Looking for a good primer on Islam, emphasis on the distinctions and history between Sunni and Shia branches
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posted by Patbon
on Oct 24, 2012 -
3 answers
Recommendations for nonfiction books on women in Islamic cultures. Bonus points for books that touch on queer, feminist, or disability studies themes.
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posted by Lieber Frau
on Feb 27, 2012 -
25 answers
I need help finding resources on moderate or liberal Islam. This is for a new fiction project and I want to be sure to be as respectful as possible.
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posted by Blisterlips
on Jan 27, 2012 -
6 answers
Philanthropy: Is anyone aware of a non-profit organization that specifically focuses on U.S evangelical or fundamentalist-christian education or extremist Islam education (even better, grade school focused) its mission recognizing that the Christianity or Islam, in its perverted form(s), e.g., creationism, intolerance, senseless violence etc, is logically, from an educated standpoint, harmful to society. E.g., A reputable NP organization in whatever form committed to advocate against fundamentalist schools that teach silliness and harm children, likely an idea tank or direct advocacy program.
posted by gagglezoomer
on Dec 17, 2011 -
6 answers
My very religious parents have invited me back into their home for the first time since I declared my agnosticism. I don't want to go. Am I making a mistake?
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posted by guessthis
on Oct 12, 2011 -
47 answers
My younger brother is doing a Peace Corp stint in Senegal. His host family (with whom he's staying while he learns the language) has taken to calling him by the name of their son of the same age.
While I'm sure this is a gesture of welcoming, I find it very odd. Is this customary? What's the convention and where does it come from.
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posted by es_de_bah
on Oct 1, 2011 -
8 answers
Can anyone recommend a Muslim community in Seattle that could help me (a non-Muslim) understand and participate in Ramadan?
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posted by Surfurrus
on Jul 30, 2011 -
6 answers
What politically neutral book(s) should I read on multiculturalism and Islam, immigration/integration politics and/or ethnic/religious tensions in Europe?
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posted by goodnewsfortheinsane
on Jul 25, 2011 -
11 answers
My father unexpectedly passed away last weekend from a heart attack. I am not religious. Part of my family, and most of our community of friends & extended family, are. Help me navigate the religious talk without either going on the defensive, or being complacent.
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posted by raztaj
on Jul 20, 2011 -
8 answers
A fundy Muslim father (and his extended family) with strong religious & cultural beliefs vs. his adult daughter's facebook account. How do I reconcile this?
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posted by overyourhead
on Nov 22, 2010 -
96 answers
Looking for a magazine-style article where the author recounts how his middle eastern family changed over the course of a generation from modern secularism to religious/political conservativism
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posted by dephlogisticated
on May 28, 2010 -
5 answers
Slumdog Millionaire: Late to the party, I watched this movie for the first time (and second time, too) this past week.
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posted by dancestoblue
on May 9, 2010 -
15 answers
What's going on grammatically in the opening verse of the Quran, which uses a sound masculine plural for the word "worlds"?
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posted by Biru
on Apr 9, 2010 -
10 answers
Do you know any good blogs written by Muslims, especially devout Muslims, about Islam? It's quite a slog trying to find readable ones!
posted by flibbertigibbet
on Mar 25, 2010 -
11 answers
What's the best book for obtaining an overview of Islam (and its attitudes towards 'Western' culture)?
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posted by edbyford
on Dec 10, 2009 -
8 answers
What's an interesting aspect of Iranian society/ Shi'i Islam that would lend itself well to a 10 page expository essay? Nothing too controversial - my professor is Iranian. Just something interesting to write/ learn about.
It has to be pretty specific. Thanks for suggestions!
posted by howgenerica
on Dec 9, 2009 -
13 answers
I am looking for some truth about honor killings...and some insight or clarification rather on Obama's agenda concerning Islam.
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posted by madmamasmith
on Jun 11, 2009 -
24 answers
I'm trying to find a book about Islam and intellectualism. I can remember the cover, and the content - but not the title or the author. Gah!
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posted by divabat
on Apr 26, 2009 -
11 answers
I've recently started learning more about Islam, and it intrigues me. But I had a conversation today with my muslim boyfriend in which he was adamant that he can't be muslim and believe in evolution. I'm okay with agreeing to disagree, but it's got me thinking. I've known many muslims who are scientists, and who would take no issue with evolutionary biology - how do they reconcile the two?
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posted by scrute
on Jan 13, 2009 -
17 answers
After living most of my life in a secular bubble, I've been asked to fill in as a producer for a religion-focused public radio show.
Religious folk: please help me to do the best job I possibly can. What's going on in your religion or faith community right now? And what should I, as a secular humanist journalist, know in order to broadcast respectfully about your faith?
(anonymous because my question relates to my job and employer, which could be identified from my posting history)
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posted by anonymous
on Sep 12, 2008 -
27 answers
RamadanFilter: I'm fasting and I need to know what to eat so I'm not ravenous and faint by the sunset.
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posted by reenum
on Sep 8, 2008 -
12 answers
Single Muslim Father. First Ramadan without wife to help make food in the morning or with 'fun' ideas for the kidlets. Help!
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posted by burhan
on Aug 28, 2008 -
12 answers
Recently, I left a job. One of the responses I got to my "goodbye" email was a beautiful and touching message I received from one long-time colleague, an American-born Muslim. In his email, he said "May Allah (swt) bless you and your family. I will keep you guys in my prayers."
In this context, what does the (swt) stand for? And, what would be a culturally-appropriate response?
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posted by deadmessenger
on Jul 18, 2008 -
10 answers
IslamFilter: I'm looking for examples of regional cultures/ethnic groups within the present-day Ummah that were bypassed by the expansion of Islam. For example, most of the people of the mountainous and hard to access Nuristan province of Afghanistan only converted to Islam ca. 1890. Prior to that it was known to everyone outside Nuristan as "Kaffirstan" (land of the unbelievers/infidels).
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posted by thewalrus
on May 26, 2008 -
11 answers
As a student of international relations, I'm trying to acquire a broad understanding of Islam and Middle-Eastern culture. I'm looking for a few books to read in my spare time that touch on these subjects.
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posted by aheckler
on Apr 2, 2008 -
14 answers
The Rowan Williams fiasco brought to mind a book that I read within the last year, but I cannot retrieve it now. In it, a Republican presidential candidate surprises everyone by calling for the adoption of sharia law in the United States. Can anyone help to identify it?
posted by yclipse
on Feb 19, 2008 -
1 answer
How would a typical Iraqi's activities on Friday differ from their activities on other days of the week? I understand that mosque attendance will be higher on Fridays, but would trips to markets, restaurants, or other places be more or less common on Friday? Are there major differences between Sunnis and Shiites in this regard?
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posted by thrako
on Jan 31, 2008 -
7 answers
Can you refer me to sophisticated discussions of violence that is driven by hybrid forms of capitalism and religion?
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posted by anonymous
on Nov 16, 2007 -
2 answers
