and differences, and, finally, show that Muslims and Christians share much common ground, especially in terms of morality, life issues, and family.

Editorial Reviews

FEB/MAR 06 - AudioFile

Seyyed Hossein Nasr is a seminal figure in Islamic studies. Through relentless scholarship and deep knowledge of the subject, he and a few others wrenched the field of Orientalism from the pre-1970s' world of Christian bias to today's academic objectivity. Orientalism is now Islamic Studies, and nobody on the planet is better prepared to present a course such as this to Western ears. This is a presentation of ideas and the movements of civilizations, not an enumeration of battles and wars. Nasr speaks with flawless English; only the slightest of accents is evident. His is a friendly, direct voice--there is no stridency or anger here. Among other things, Nasr shows why Shia and Sunni Islam are not directly comparable to Catholic and Protestant Christianity. This is a gem. D.R.W. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2006, Portland, Maine

Product Details

BN ID:	2940171194864
Publisher:	Recorded Books, LLC
Publication date:	10/03/2008
Edition description:	Unabridged

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