Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Insightful, well-researched, and disturbing, 26 Jun 2006
In "The two Faces of Islam", Stephen Schwartz locates the primary source of fanatically intolerant Islam in the world today, finding its origin in the Wahhabi denomination, which is the official religion of Saudi-Arabia. This version of Islam, Schwartz argues, was imposed on Arabia by naked force, and maintains its power by official suppression of all other Islamic traditions. Then, in recent decades, the Wahhabi supremacists have launched a massive campaign, backed by Saudi oil wealth, to export and impose their uniquely intolerant fundamentalism onto every Muslim community in the world. In contrast to this, Schwartz highlights resistance to the Wahhabis from other Muslims, be they devotees of Sufi mystics or ordinary believers in many nations, who stress compassion and forgiveness as primary values.
This excellent book has many conclusions, but perhaps this is a good one to mention: "Western reporting uniformly treats opponents of the Saudi regime as fanatical, anti-Western theological extremists bent on replacing the existing order with one inspired by bin Laden or Khomeini, and therefore inconcievably worse. Some prominent opposition elements are clearly aligned with extreme Wahhabism and even serve as apologists for bin Laden ... [But] In reality, while religious dissidence will doubtless be the source of future upheavals in all three peripheral provinces, none of these communities [the mainly Shia Eastern Province, the Hejaz western coastlands around Mecca and Medina, or the Najran and the Yemani borderlands to the south] are extremist in their outlook or their probable demands. All of them mainly seek to replace Wahhabi rigidity with the pluralism and spirituality of traditional Islam." (p.273)
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1.0 out of 5 stars
Personally biased propaganda, 13 Sep 2009
It's worth noting that the author is a Sufi and a proponent of "moderate Islam" who may well have an axe to grind with mainstream Islam. The reviewer who thinks Wahhabism is the official religion of Saudi Arabia really needs to get better sources, The man Wahhab was merely a back-to-the-source writer, he didn't create a new religion but highlighted the benefits of parts of Islam that had been left. I know Saudi's who hold him in high regard but they would not think of themselves as Wahhabis, just Muslims, he did not not call to something new but back to Islam, so that shouldn't be surprising. The author is a self styled moderate, a bit like western Buddhists think they can take from the religion what is easy and familiar while leaving the bulk of the religion and yet still call themselves "Buddhist". His argument with the Wahhabi idea stems from the point that where he is himself at is exactly the position that Wahhab argued against. It may well be this personal conflict that has led some reviewers to see his bias. Paul Marshall, in the Claremont Review of Books, described it as an "otherwise good book...marred by Schwartz's almost Manichean approach wherein all bad things in the Muslim world are ascribed to the work of the Wahhabis."
If you are looking for an introduction to Islam in general i would strongly advise against this biased political work. Try to find an author who is not from a sect (eg Shia, Sufi, Ibadi), also avoid one who claims to be "a moderate muslim" as this will be a confusing introduction.
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5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent, Fantastic and a Great Read, 2 Mar 2009
I am was quite worried when i ordered this book, i did not know what to expect, the most interesting was the author as he is not a Muslim. He is actually a Jew, which compelled me to order the book.
Surprising, on a all levels, to hear a author give a non biased view is very difficult, but i believe i found one. Two Faces Of Islam.
What i was really intrigued by was the comparison of the historic treatment of the Jews, i am educated in this matter, but i have never come across a non Muslim directing such an opinion.
Another great thing about the book has to be the in depth discussion of the extreme sects with in Islam, which in today's modern threat of terrorism must be identified.
Finally the book discusses many topics from history to theology.
I recommend any one to buy this intellectual book
BUY IT - GO ON
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by Reza Aslan
