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Loading... Desperately Seeking Paradise: Journeys of a Sceptical Muslimby Ziauddin Sardar
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Sign up for LibraryThing to find out whether you'll like this book. No current Talk conversations about this book. This book was recommended to me about 5 years ago, I bought it but never got around to reading it. That was a mistake. I reviewed a book on chaos theory earlier in the year and discovered that its author was the same. Sardar is a scientist and deep intellectual. Moreover, he is a learner and a seeker, and so I felt an instant connection to him. Sardar has traveled the world and seen all sides of the umma, and desperately wishes to save it from itself. The book chronicles years in England spent learning from Muslim scholars, years spent in Saudi Arabia bemoaning the Kingdom's destruction of history and ruining the hajj by clogging it with modern pollution, and years spent watching the Muslim world turn more and more insular and backward. Sardar's circle of intellectual scholars write articles and advise governments to seemingly no avail. He was at a meeting in Pakistan when Osama bin Laden and others in the mujahideen could not find a way to reconcile their differences, and the future was clear. They reached a ghastly depression when their fears were realized on 9/11 and afterward. I enjoyed Sardar's observations in his travels to places like Turkey, Syria, and Iran. I learned about how much hope the umma placed in the Iranian revolution, and how bad it was when those hopes were dashed by the violent tyranny that emerged. All along the way, Sardar explains ancient Muslim history and philosophy, illustrating the different schools of thought and what they mean for today. I learned a great deal about Islam that I never knew before. Sardar's problems with Muslim clerics today are very similar to the ones I have with evangelical pastors. If you're an American who thinks he knows a decent amount about Islam, or has read several books on the subject, think again and afresh and read this book. Sardar believes in a pluralist Islam. It's not clear to me why he rejects Christianity. It seems to me that what he's looking for is clearly found in Jesus and the teachings of the Bible. I'd love to have a conversation with him. This book was better than I could have imagined, and much different. Wish I had read it 5 years ago. 5 stars out of 5. Gives an account of a devoted Muslim who rejects western cultural imperialism without demonising us. And who questions and rejects the different cul-de-sacs that the Muslim community has gone down in that struggle. He wants an Islam that champions social justice and ethical practices for all and has a tolerance for its diversity.We follow his struggles over 30 years to find a spiritual path that allows for his goals. His failures reflect his bravery and courage. Have you questioned and championed similar values for your faith and political visions? He reminds me of the Christians associated with the sea of faith movement who attempt a similar transformation and meet similar reactions. See the below link for more information http://www.sofn.org.uk/ It also gives some insight of the variety and richness of the Muslim cultures. Oh and its funny! no reviews | add a review
At the time when the view of Islam is so often distorted and simplistic, Desperately Seeking Paradise - self-mocking, frank and passionate - is essential reading No library descriptions found. |
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Google Books — Loading... GenresMelvil Decimal System (DDC)297.092Religions Other Religions Islam, Babism, Bahai Faith Biography And History BiographyLC ClassificationRatingAverage:
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In an attempt to get our Ill Fated Muslim Book Club away from the saccharine "Zeitoun" narrative of Muslims, we chose Ziauddin Sardar's account of Muslims and the complexity he finds therein. Sardar tells it as he sees it, with a lot of wit and humor.
The American Muslims did not bother to read it. They wanted to talk about Ayn Rand. The displaced European Muslims loved the book and were dismayed by the Americans' reactions. I hate Ayn Rand.
My German husband decided to raise the stakes. He firmly believes in the philosophy of Yoda, "Do or Do Not". In our case, "Read or Read Not." He would introduce a book of such controversial nature that it would be the crucible to test this community of Muslims and discover their true intellectual boundaries. ( )