Reason, Freedom, and Democracy in Islam

by Mahmoud Sadri and Ahmad Sadri

In recent years 'Abdolkarim Soroush has emerged as one of the leading revisionist thinkers of the Moslem world. Supporters and critics alike have called him the Martin Luther of Islam. This book features eleven of Soroush's essays translated into English for the first time, a new critical introduction by the editors, and an original interview that reveals the intellectual biography of Soroush. The essays set forth his views on such matters as the necessity of freedom of belief and the compatibility of Islam and democracy. Throughout, Soroush emphasizes the rights of individuals in their relationship with both government and God. The beliefs and will of the majority, he says, define the ideal Islamic state--it cannot be imposed. Offering a timely corrective to the common view of Islam as monolithically reactionary, this important book will be of great interest to students and scholars of the Middle East and Islam and politics both here and aborad.

About the Author:

ABDOLKARIN SOUOUSH is Director of the Research Institute for Human Sciences in Tehran, Iran.MAHMOUD SADRI is Associate Professor of Sociology at Texas Women's University.AHMAD SADRI is Associate Professor of Sociology at Lake Forest College.