Action!
Books, websites and organizations.
Books to read
The Koran Interpreted by AJ Arberry (Oxford University Press, 1964) is perhaps the best and the most poetic translation of the Qur’an. MM Picthall’s The Meaning of the Glorious Koran (available in various editions and from various publishers) is one of the most popular. Discovering the Qur’an by Neal Robinson (SCM Press, 1996) develops ‘a contemporary approach to a veiled text’. Avoid, at all cost, the Penguin translation by NJ Dawood which is considered by Muslims to be a highly misleading and hostile (mis)translation. Introducing Islam by Ziauddin Sardar and Zafar Abbas Malik (Icon Books, 2002) is an informative and entertaining illustrated guide to religion, culture and civilization of Islam. On Being a Muslim by Farid Esack (One World, 1999) explains the trials and tribulation of pursuing an Islamic path in today’s world.
Revival and Reform in Islam by Fazlur Rahman (One World, 2000) an influential scholar of the late twentieth century explores the internal struggle within Islam and suggests a way forward.
Women in the Qur’an by Amina Wadud (Oxford, 1999) presents a Muslim feminist reading of the Qur’an. Leila Ahmad’s
Women and Gender in Islam (Yale University Press, 1992) and Women and Islam by Fatima Mernissi (Blackwell, 1991) are highly regarded feminist interpretations. Anne Sofie Roald’s
Women in Islam (Routledge, 2001) explores the experiences of Western female converts to Islam.
Orientalism by Edward Said (Routledge, 1978) is the classic text on Western representation of Islam. A more up-to-date text, taking in films and television, is Ziauddin Sardar’s
Orientalism (Open University Press, 1999). Amin Maalouf’s
The Crusades Through Arab Eyes (Al-Saqi, 1984) provides eye-witness accounts from the Muslim side.
Websites to check out
http://www.islam-online.ne Masses of news, comment, basic information as well as its own cyber-counsellor. http://www.wluml.org Women’s human-rights issues intelligently explored on this Women Living Under Muslim Laws site.
http://www.islam21.org For lively discussion on democracy and human rights.
http://www.islamic-foundation.org.uk Good information, materials and books from this research foundation.
http://www.islam.ca A good over-all site for Muslims in Canada.
http://islamicity.com Popular among Muslims as it provides radio, cyber-tv and an active bazaar.
http://www.islamic-banking.com With its emphasis on research and policy issues is by far the best while
http://www.lariba.com is useful for day-to-day economic issues.
http://www.quaraan.com Has various translations of the Qur’an and other texts.
http://www.salaam.co.uk Carries monthly thematic briefings on important Muslim issues.
Contacts
AOTEAROA/NEW ZEALAND
International Muslim Association of New Zealand PO Box 3101, Wellington Tel: + 64 4 387 4226 E-mail: iman@paradise.net.nz
AUSTRALIA
The Australian Federation of Islamic Councils PO Box 1185, Waterloo DC NSW 2017 Tel: + 61 2 9319 6733 Fax: +61 2 9319 0159 E-mail: afichalal@bigpond.com
BRITAIN
Muslim Council of Britain PO Box 52 Wembley, Middlesex HA9 0XW Tel: +44 20 8903 9024 E-mail: admin@mcb.org.uk
The Islamic Foundation Markfield Conference Centre Ratby Lane, Markfield Leicester LE67 9SY Tel: +44 1530 244944 E-mail: info@Islamic-foundation.org.uk
CANADA
Canadian Islamic Congress Suite 424, 420 Erb St W Waterloo N2L 6K6 Tel: +1 519 746 1242 E-mail: cic@cicnow.com
Canadian Muslim Civil Liberties Association 885 Progress Ave. UPH 14 Toronto M1H 3G3 Tel: +1 416 289-3871 Fax: +1 416 289-0339.
IRELAND
The Islamic Foundation of Ireland 163 South Circular Road, Dublin 8 Tel: +353 4533242 E-mail: ifi@indigo.ie
US
Islamic Society of North America PO Box 38 Plainfields, IN 46168 Tel: +1 317 839 8157 E-mail: info@isna.org
American Muslim Council 1212 New York Avenue NW Suit 400 Washington DC 20005-6102 Tel: +1 202 789 2262 E-mail: amc.dc@ix.netcom.com
The Council on American-Islamic Relations 453 New Jersey Ave SE Washington DC 20003-4034 Tel: +1 202 488 8787 E-mail: webmaster@cair-net.org
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Voices from the margins:
Multimedia: video, podcasts, and more.
- Poetry Slam in Zimbabwe
- The House of Hunger poetry slam held in Zimbabwe in 2006, and organised by the Pamberi Trust, showcased young artists performing inspirational work on issues from corporate power to child soldiers. The video features four of the poets.
Published by Pambazuka News.
- Iranian women speak out
- 3 March 2007, London. Women's rights activists marched through the English capital last week to celebrate International Women's Day with a protest against the misogyny of the Islamic regime in Iran and the threat of invasion by the US. Hear the voices of Iranian feminists Azar and Leila Parnian and the sounds of the demonstration as it passed through the heart of the city. Click here to learn more about the campaign.
Produced by Heidi Bachram.
- Raised Voices audio:
- Benny from West Papua on Corporate Power
- Vinayan from India on agriculture
