The 'West', Islam and Islamism: Is Ideological Islam Compatible With Liberal Democracy

The aim of this book is to encourage mutual understanding between the Islamic and Western worlds. The majority of Muslims are peaceable, law-abiding citizens. However, Muslim fundamentalists, described here as "Islamists", presents a challenge to the values of Western democracies. With many lapses, modern Western societies strive to uphold values such as tolerance, pluralism and individual freedom. Islamism is monolithic, intolerant of dissent and unsympathetic to individual liberty. "Islamic" societies and militant "Islamism" need to be distinguished since a hostile response to Islamist terrorism could quickly become hostility to all Muslims. It is the hope and intention of the authors that through this book non-Muslims may develop a better understanding of Islam and better relationships with moderate, peaceable Muslims. The fundamental conflict between modern Western societies and modern Islamism is documented here by discussing the writings of key Islamists, past and present, including Osama Bin Laden. The evidence raises many questions and challenges for both Muslims and non-Muslims.