Goodreads Mobile | see what your friends are reading

Aug 01, 2008

Skylar rated it:

Imagine you begin to see the Nazis gaining influence in Germany. Imagine they have already killed several thousand Jews and are talking of killing more. Imagine the German people are doing nothing to stop them and that many are too afraid even to speak out. Then imagine somebody writes a book saying, "What are you worried about? Nine in ten Germans are moderate. Only one in ten Germans think the concentration camps are COMPLETELY justified. So stop saying there's a problem with Germany. If More...

26 comments like (5 people liked it)

Jun 30, 2008

Anne rated it:

A straightforward presentation of the results and the implications of the results from a worldwide Gallup poll of the world's Muslims. I found this book a much-needed counterbalance to the prevailing Islamaphobia in so much of the public discourse of the USA. Among the points that this books makes are: jihad doesn't mean holy war; radical militant Muslims are better educated, richer, and less religious than moderate Muslims; sharia is not inherently anti-democratic or discriminatory; Muslim me More...

0 comments like (3 people liked it)

Dec 19, 2008

Khalid rated it:

"Who Speaks for Islam?" is a gem; just plain simple: You should read it.

The world sees Islam through the most visible actions of the most extreme people, but this is not who we are. Muslims are so diverse and, when looked at scientifically, we are so peaceful, friendly, and very normal.

Numbers are so beautiful, because they tell you the plain truth with no embellishment. This book uses statistics generated by Gallup's World Poll (A global poll by a very renowned More...

0 comments like (1 person liked it)

Nov 09, 2010

Aban (Aby) rated it:

I was SO impressed with this book! It is based on the results of a mammoth Gallup Poll research study between 2001 and 2007 which surveyed a sample representing 90% of the world's 1.3 billion Muslims. The survey (conducted through tens of thousands of hour-long, face-to-face interviews)covered such questions as: what Muslims like and/or dislike about the West, how they feel about terrorism and attacks on civilians, their views on women's rights, religion, government and legislation. The respons More...

0 comments like

Sep 11, 2010

Louis rated it:

"Critical to the fight against global terrorism is an ability to move beyond presuppositions and stereotypes in our attitudes and policies and to form partnerships that transcend an 'us' and 'them' view of the world." (p. 135)

"Who Speaks for Islam?" is by far the best book I have read on Islam. I believe that if a large number of people would read this book and take it to heart, maybe some progress could be made toward peace. The primary basis of the book is reviewi More...

0 comments like

Oct 19, 2010

Alkhansaa rated it:

الكتاب رائع، يجب أن أعود لأتحدث عنه :)

----
تحديث 12/11/1431هـ

ليلة جفاني فيها النوم

تعرفت على داليا مجاهد عندما قرأت خبر تعيينها مستشارة لأوباما، وشاهدت الكتاب على رف مكتبة الشروق وعليه إسمها فدفعني الفضول لشرائه، الكتاب يتحدث بلغة الأرقام، أي لغة الإحصائيات حول عدد من الأفكار والآراء في العالم الإسلامي، داليا كإمرأة مسلمة في الغرب، كثيراً ماواجهت الصورة النمطية حول العالم الإسلامي والمسلمين فقررت أن تقوم بعمل استطلاع كبير لعرض وجهات النظر في العالم الإسلام More...

0 comments like (4 people liked it)

Jul 23, 2010

Shawn rated it:

So far a lot of this is common sense stuff. The surveys from different countries are very interesting, and the explanation of the array of factions regarding Islam is interesting as well. The bit about Jihad seems to be speaking to an audience that would otherwise be convinced that the Koran/Islam/Jihad are totally violent, but this section serves a purpose regarding the different interpretations of the meaning of Jihad. The book also highlightes passages that are often taken out of context o More...

0 comments like

Jan 15, 2011

Svelteassassin rated it:

A narrative report on the Gallup World Survey of Muslims, an exhaustive survey taken from 2001-2007. For those of us who aren't world travelers (yet) and don't have a lot of contact with Muslims or the Islamic world, in general, this book is essential reading. Common American perceptions of Muslim beliefs and of Islamic practices and ideals are blown out of the water. And not just the obvious Fox News propaganda like "They hate us for our freedom" (our freedoms are the things they m More...

0 comments like

May 13, 2011

Taranimu rated it:

This book is highly recommended for Muslims especially non-Muslims. This is a survey conducted systematically by John L. Esposito and Dalia Mogahed with the collaboration of Gallup's world poll. It is conducted throughout the Muslim world including USA. It will serve as a refutation to those who speak for Islam without referring to the majority. It will provide as insights that the extremists are magnified and sensationalized by Media and other frenzied elements.It will further show us what majo More...

0 comments like

Apr 20, 2010

Yasser rated it:

The data is available on Gallup website: http://tinyurl.com/y7g6aqt
I have the first edition only.
The results of the polls are surprising and revealing, even for myself.
Well there will be people who wouldn't like the results of the polls because it does not show an awful enemy, I see statistics in front of me, whether they were carefully chosen or not, they still paint a general picture that is much truer than the mutilated one in mainstream media.

Interesting to k More...

0 comments like

Mar 10, 2011

Areej rated it:

الكتاب موجه للمجتمعات الغربيه وخاصه المجتمع الامريكي
لذلك فهو لم يأت بجديد بالنسبه للقارئ المسلم
لكن الجديد فيه هي الاحصاءات واستفتاءات الرأي , التي قد يأتي بعضها مدهشا !
استفتاءات الرأي شملت انحاء العالم الاسلامي من شرق اسيا الى اقصى شرق افريقيا
" كيف يفكر حقا مليار مسلم ؟"
اذا اردت ان تعرف كيف يفكر المسلمون في انحاء العالم, فأظن هذا الكتاب مناسب لك
More...

0 comments like

Mar 29, 2009

Lindsay rated it:

I plan to re-read this book as soon as possible and then write a proper review. Until then, I will say this book is AMAZING. Instead of merely anectodal experiences from my time in the Middle East, I now am armed with facts and intelligent analysis about the beautiful religion of Islam, so often misunderstood and even feared. I wish I had enough money to purchase this book as a gift for all our family and friends! As Americans, we have an important duty to overcome our ignorance and learn about More...

1 comment like (1 person liked it)

Oct 03, 2008

Larry rated it:

There are so many books being passed around among my fellow evangelicals these days, the basic theme of which is "Islam is a terrible, hateful religion full of terrorists". This book is refreshing for its careful research and balance.

For example, did you know that 80% of Iranians, 81% of people from Bangladesh, and 86% of Pakistanis say that it is never justifiable to intentionally target innocent civilians in order to achieve political or military ends?

Only 46% More...

0 comments like

Nov 26, 2010

Summers rated it:

This is definitely worth reading. I learned so much and have a greater respect for Muslims as a whole, and will no longer buy into the prejudices and stereotypes. This book does not try to deny that terrorism exists, but it puts it perspective relative to mainstream Muslims and relative to the Islamic teachings (which do not teach murder and terrorism). For example, the majority of Muslims do not live in Iraq & Afganistan, but whenever we think of Muslims, those are the countries we think of so More...

0 comments like

Aug 10, 2009

Mona rated it:

Based on Gallup World Polls conducted from 2002 through 2006, the book takes a scientific, methodological approach to understanding Muslims. Interviews were conducted both by telephone and face-to face in more than 35 countries with significant Muslim populations. The book has an introductory chapter first explaining who Muslims are (where do they live? what do they believe? etc.), followed by a few chapters focusing on specific topics. The data are often separated by country and compared with r More...

0 comments like

Feb 23, 2009

Jess rated it:

this book is really important as it offers insight into the actual opinions and beliefs of the majority of the world's muslim population. my greatest concern probably results from a rush to publication. The authors/editors of the Gallup polls the book is based on tend to argue that statistics gathered are particularly positive or negative based on the situation, not based on any bright line. I especially recommend Chapter 4 and 5.

0 comments like

Aug 31, 2008

Benjamin added it

It was too basic for me, so I stopped reading. Though it has the potential to be a good "Islam for dummies" book, whereas both Fundamentalist Christians and Fundamentalist Muslims could see similarities with each other. I man tried to buy this from me, thinking that "I'd like to see how the other side thinks." That is where this book is best served. And I appreciate the guy's search for answers beyond the "analysts" on TV

Basically, the first part poi More...

0 comments like

Feb 24, 2010

Nate rated it:

Written as a result of the largest poll undertaken by Gallup in the Islamic world. The findings show that many of the ideas that permeat through the U.S. and Europe about Muslims and Arabs are wrong. A fascinating look at issues such as democracy, women's rights, and the West's involvement in the Middle East. A great book for anybody who is interested in understanding how Muslims feel about dozens of issues.

0 comments like

Nov 01, 2011

Hana rated it:

الكتاب عبارة عن عرض لإحصائيات أقيمت في أكثر البلدان الإسلامية.

لا أعلم كيف أقيم الكتاب كونه
- موجه لشريحة أخرى تجهل تماما أغلب ما أعلمه مسبقا
- استخدام الأسلوب الإحصائي الرقمي في عرضه والذي أجده مناسب جدا للغرب

بمعنى .. أنك تعلم أغلب ما كتب في الكتاب من معلومات كونها تعبر عن رأي العالم العربي والإسلامي أجمع

أجده مفيد للكل لكنه أكثر فائدة لمن يقطن في أحد البلاد الغربية ويدخل في نقاشات حول الإرهاب و تهميش الإسلام للمرأة. كذلك أجده مفيد كمرجع للبحوث الدارسة لنظرة More...

0 comments like

Nov 18, 2010

Muhammad rated it:

كتاب اكثر من رائع .. على الرغم من انه لم يأتي بجديد بالنسبة لأغلبنا ولكن سيذهلك كم الحقائق التي يعرضها بشكل إحصائي علمي .المجهود المبذول في الإستفتاء الذي يعرض الكتاب نتائجه يستحق الاعجاب .

0 comments like

Oct 18, 2011

Sharolyn rated it:

A quick read on a huge gallop poll which questioned Muslims around the world about their beliefs. It clarifies many misunderstandings we westerners have about Islam. It was a great benefit to me in considering how to teach about Islam and the Middle East.

0 comments like

Nov 13, 2011

Olivia rated it:

Useful teaching tool for an intro-level college course on Islam/the Muslim world. I assigned chapters from this text to my Intro to Political Islam students this semester -- most found the writing accessible and the poll data thought-provoking.

0 comments like

Jul 05, 2009

Ellen rated it:

This is basically a summary of the findings of Gallup polls about Islamic attitudes and concerns around the world. Perhaps the most interesting was that Muslims' greatest grievance about the United States is that Americans do not respect them and their religion. It seems to me that if we want to make peace with Islam we have to learn as much as we can about it, while keeping an open mind. That's a good way to read this book as well.

0 comments like

Dec 04, 2010

Angelique rated it:

Great book based on the Gallup polls and surveys that were taken throughout 2001-2007 (a massive research project), that greatly dispells the myths and misconceptions that anyone might have of the world's Muslim population.

0 comments like

Aug 17, 2009

Kristin rated it:

Holy statistics!! A fabulous look at the majority of the Muslim world, and how it correlates to Americans opinions on their own religion (Christianity).

A must read.

0 comments like

Aug 13, 2011

Bryce rated it:

This book presents the results of a worldwide poll of Muslims conducted from 2000-2005. I think many Americans may be surprised by some of the information.

0 comments like

Apr 21, 2008

Lisa rated it:

This was easy to read, but the content is obviously not so easy for many to digest or it wouldn't have been written. Based on a substansial Gallup poll, the data analyzed seems to point to the fact that not all Muslims are radical nor are they all terrorists. (So glad that was clarified!) I just wonder if the intended audience will read it and whether or not it will influence opinions or relations. This book flies in the face of Because They Hate, which I also read and reviewed. I'd love to More...

0 comments like

Jan 23, 2010

Shaheena rated it:

I strongly urge EVERY citizen of the world to read this. It is based on Gallup poll data and the numbers tell the real story.

0 comments like

Nov 04, 2008

Lotte rated it:

If you are looking for an in-depth understanding of Muslims around the world, this is not the book to read. Who Speaks for Islam reports on and interprets a large, often face-to-face, Gallup survey conducted in about 35 countries around the world. Questions posed helped determine what ordinary Muslims think about the USA, foreign policy, religion, the status of women, family life, etc. Easy to read, it provides an overview of the many faces of Islam, and they are more varied than we usually r More...

1 comment like

Jan 24, 2009

Efwilza rated it:

it's really open my knowledge about "How is Islam from other sight".

0 comments like

reviews