Using Global Studies: Islam and the Muslim World
Selected World Wide Web Sites
U.S. Statistics and Map
Canada Statistics and Map
World Map Chapter 1: Momentous Events and Influential Muslims That Have Shaped Islamic CivilizationChapter 2: Understanding Islam, Muslims, Islamism, and Anti-Americanism
Country Reports
Afghanistan (Islamic State of Afghanistan)
Albania (Republic of Albania)
Algeria (Peoples’ Democratic Republic of Algeria)
Azerbaijan
Bahrain (State of Bahrain)
Bangladesh (People’s Republic of Bangladesh)
Benin (Republic of Benin)
Brunei (State of Brunei Darussalam)
Burkina Faso
Cameroon (Republic of Cameroon)
Chad (Republic of Chad)
Comoros (Union of Comoros)
Cote d'Ivore (Republic of Cote d’Ivore)
Djibouti (Republic of Djibouti)
Egypt (Arab Republic of Egypt)
Gabon (Gabonese Republic)
Gambia (Republic of the Gambia)
Guinea (Republic of Guinea)
Guinea-Bissau (Republic of Guinea-Bissau)
Guyana (Cooperative Republic of Guyana)
Indonesia (Republic of Indonesia)
Iran (Islamic Republic of Iran)
Iraq (Republic of Iraq)
Jordan (Hashimite Kingdom of Jordan)
Kazakhstan
Kuwait (State of Kuwait)
Kyrgyzstan (Kyrgyzstan)
Lebanon (Lebanese Republic)
Libya (Socialist People’s Libyan Arab Jamahiriya)
Malaysia
Maldives (Republic of Maldives)
Mali (Republic of Mali)
Mauritania (Islamic Republic of Mauritania)
Morocco (Kingdom of Morocco)
Mozambique (Republic of Mozambique)
Niger (Republic of Niger)
Nigeria (Federal Republic of Nigeria)
Oman (Sultanate of Oman)
Pakistan (Islamic Republic of Pakistan)
Palestine (State of Palestine)
Qatar (State of Qatar)
Saudi Arabia (Kingdom of Saudi Arabia)
Senegal (Republic of Senegal)
Sierra Leone (Republic of Sierra Leone)
Somalia
Sudan (Republic of Sudan)
Suriname (Republic of Suriname)
Syria (Syrian Arab Republic)
Tajikistan
Togo (Togolese Republic)
Turkey
Turkmenistan
Uganda (Republic of Uganda)
United Arab Emirates
Uzbekistan
Yemen (Republic of Yemen) Articles from the World Press1. The Holy Book, Linda Kulman, U.S. News & World Report, Collector's Edition, May 2005
Despite some similarities between the Jewish and Christian Bibles, the Qur’an is actually very different. The source, the timing, and the language of the Qur’an all have great significance to Muslims. Even when recounting similar religious events, the Qur’an has its own unique interpretation. 2. Journey of a Lifetime Linda L. Creighton, U.S. News & World Report, Colletor’s Edition, May 2005.
The hajj is the fifth pillar of the Islamic faith and enjoins every Muslim to make the pilgrimage to Makkah at least once in their lifetime. During the five days of hajj, Muslim activities center on such historically significant religious events like the Kaaba, the Zamzam well, the Plain of Arafat, and the Eid al-Adha. 3. Jesus in the Qur'an, Dr. Jamal Badawi, The Message International, December 2002/January 2003.
Jesus is revered in both Christianity and Islam. However, the Qur’an’s portrayal of Jesus’ life differs in some important respects from the Bible. 4. Islam's Medieval Outposts, Husain Haqqani, Foreign Policy, November/December 2002.
Madrasas (Islamic religious schools) have existed since the 11th century. However, many are concerned that now a significant number of these Islamic schools are misinforming the younger generation by teaching them “what to think,” rather than “how to think.” 5. Islam and the Middle Way: Extremism Is a Betrayal of Islam's Essence, States Imam Abduljalil Sajid, FOR A CHANGE, June/July 2004.
Imam Abduljalil Sajid sets the record straight on violence and the true message of peace according to Qur’an. 6. How Islam Won, and Lost, the Lead in Science, Dennis Overbye, The New York Times, October 30, 2001.
Science has always been central to the tenets of Islam. So it is no wonder Muslims made great contributions to early science, paving the way for Western scientists to transform their civilization. Dennis Overbye examines the reasons for the decline of Muslim science in the modern era following so many early successes. 7. How to Take Islam Back to Reason: Far From Being Anti-Science, as George Carey Suggests, the Koran Demands Scientific Study. Now Muslim Leaders Are Planning Its Revival and Hope to Restore a Golden Age, reports Ziauddin Sardar, New Statesman, April 5, 2004.
Although Islam and Muslim societies have sometimes been labeled “backwards,” historically they had strong ties to science. Arab as well as non-Arab countries (including Turkey, Malaysia, and Pakistan), are actively seeking to revitalize Islam’s rich scientific heritage. 8. Beyond the Headlines: Changing Perceptions of Islamic Movements, John Esposito, Harvard International Review, Summer 2003.
Diverse Islamic movements in many countries remain significant mainstream political forces. However, headlines continue to focus on violence by Muslims, while the Christian Right coupled with neo-conservatives have categorized all Muslims as a single group, tainting the view of the American public as it relates to Muslims and Islamic movements. 9. A Debate on Cultural Conflicts: The Coming Clash of Civilizations--Or, the West against the Rest, Samuel Huntington, The New York Times, June 6, 1993.
Harvard Professor Samuel Huntington argues in a now famous article, that we have entered a new political era where the fundamental conflict will be neither ideological nor economic, but cultural/civilizational. 10. Global Debate on a Controversial Thesis: A Clash between Civilizations--or within Them?, Josef Joffe, World Press Review, February 1994.
Josef Joffe World Press Review, February 1994. Josef Joffe, a foreign affairs specialist, argues that aside from cultural diversity, three important sources of global conflict remain; the prevalence of military regimes, extreme poverty, and global migrations. 11. The Clash of Ignorance, Edward W. Said, The Nation, October 22, 2001.
Edward Said responds to Samuel Huntington’s “The Clash of Civilizations?” and delivers a powerful argument against Orientalists who claim that they can explain “Islam” through simple generalizations. He urges examining a multiplicity of “Islams,” with their many diverse features, in order to understand Muslims. 12. Enemies Within, Enemies Without, The Economist, September 22, 2001.
Islam is one of the world’s great religions, but for most of its 1,400 years Islam has been a varied and fractious faith. The numerous interpretations of jihad and its religious duty account for these major divisions. This article investigates the important differences between an internal, nonviolent, spiritual jihad and a military jihad. 13. Ghosts of Our Past, Karen Armstrong, AARP Modern Maturity, January/February 2002.
We cannot fully understand the war on terrorism and the present crisis without taking into account the painful process of modernization and the effects of the “Great Western Transformation” as they relate to the Muslim world. 14. Lifting the Veil: Understanding the Roots of Islamic Militancy, Henry Munson, Harvard International Review, Winter 2004.
Public opinion polls in the Arab world recently suggested Muslim extremists’ hostility towards the United States has less to do with cultural or religious difference than with U.S. policies in the Arab world. The U.S. War on Terrorism, invasion of Iraq, and support for Israel have increased hostility towards the United States in the Middle East.
