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by Ali S. Asani (Author)
The story of Islam is not one story, but many stories involving peoples of different races, ethnicities, and cultures. Every religious tradition is marked by internal diversity, manifested through its various communities of interpretation. Islam likewise is multifaceted, as are Muslim life and faith. Living Islam invites readers to appreciate ways in which Muslims from diverse backgrounds and traditions interpret and experience their faith. Adopting a cultural studies approach, Ali Asani begins by posing questions such as 'Which Islam?' and 'Whose Islam?', and he considers different conceptions of being Muslim. He then illustrates multidimensional ways in which Muslims relate to the Prophet Muhammad, including as messenger, model, intercessor, and beloved. Drawing on Muslim devotional practices and exploring the Islamic 'artscape', he showcases how the beauty of the transcendent can be experienced through sonic, visual and poetic arts.
Author Biography
Ali Asani is Murray A. Albertson Professor of Middle Eastern Studies and Professor of Indo-Muslim and Islamic Religion and Cultures at Harvard University, US. At Harvard he has served as the Chair of the Department of Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations and Director of the Prince Alwaleed Islamic Studies Program. He is the author of Celebrating Muhammad (1995), The Harvard Collection of Ismaili Literatures in Indic Languages (1992) and Ecstasy and Enlightenment (2002).
