I definitely had issues with this book. Kuran uses broad brushstrokes to paint Islam in a negative light without using concrete evidence. Furthermore, his analysis focuses on few Islamic countries. His focus when it comes to facts and figures is centered around Turkey with little compare/contrast between other Islamic countries.

Why is it that despite the tremendous amount of wealth that has been created over the centuries, Muslim nations still remain economically backward? Could it be due to the fact that Muslims have stayed away from conventional investments for fear of interest? Or is it a general failure of Muslims in general to truly embrace capitalism in favour of more “Islamic” economic systems?

Timur Kuran discusses these issues in a series of well-researched essays compiled in this timely book. In th More...