''Islam and the Future of Tolerance: A Dialogue'' is a 2015 book collaboration between American author

Sam Harris Samuel Benjamin Harris (born April 9, 1967) is an American philosopher, neuroscientist, author, and podcast host. His work touches on a range of topics, including rationality, religion, ethics, free will, neuroscience, meditation, psychedelics ...

and British activist

Maajid Nawaz Maajid Usman Nawaz (; born 2 November 1977) is a British activist and former radio presenter. He was the founding chairman of Quilliam. Until January 2022, he was the host of an LBC radio show on Saturdays and Sundays. Born in Southend-on-Sea ...

. The book has been subsequently adapted into a documentary film of the same title.

The book is in dialogue format, and features an exchange between Harris, an

atheist Atheism, in the broadest sense, is an absence of belief in the existence of deities. Less broadly, atheism is a rejection of the belief that any deities exist. In an even narrower sense, atheism is specifically the position that there no ...

and a critic of religion, and Nawaz, an Islamist-turned-

liberal Liberal or liberalism may refer to: Politics * a supporter of liberalism ** Liberalism by country * an adherent of a Liberal Party * Liberalism (international relations) * Sexually liberal feminism * Social liberalism Arts, entertainment and m ...

activist. Harris argues that the doctrines of

Islam Islam (; ar, ۘالِإسلَام, , ) is an Abrahamic religions, Abrahamic Monotheism#Islam, monotheistic religion centred primarily around the Quran, a religious text considered by Muslims to be the direct word of God in Islam, God (or ...

are dangerous while Nawaz defends Islam by arguing that those dangerous doctrines have been circumvented by the tradition. Nawaz further argues that like any other religion, Islam is open to reform and will find its place in a

secular Secularity, also the secular or secularness (from Latin ''saeculum'', "worldly" or "of a generation"), is the state of being unrelated or neutral in regards to religion. Anything that does not have an explicit reference to religion, either negativ ...

world. The book is published with the explicit purpose of furthering difficult conversations about Islam without "devolving into

bigotry Discrimination is the act of making unjustified distinctions between people based on the groups, classes, or other categories to which they belong or are perceived to belong. People may be discriminated on the basis of race, gender, age, relig ...

or caricature". The book also explores the differences between the religion of Islam and the ideology of

Islamism Islamism (also often called political Islam or Islamic fundamentalism) is a political ideology which posits that modern states and regions should be reconstituted in constitutional, economic and judicial terms, in accordance with what is ...

Reception

The Economist ''The Economist'' is a British weekly newspaper printed in demitab format and published digitally. It focuses on current affairs, international business, politics, technology, and culture. Based in London, the newspaper is owned by The Econo ...

'', in its review, called it "a short but intensive dialogue" and noted that "at times, Mr Nawaz is disarmingly frank." It goes on to say that Nawaz acknowledges that reformist Muslims like himself are a minority, but he insists that

Islamists Islamism (also often called political Islam or Islamic fundamentalism) is a political ideology which posits that modern states and regions should be reconstituted in constitutional, economic and judicial terms, in accordance with what is c ...

are also a minority because the majority are conservative Muslims. After noting the percentages of political Islamists, liberals, and social conservatives in the Muslim community, and predicting the odds of success of the liberals depending on the support they get from the conservatives, ''The Economist'' declares the task a "tall order" and states "no wonder Mr. Harris is politely sceptical." ''

New Statesman The ''New Statesman'' is a British political and cultural magazine published in London. Founded as a weekly review of politics and literature on 12 April 1913, it was at first connected with Sidney and Beatrice Webb and other leading members ...

'' called it "something of a unicorn" and credited the book for discussing "Islamism and jihadism from a historical as well as a philosophical angle, with no trace of sentiment or dogma." Brian Stewart in the ''

National Review ''National Review'' is an American conservative editorial magazine, focusing on news and commentary pieces on political, social, and cultural affairs. The magazine was founded by the author William F. Buckley Jr. in 1955. Its editor-in-chief i ...

'' also rated it positively, declaring it "provocative and profane" and lauded the authors for "endeavoring to provide a spark". ''

Publishers Weekly ''Publishers Weekly'' (''PW'') is an American weekly trade news magazine targeted at publishers, librarians, booksellers, and literary agents. Published continuously since 1872, it has carried the tagline, "The International News Magazine of B ...

'' also gave it a positive review, noting that "Harris, maintaining his provocative persona, asks questions and tosses ultimatums in the direction of Nawaz, who deftly replies with well-reasoned and thoughtful responses that will inform and inspire." According to cognitive scientist

Steven Pinker Steven Arthur Pinker (born September 18, 1954) is a Canadian-American cognitive psychologist, psycholinguist, popular science author, and public intellectual. He is an advocate of evolutionary psychology and the computational theory of mind. P ...

, "This honest and intelligent dialogue is a superb exploration of the intellectual and moral issues involved." In the ''New York Journal of Books'',

Tara Sonenshine Tara D. Sonenshine (born 1959) was the Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs from 2012 to 2013. She is now a Distinguished Fellow at the George Washington University School of Media and Public Affairs. She was Senior Care ...

wrote, "The answer, they awaz and Harrisseem to suggest, may rest in the ancient art of conversation, which this book offers." She concluded that ''Islam and the Future of Tolerance'' "may not change hearts or minds, but it will provoke thought and discussion—and that is a contribution." In a pre-published review, ''

Kirkus Reviews ''Kirkus Reviews'' (or ''Kirkus Media'') is an American book review magazine founded in 1933 by Virginia Kirkus (1893–1980). The magazine is headquartered in New York City. ''Kirkus Reviews'' confers the annual Kirkus Prize to authors of fic ...

'' wrote, "A wider range of viewpoints might have made this discussion even more valuable, but readers with a knee-jerk opinion of Islam will learn a lot." Reviewing for ''

The New York Times ''The New York Times'' (''the Times'', ''NYT'', or the Gray Lady) is a daily newspaper based in New York City with a worldwide readership reported in 2020 to comprise a declining 840,000 paid print subscribers, and a growing 6 million paid ...

'', Canadian author

Irshad Manji Irshad Manji (born 1968) is a Ugandan-born Canadian educator. She is the author of ''The Trouble with Islam Today'' (2004) and ''Allah, Liberty and Love'' (2011), both of which have been banned in several Muslim countries. She also produced a PB ...

wrote, "Their back-and-forth clarifies multiple confusions that plague the public conversation about Islam." She writes, "Harris is right that liberals must end their silence about the religious motives behind much Islamist terror. At the same time, he ought to call out another double standard that feeds the liberal reflex to excuse Islamists: Atheists do not make nearly enough noise about hatred toward Muslims."

Film

A documentary of the same title, which focuses on dialogues between Harris and Nawaz, and includes interviews with Douglas Murray and

Ayaan Hirsi Ali Ayaan Hirsi Ali (; ; Somali: ''Ayaan Xirsi Cali'':'' Ayān Ḥirsī 'Alī;'' born Ayaan Hirsi Magan, ar, أيان حرسي علي / ALA-LC: ''Ayān Ḥirsī 'Alī'' 13 November 1969) is a Somali-born Dutch-American activist and former politicia ...

, was released on 11 December 2018.

References

External links

Islam and the Future of Tolerance documentary
{{Sam Harris 2015 non-fiction books Antitheism Articles containing video clips Non-fiction books adapted into films Books critical of Islam Books by Sam Harris Harvard University Press books Books about Islam and society Books about Islamic fundamentalism Islam-related literature History books about Islam Books about ideologies Collaborative non-fiction books

Contents

Reception

Film

See also

References

External links