Muslim Reformers vs. Fundamentalists

The drastic increase of the immigration levels in Canada resulted in surge of the Muslim population. This trend put Islam in the spotlight of the political discourse. Unfortunately, since Islam is a polarizing issue, its coverage in the press and in books is often tainted by the ideology and personal biases of the authors. The polarities vary from overemphasizing its extremism to presenting it as a benign compassionate religious movement. What is often lost is the fact that Islam is a complete system that offers its own solutions to all philosophical, religious, judicial, social, and political problems of the society. And since the host society’s values often do not match Islam’s doctrine, once Islam is dominant, that society is changed, in most cases irreversibly. From this point of view, it is imperative to know how Muslim theologians and scholars see Canada’s future, especially since there are warring factions within Islam. Eric Brazau’s book fills this knowledge void. We can summarize it by using the metaphorical image on its cover. When you read it, you see the fight between the ideological factions within Islam in Canada. However, the author does not try to guide you and act as a referee. He simply provides you with a seat with an unobstructed view at the ring, from which you can watch the fight and make your own conclusions. In that sense, he trusts the judgement ability of the reader. And the fight tools are the opinions of Muslim clerics and preachers derived from books, lectures, and sermons in their authentic and uncensored form. The author has applied significant efforts to collect those opinions. Canadian society is changing rapidly, the time to brush off or ignore Islam has already passed. If a thinking person wants to know how his or her reality may change soon, this book is an invaluable source of essential information.

This was a great book about we think we know and don’t know about the Islamic faith, it’s Muslim believers, it’s relationship with the west and Christianity

This book is very good. I read it through in three sittings. I was unsettled because I was never sure of the author's perspective. I still do not know which way he leans. I did enjoy the book but I also did not enjoy the book. To understand what I mean by this, read the book. I ended up learning about Islam what I did not want to know.

The book takes readers inside the Islamic thoughts through sermons, lectures and writings of contemporary Muslim leaders, not in distant Islamic countries, but in the very heart of Western cities like Toronto, Canada. They may shock or alarm non Muslims as many openly advocate for Sharia law, Islamic legal code, to be implemented within modern democratic societies wherever Muslims may reside. This fundamentalist view seems to be the dominant force believed to be held by majority of Muslims world over. How can such fundamentalist view co-exist within Western liberal democracy where individual rights and freedom including freedom of religion, and equality of all under the law is guaranteed, one might ask? The author, Eric Brazau, attempts to address the question, in part, by presenting diametrically opposing Reformist views on Islam. Two prominent reformists are studied in some depth: Dr. Zuhdi Jasser, an American Muslim patriot of Syrian descent, ex US Navy lieutenant commander. Dr. Jasser comes from a family of classical Arabic scholars, and he sees no conflict between taking an oath to uphold the US Constitution and being a faithful Muslim. Irshad Manji, is a Canadian Muslim from a refugee family who escaped Idi Amin’s Uganda in the 70’s. She is a lesbian Muslim who is unapologetic when calling for Islamic revolution through moral courage and “ijtihad” – process of reasoning. While both Christianity and Islam when weaponized as political tools left their bloody trails in history conquering vast colonial territories, the period of Enlightenment that began in the 15th century liberated people by severing church from the state. Whether Islam will go through similar process remains an open question that few are willing to ask. The author paid a heavy personal price for publicly asking some of these uncomfortable questions as progressive West can tolerate only politically correct views in sensitive subjects. He became one of Canadian political prisoners to serve time for incorrect thoughts. Somewhat ironically, Mr. Brazau became a subject expert during his period of incarceration, and this book is partially the result. His personal journey and insights he gained also makes the book worth reading. Highly recommended.

The title and cover art piques one's curiosity, then the content helps the reader to learn that though there are many who take the teachings literally, there are also those who are striving to make Islam relevant to modern times, to find a way to have harmony not just within the Muslim community, but with all faiths, as well as the secular world.

This is an interesting book. It was not what I initially expected. The book is fast paced and very dense. It can serve as a good reference in the debate on this issue.

Good amount of information to draw your own conclusions. Even though the author does't come to a conclusion, the conclusion becomes obvious.