Reads the Qur'an in the context in which the verses were revealed, and, in doing so, highlights the relevance of its teachings today
Ziauddin Sardar Books
October 31, 1951
Ziauddin Sardar is an prolific author whose work navigates the intersection of Islamic studies, science, and cultural relations. His writing probes the intricate dynamics between East and West, often focusing on the British Asian experience and how Islam shapes contemporary identity. Sardar is recognized for his skeptical yet insightful approach to religion and society, drawing from a rich intellectual tradition. His contributions encourage readers to contemplate cultural encounters and the possibilities for understanding in an increasingly interconnected world.
A groundbreaking, accessible and passionate journey to the spiritual home of Islam, from its religious roots and through the layers of its fascinating history to the place and symbol it is today
The explosion will not happen today. It is too soon ... or too late.First published in English in 1968, Frantz Fanon's seminal text was immediately acclaimed as a classic of black liberationalist writing. Fanon's descriptions of the feelings of inadequacy and dependence experienced by people of colour in a white world are as salient and as compelling as ever. Fanon identifies a devastating pathology at the heart of Western culture, a denial of difference, that persists to this day. His writings speak to all who continue the struggle for political and cultural liberation in our troubled times.
The book critically analyzes postmodernism through a non-Western lens, challenging its legitimacy and revealing its role in marginalizing non-Western realities. It systematically explores various domains, including philosophy, architecture, film, music, and new age religions, arguing that postmodernism undermines the aspirations of non-Western cultures rather than empowering them. Sardar's work invites readers to reconsider the impact of postmodern thought on global perspectives.
Islam Beyond the Violent Jihadis
- 192 pages
- 7 hours of reading
Writer and critic Ziauddin Sardar tells the stories of different interpretations of Islam and argues for a critical version of a religion that has a long and distinguished history.
Sardar travels to Asian communities throughout the UK to tell the history of Asians in Britain - from the arrival of the first Indian in 1614, to the young extremists in Walthamstow mosque in 2006. He interweaves throughout an illuminating account of his own life, describing his carefree childhood in Pakistan, his family's emigration to racist 1950s Britain, and his adulthood straddling two cultures. Along the way he asks: are arranged marriages a good thing? Does the term 'Asian' obscure more than it conveys? Do vindaloo and balti actually exist? And is multiculturalism an impossible dream?
What Do Muslims Believe?
- 100 pages
- 4 hours of reading
Exploring diverse beliefs from around the globe, this new series from Granta Books presents engaging and insightful short volumes. Each book aims to make complex ideas accessible, inviting readers to understand various worldviews in a lively manner.
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
A delightful memoir of a life lived in Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Britain, brimming with poignancy, poetry and absurdity.
American Dream. Global Nightmare
- 304 pages
- 11 hours of reading
This title brings into sharp focus the merger of celebrity, corporate power, government and empire which has become an essential part of America's belief in itself as a nation.
