Table of Contents

Contents: Introduction: Appreciating Others' Traditions and Values; To Be A Muslim; The Implications of Islam for Civil Society and Democratisation; Postscript: Toward a Universal Ethic of Human Understanding; Afterwords : Islamic Societies and Prospects for Democratization; A Clash of Civilizations? or Normal Relations with Nations of the Islamic World?; Index.

Reviews

"...the prince's stated goal is to counter misconceptions about Islam based on the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks and other terrorist actions. 'It is the understanding of each other's similarities and, just as important, of each other's differences, that we need in order to move forward together,' he writes." -- Book News.
"Prince El Hassan could be described as the de facto ambassador at large for the Islamic world. As one of a handful of intellectuals amongst the current Muslim leadership he is able to match thought for thought with western protagonists. He is also a much respected figure in the international community for his indefatigable efforts to propagate peace and pluralism in an increasingly dangerous world. This book manifests both his intentions and his actions. The core chapter, 'To Be A Muslim', from which the book takes its title is written in a catechism-like format, which is not unfamiliar to Muslims. In attempting to answer forty-one questions, which are thought to be of interest to non-Muslims at large, he covers a wide range of issues from prayers to politics and veils to violence. His responses cover the middle ground of Islam and give the reader a solid start to his enquiries. His erudition extends from the Qur'an and hadith literature to the poetry of Ibn 'Arabi and Rumi." -- Contemporary Islamic Thought.

"...the prince's stated goal is to counter misconceptions about Islam based on the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks and other terrorist actions. 'It is the understanding of each other's similarities and, just as important, of each other's differences, that we need in order to move forward together,' he writes." -- Book News.
"Prince El Hassan could be described as the de facto ambassador at large for the Islamic world. As one of a handful of intellectuals amongst the current Muslim leadership he is able to match thought for thought with western protagonists. He is also a much respected figure in the international community for his indefatigable efforts to propagate peace and pluralism in an increasingly dangerous world. This book manifests both his intentions and his actions. The core chapter, 'To Be A Muslim', from which the book takes its title is written in a catechism-like format, which is not unfamiliar to Muslims. In attempting to answer forty-one questions, which are thought to be of interest to non-Muslims at large, he covers a wide range of issues from prayers to politics and veils to violence. His responses cover the middle ground of Islam and give the reader a solid start to his enquiries. His erudition extends from the Qur'an and hadith literature to the poetry of Ibn 'Arabi and Rumi." -- Contemporary Islamic Thought.