What I Believe [Hardcover]

Tariq Ramadan is an influential Muslim thinker. He is at the forefront of Muslim thought when it comes to cultivating an indigenous Western Muslim identity. Mass Muslim immigration to Europe and America in the last 50-60 years has raised many questions about the compatibility of traditional Islamic values with modern, Western, post-Enlightenment ones. A constant barrage of headline-grabbing incidents - from 9/11 & 7/7 to the Danish carton controversy to mention a few - have further exacerbated the issue, making it a critical one in the minds of policy-makers: Muslims have become one of Europe's biggest "problems".

Tariq Ramadan believes that a mutual co-existence based on respect, harmony and a pursuit of shared values and common goals is the way forward. He calls upon Muslims to escape from the convenient get-out-clause of a "victim mentality" and actively participate in their "host" cultures. In fact, he says, many European societies are no longer "host" cultures, as - away from the media razzmatazz and headlines - an organic integration process has been taking place. As a result, many Western Muslims already are indigenised and comfortable with their Western and Muslim identities, with little or no tension between the two. He also calls upon Europeans / Americans to resist the temptation to demonize the "other" or fall prey to the hysteria which far-right inflammatory rhetoric can engender. Instead, he asks them to live up to the lofty ideals of pluralism and human empathy which form the bedrock of true democracy.

This is a concise and accessible summation of Ramadan's thought; for more detailed analyses - especially of how he seeks to re-examine Islam's core scriptural canon in light of a modern context - refer to his other works. This is a great snapshot though, and has been written in lucid prose, seeking to vindicate Ramadan from his detractors who often accuse him of "double-speak".

An important book for our times, containing some practical advice and guidance; if open, benign people on "both sides of the fence" take the message on board and seek to develop practical, workable solutions, I'm sure an amicable middle ground can be sustained which will be for the greater good of everybody.

I picked up this book because Tariq Ramadan is a Muslim I know well from the mass media. Sadly I have few Muslim friends. None of them would claim to be intellectuals. `What I Believe' promised access to the Muslim mindset. The author and I meet through the mega world of media. By engaging more with his thinking I hoped to better equip myself to counter Islamophobia within the midi and mini worlds of community and family. As a Christian leader I am also challenged by the surge of nominal Christians converting to be Muslims.

`What I Believe' impresses firstly as the work of a bridge builder feeling the pain of being walked over from both ends of the bridge. Banned from entering the US under the Bush administration and suspected by fundamentalist Muslims Ramadan is an exceptional figure. He impresses by the courage and range of his convictions as a Muslim scholar. It is this range that both excites and troubles those who hear him. He excites those who see the future of the world as dependent on brave connectors. He dismays those who suspect doublespeak in the subtlety of his communication.

This book has truth telling with wide implications. In a world where people have multiple identities why should people question the civic loyalty of Muslims? Conversely why do Western Muslims so often possess a ghetto mentality that stops them making a significant contribution to the society they inhabit? Ramadan invites a jihad for trust, more effort by all citizens towards self-respect and respect for others. His receipe for a healthy society is compelling in its call for more humility, respect and consistency.

He says `compelling a woman to wear a headscarf is against Islam, and compelling her to remove it is against human rights'. This thinking has been very unwelcome in France though accepted in most Western countries. Religious and secularist fundamentalists get short shrift in the book. Tariq Ramadan argues against Pope Benedict that Muslims do have a tradition of critical reasoning. This should lead them `from struggling adaptation reform to creative transformational reform'. He presents Shariah not as a closed system of Islamic laws but as the way to faithfulness in religious objectives that include building equality, respect and justice. The book includes an Appendix incorporating the author's `Manifesto for a New "We"' inviting a coming together of citizens across traditions to serve these and other universal objectives.

The truth telling that is missing is ultimate. Tariq Ramadan says little about God. `What I Believe' is an attempt to defend himself against secularists and Muslim literalists. It is powerful and helpful as such but it falls short on the vision thing that belief is mostly about. Visionary bridge builders succeed by affirming truths that are universally compelling to the detriment of lesser truths. Ramadan seems to reckon himself incompetent to develop things himself in this direction though he invites it. `What I Believe' is a call to critical self-belief by Muslims. It falls short of addressing the key distinctive of Islam which is belief in a God who has revealed himself to the world with implications for human solidarity.

`What I Believe' subscribes to the need for humility allied to confidence. It succeeds in calling religious and secular pundits to search their souls and recognise their frailties. It falls short in challenging both groups to see belief in God as a dynamic for hope that, allied with humility, can be transformative not just of individuals but of society itself.

Fr John Twisleton, Rector of St Giles, Horsted Keynes

This is not a book about religion: it is an explanation of the author's views (and responses to his many critics), as a Westerner who is also a practising Muslim. Others have portrayed it as a book for Muslims; I disagree - it is a book for all, believers (of any and all religions) and non-believers alike.

It is strong and powerful stuff. As my headmaster used to say, it is to be read carefully and then inwardly digested. Although less than 140 pages, you would be unwise to try to read it all at one go. To do otherwise will give you mental indigestion. The author focuses on religion, certainly, but also on philosophical, social, cultural, legal and political issues - at both international and national levels. Thus, he gives context to his thinking and his arguments.

I now look forward to reading his latest book "The Quest for Meaning".