What does Islam think? What does Islam say? Why are there so many contradicting answers to these questions, which seem so simple? This introductory episode discusses why these questions are so difficult to answer and examines the diversity of Muslim cultures and identities.

Presented by Ariela Marcus-Sells, Religious Studies.

About the Perspectives on Islam series:

Recent polls indicate that most Americans have very limited information about Islam and that most do not personally know a Muslim. This series aims to provide information about Islam from a scholarly perceptive as well as present the perspectives and voices of Muslims from Elon’s own community. The goals of this series are: 1) to increase public knowledge about issues relating to Islam; and 2) to encourage people to think more deeply about issues common to all religious traditions and societies. Each episode answers some common questions and concerned and then raises other questions that are left unanswered. We hope that instructors will use these open questions to encourage debate, dialogue, and questioning.

References and Additional Resources:

Muslims around the world, 2012: http://www.pewforum.org/2012/12/18/global-religious-landscape-muslim/

Muslim population projections, 2015: http://www.pewforum.org/2015/04/02/muslims/

Survey of Muslims in the US, 2017: http://www.pewforum.org/2017/07/26/findings-from-pew-research-centers-2017-survey-of-us-muslims/


Uploaded by Ted Morée 2017-09-07