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The Two Faces of Islam: Saudi Fundamentalism and Its Role in Terrorism Paperback – 28 Feb 2004

by Stephen Schwartz (Author)
3.8 out of 5 stars 5 customer reviews
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Product details

  • Paperback: 336 pages
  • Publisher: Anchor Books, Random House USA; Reprint edition (28 Feb. 2004)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1400030455
  • ISBN-13: 978-1400030453
  • Product Dimensions: 13.2 x 2 x 20.3 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 504,522 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Product Description

Review

"Schwartz provides much valuable information and insight. [His] case against Saudi Arabia and its foreign policy is irrefutable." -"The""Wall Street Journal
""A major and welcome contribution on a topic that will only become more relevant. It is must reading for anybody who wants to know what exactly we are facing in the war on terror." --"National Review
""A powerful indictment of Saudi-Wahhabi duplicity. . . . A valuable study of a religious culture that could well end up in open conflict with the West (if it's not already)." --"The Washington Post
""The urgency for Americans is to place the news in context, and toward that end there is no better guide than Stephen Schwartz. . . . No writer has done more to expose Wahhabism than Mr. Schwartz has." --"Dallas Morning News
"

From the Inside Flap

Since its formation in 1932, Saudi Arabia has been ruled by two interdependent families. The Al Sa'uds control politics and the descendants of Ibn Abd al-Wahhab impose Wahhabism--a violent, fanatical perversion of the pluralistic Islam practiced by most Muslims. Stephen Schwartz argues that Wahhabism, vigorously exported with the help of Saudi oil money, is what incites Palestinian suicide bombers, Osama bin Laden, and other Islamic terrorists throughout the world.
Schwartz reveals the hypocrisy of the Saudi regime, whose moderate facade conceals state-sponsored repression and terrorism. He also raises troubling questions about Wahhabi infiltration of America's Islamic community and about U.S. oil companies sanitizing Saudi Arabia's image for the West. This sharp analysis and eye-opening expose illuminates the background to the September 11th terrorist attacks and offers new approaches for U.S. policy toward its closest ally in the Middle East.

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3.0 out of 5 starsGood introduction to Islam
By Mr. P. G. Mccarthy on 17 Feb. 2009
Format: Paperback
This book serves as a good introduction to Islam, especially for those who seek a better understanding of the apparent tensions between political Islam and the West. Schwartz traces the development of Islam, always keeping in view the 'two faces' of Islam: the 'true' compassionate Islam based on the life and teachings of the Prophet and the inspiration of Ali, and the more ugly face to do with 'separation' characterised by Wahhabism. The book is quite accessible and is a worthy contribution to ongoing debates.

Its main flaw is that it is too 'tidy'. Schwartz keeps the two faces a little too distinct to make his agument work. But it often doesn't ring true. The true face has also had its blemishes throught history and are here passed over a little too quickly. Also, points made about the misuse by fundamentalists of certain verses didn't ring true. Schwartz is at pains to present a case for a compassionate Islam, so much so, any harshness or violence committed by mainstream Islam is immediately compared to the far worse excesses of Christians. This tactic jars a little and here the book loses its otherwise scholarly tone.
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5.0 out of 5 starsInsightful, well-researched, and disturbing
By Brian Griffith on 26 Jun. 2006
Format: Paperback
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)

--author of Correcting Jesus: 2000 Years of Changing the Story
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5.0 out of 5 starsBringing clarity to one of the modern World's biggest problems.
By Amazon Customer on 7 Feb. 2016
Format: Paperback Verified Purchase
An outstanding book, clear, to the point and pulls no punches. A must read book for anyone trying to understand Islam, where the violent fundamentalism we are presently witnessing comes from and how the politics and economy of the West have impacted on the Middle East.
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5.0 out of 5 starsExcellent, Fantastic and a Great Read
By I. Kalam on 2 Mar. 2009
Format: Paperback
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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1.0 out of 5 starsPersonally biased propaganda
By Mr BR on 13 Sept. 2009
Format: Paperback
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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