Developed in response to the events of September 11, this is a provocative collection of articles from fourteen prominent Muslim thinkers. They offer a timely re-assessment of Islam's relationship with the modern world, confronting the views of both fundamentalists and apologists, and tackling such topics as racism, justice, sexuality and gender. This book reveals the real challenges faced by Muslims of both sexes in contemporary society, seeing Islam as a tradition open to change and development.

- Includes articles by leading female Muslim scholars
- Challenges the view that Islam is incompatible with Western society
- Reassesses "what Islam really teaches" in the post-9/11 world

A probing, frank, and intellectually refreshing testament to the capacity of Islam for renewal, change, and growth, these articles from fifteen Muslim scholars and activists address the challenging and complex issues that confront Muslims today. Avoiding fundamentalist and apologetic approaches, the book concentrates on the key areas of debate in progressive Islamic thought: "Contemporary Islam," "Gender Justice," and "Pluralism."

Omid Safi is Assistant Professor of Philosophy and Religion at Colgate University in New York State. He is an expert on Islamic mysticism, in addition to being an active campaigner for human rights and social justice.