Although there are over one billion Muslims in the world, and over 10 million in the West, most discussion of Islam is based on clichés or outright prejudice. This lively and compelling book sets out to bridge the gulfs of misunderstanding. Islam, argues Akbar Ahmed, does not mean the subordination of women, contempt for other religions, opposition to the modern world or 'barbaric punishments' for petty crime. But outsiders can understand the realities of Islamic tradition only by explaining its sources. _x000D__x000D_Islam Today starts with the life of the Prophet Muhammad and the Qur'an's fi