Autobiography of Malcolm X edited by Alex Haley (Penguin, 1970)
One of the most influential African-American leaders, Malcolm X, goes from the streets of Harlem, to the right hand of Elijah Muhammad and leader of the Nation of Islam. Shortly before his assassination, he travelled on a pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia and embraced orthodox Islam.
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The Battle for God: Fundamentalism in Judaism, Christianity and Islam by Karen Armstrong (HarperCollins, 2001)
Armstrong delves deeply into the often-violent histories of Judaism, Christianity and Islam, exploring the rise of fundamentalist enclaves in all three religions.
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Basic Dictionary of Islam by Ruqaiyyah Maqsood (Goodword Books, 1998)
An A to Z of Islamic terms and concepts found in the Qur'an, Sunnah, Islamic history and modern times.
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The Battle for God: Fundamentalism in Judaism, Christianity and Islam by Karen Armstrong (HarperCollins, 2001)
Well-respected theologian and author documents how fundamentalism has taken root and grown in many of the world's major religions.
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The Cambridge Illustrated History of the Islamic World edited by Francis Robinson (Cambridge University Press, 1996)
Addresses the misunderstanding in the West of Islam, revealing the complex and sometimes contrary nature of Muslim culture. Discusses issues such as the role of religious and political fundamentalism, commerce, Islamic art, the effects of immigration, and the roots of current crises in the Middle East.
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Even Angels Ask: A journey to Islam in America by Jeffery Lang (Amana Books, 1997)
Professor Lang explores the many questions that concern Western Muslims, both converts and immigrant children.
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Everything Understanding Islam Book: A complete and easy-to-read guide to Muslim beliefs, practices, traditions and culture by Christine Huda Dodge (Adams Media Corporation, 2003)
Offers an introduction to Islam, including discussion of the life of Muhammed, Muslim daily life, and the five pillars of practice.
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From Homebreakers to Jailbreakers: Southall Black Sisters edited by Rahila Gupta (Zed Books, 2003)
Tells the story of the Asian women's group who since 1979 have offered welfare advice and spearheaded many high-profile campaigns on domestic violence, abused women who kill, immigration rights, and the dangers posed to women by the rise of religious fundamentalism.
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The Future of Multi-Ethnic Britain: Parekh Report (Profile Books, 2000)
Covers all aspects of Britain's multi-ethnic future: religion, immigration, crime, educational policy, housing, racial violence, the arts, policing and prison policy. It also covers all minorities, including Irish, Asian, Jewish, Caribbean and African.
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In the Path of God: Islam and political power by Daniel Pipes (Transaction Publishers, 2002)
Presents an overview of the connection between Islam and political power through history.
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Islam by Caesar E Farah (Barron's, 2003)
Explains the Qur'an and the core of Islamic beliefs and obligations. Examines Islam as a world religious, cultural and political force, with information on today's militant sects and an analysis of the forces at work in a post-11 September world.
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Islamic Art by Barbara Brend (British Museum Press, 1991)
Surveys the magnificent achievement of Muslim artists and crafts workers over 1,200 years, from the 7th to the 19th century. Region by region, the author examines the character of Islamic art and its influence in the West, as well as modern developments.
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Islam: The natural way by Abdul Wahid Hamid (MELS, 1989)
This book provides a clear understanding of Islam as a way of life and the foundations upon which it is built.
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Islam: A short history by Karen Armstrong (Weidenfeld and Nicholson, 2001)
The author traces how Islam grew from Judaism and Christianity and demonstrates that, for much of its history, the religion has been a force for enlightenment that promoted liberties for women and allowed the arts and sciences to flourish.
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The Infidel Within: The history of Muslims in Britain, 1800 to the present by Humayun Ansari (C Hurst & Co, 2003)
A broad and integrated history of Muslims in the UK.
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Introduction to Shi'i Islam: The history and doctrines of Twelver Shi'ism by Moojan Momen (Yale University Press, 1985)
An excellent introduction to Shi'a Islam, dealing with its history and development, and the differences between Sunni and Shi'a traditions.
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Islam, the Middle East and the New Global Hegemony by Simon Murden (Lynne Rienner Publishers, 2002)
Focuses on the encounter between the Islamic vision of society, with its emphasis on community and social control, and the Western liberal vision of economic freedom and individual choice.
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Islam, the Straight Path by John L Esposito (Oxford University Press, 1997)
Introduces the faith, beliefs and practices of Islam throughout history. The author is an internationally renowned expert on Islam. This third edition has been updated with new material to reflect the diversity of Muslim cultures.
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Muhammad, Messenger of Allah: Ash-Shifa of Qadi'Iyad translated by Aisha Abdurrahman Bewley (Madinah P, 1992)
Perhaps the most frequently used and commented upon handbook in which the Prophet's life, his qualities and his miracles are described in detail.
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Muslims in Britain by Humayun Ansari (Minority Rights Group International, 2002)
Covers Muslims' access to education, employment and housing in Britain as well as discussing their diverse and changing identities, participation in politics and campaigns around education. Gives an outline of the conflicts of Shariah law and English law and looks at Islamophobia, particularly after 11 September.
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Muslim Marriage Guide by Ruqaiyyah Waris Maqsood (Amana Publications, 2000)
Offers candid advice on the emotional, spiritual, and sexual aspects of marital life.
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The Noble Quran: A new rendering of its meaning in English by Abdalhaqq Bewley and Aisha Bewley (Bookwork, 1999)
The standard English translation of the Qur'an.
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The Oxford History of Islam edited by John L Esposito (Oxford University Press, 2000)
From the pre-Islamic Arab world to the present, this book tells the story of Muhammed and his companions, the development of Islamic religion and culture and the empires that grew from it. It traces the growth of Muslim philosophy, science, and art, and Islam's influence on the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and the West.
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Portrait of Islam: A journey through the Muslim world by Robin Laurance (Thames and Hudson, 2002)
Beautiful, positive images are captured on a photographic journey through the heart of Islam. This work does much to dispel ignorance of the Muslim world, and focuses on its achievements, following ordinary men and women as they pursue their everyday existence.
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The Road to Mecca by Muhammed Asad (Muslim Academic Trust, 1999)
Autobiography of Leopold Weiss, a Polish Jew who became a newspaper reporter in the Middle East and subsequently embraced Islam.
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Teach Yourself Islam by Ruqaiyyah Waris Maqsood (Hodder Arnold Teach Yourself, 2003)
A comprehensive guide to the world's second largest faith, written by a practising Muslim, writer, and teacher. Covers the life of Mohammed, the Qur'an, Muslim worship and way of life, the history of Islam; Shi'ite Islam, Sufism and Islamic mysticism.
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Terrorism: Theirs and ours by Eqbal Ahmad and David Barsamian (Seven Stories Press, 2001)
Taking issue with America's contradictory policy towards foreign leaders over the years, the insights offered by this book explore the premise that the terrorist of yesterday is the hero of today – and vice versa.
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Understanding Islam by James A Beverley (Paternoster Press, 2002)
A thorough introduction to the culture, history, and practices of the world's second largest religion.
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Understanding My Muslim Neighbour: Questions and answers on Islam and its followers by Michael Nazir-Ali and Christopher Stone (Canterbury Press Norwich, 2002)
Michael Nazir-Ali draws on his experience of growing up in a Muslim country and his many years as a Christian minister in the West to answer commonly asked questions about Islam and its followers.
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Unveiling Islam: An insider's look at Muslim life and beliefs by Ergun Mehmet Caner and Emir Fethi Caner (Kregel Publications, 2004)
Outlines how, after 11 September, many in the West are trying to understand a religion that could take the lives of so many innocent people. The authors are both Sunni Muslims.
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Western Muslims and the Future of Islam by Tariq Ramadan (Oxford University Press Inc, USA, 2003)
The author claims that a silent revolution is sweeping Islamic communities, as Muslims actively seek ways to live in harmony with their faith within a Western context.
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Women in Islam: The Western experience by Anne-Sofie Roald (Routledge, 2001)
Investigates the debate in both the Muslim world and the West, on the position of women in Islam. The author illustrates how Islamic perceptions of women and gender relations change in Western Muslim communities, and are responsive to culture and context, rather than being rigid and inflexible.
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