Bøger af Ziauddin Sardar

What do scientists actually do? Is science "e;value-free"e;? How has science evolved through history? Where is science leading us? "e;Introducing Philosophy of Science"e; is a clear and incisively illustrated map of the big questions underpinning science. It is essential reading for students, the general public, and even scientists themselves.

If a butterfly flaps its wings in Brazil, does it cause a tornado in Texas?Chaos theory attempts to answer such baffling questions. The discovery of randomness in apparently predictable physical systems has evolved into a science that declares the universe to be far more unpredictable than we have ever imagined.Introducing Chaos explains how chaos makes its presence felt in events from the fluctuation of animal populations to the ups and downs of the stock market. It also examines the roots of chaos in modern maths and physics, and explores the relationship between chaos and complexity, the unifying theory which suggests that all complex systems evolve from a few simple rules.This is an accessible introduction to an astonishing and controversial theory.

Islam is one of the world's great monotheistic religions. Islamic culture, spanning 1,500 years, has produced some of the finest achievements of humanity. Yet the religion followed by a fifth of humankind is too often seen in the West in terms of fundamentalism, bigotry and violence- a perception that couldn't be more wrong. Introducing Islam recounts the history of Islam from the birth of Prophet Muhammad in the 6th century to its status as a global culture and political force today. Charting the achievements of Muslim civilisation, it explains the nature and message of the Qur'an, outlines the basic features of Islamic law, and assesses the impact of colonialism on Muslim societies. Ziauddin Sardar and Zafar Abbas Malik show how Muslims everywhere are trying to live their faith and are shaping new Islamic ideas and ideals for a globalised world.

There is more to Scotland than the intensifying debate on independence. This is a rich land, with a rich culture and past that defy commonly held stereotypes of the Scottish people. But their nation also played a central role in the British Empire and has links to slavery. There are Muslims in far-flung places, and their influence on Scottish identity and culture is increasing. In this issue, we explore the history and diversity of Scotland, relate the chronicles of Scotland's Muslims, get high on Scottish poetry, trace the influence of Scots on Muslim novelists, and unpack the politics of Scotland's minority language-speakers. About Critical Muslim: A quarterly publication of ideas and issues showcasing groundbreaking thinking on Islam and what it means to be a Muslim in a rapidly changing, interconnected world. Each edition centers on a discrete theme, and contributions include reportage, academic analysis, cultural commentary, photography, poetry, and book reviews.

In this enlightening and highly readable book, a leading British Muslim intellectual offers a refreshingly new interpretation of the Qur'an.

Cyberfutures offers a close examination of issues that will become increasingly important as computers, networks, and technologies occupy crucial roles in our everyday lives. Comprised of essays from a range of occupational and disciplinary perspectives, including those of Vivian Sobchack and Arturo Escobar, the volume makes essential reading for students in cultural and media studies, anthropology, as well as for citizens interested in considering the larger implications of the Information Superhighway.

A delightful memoir of a life lived in Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Britain, brimming with poignancy, poetry and absurdity.

A succinct history of racism, xenophobia and the concept of 'otherness' from ancient Greece to the present day.

Islam has been corrupted. A virulent strain of the religion manifests itself in bloodthirsty mutations such as Boko Haram in Nigeria and the terrifying spectre of ISIS. But behind the atrocities and turmoil lie many different versions and visions of Islam, each struggling to survive in a rapidly changing world.Ziauddin Sardar, with inimitable wit and intelligence, chronicles the diversity and richness of Islam and, in doing so, answers a host of frequently asked questions:Is Islam inherently violent and misogynistic?Why do young men and women choose to join the jihadi caliphate?What part should Muhammad's teachings play in our own times?Islam Beyond the Violent Jihadis argues for a pluralistic and reflective religion with a distinguished past - but one that appears to have been wrenched from its noble origins by rigid fundamentalism. In examining how we have nourished the rise of Islamic jihadi groups, Sardar urges us all to work together to preserve the sanity of our world.

Selected writings of one of the leading cultural theorists of our time

Reads the Qur'an in the context in which the verses were revealed, and, in doing so, highlights the relevance of its teachings today

Mecca is the heart of Islam. It is the birthplace of Muhammad, the direction towards which Muslims turn when they pray and the site of pilgrimage which annually draws some three million Muslims from all corners of the world. Yet Mecca's importance goes beyond religion. What happens in Mecca and how Muslims think about the political and cultural history of Mecca has had and continues to have a profound influence on world events to this day. In this captivating book, Ziauddin Sardar unravels the significance of Mecca. Tracing its history, from its origins as a 'barren valley' in the desert to its evolution as a trading town and sudden emergence as the religious centre of a world empire, Sardar examines the religious struggles and rebellions in Mecca that have powerfully shaped Muslim culture. Interweaving stories of his own pilgrimages to Mecca with those of others, Sardar offers a unique insight into not just the spiritual aspects of Mecca - the passion, ecstasy and longing it evokes - but also the conflict between heritage and modernity that has characterised its history. He unpeels the physical, social and cultural dimensions that have helped transform the city and also, though accounts of such Orientalist travellers as Richard Burton and Charles Doughty, the strange fascination that Mecca has long inspired in the Western imagination. And, ultimately, he explores what this tension could mean for Mecca's future. An illuminative, lyrical and witty blend of history, reportage and memoir, this outstanding book reflects all that is profound, enlightening and curious about one of the most important religious sites in the world.

A quarterly magazine of ideas and issues showcasing ground breaking thinking on Islam and what it means to be a Muslim in a rapidly changing, interconnected world.

A quarterly magazine of ideas and issues showcasing ground breaking thinking on Islam and what it means to be a Muslim in a rapidly changing, interconnected world. .

Cultural Studies signals a major academic revolution for the 21st century. But what exactly is it, and how is it applied? It is a discipline that claims not to be a discipline; it is a radical critical approach for understanding racial, national, social and gender identities. "e;Introducing Cultural Studies"e; provides an incisive tour through the minefield of this complex subject, charting its origins in Britain and its migration to the USA, Canada, France, Australia and South Asia, examining the ideas of its leading exponents and providing a flavour of its use around the world. Covering the ground from Gramsci to Raymond Williams, postcolonial discourse to the politics of diaspora, feminism to queer theory, technoculture and the media to globalization, it serves as an insightful guide to the essential concepts of this fascinating area of study. It is essential reading for all those concerned with the quickening pulse of old, new and emerging cultures.

The media is ubiquitous. Every day we watch hours of TV, listen to the radio, read newspapers and magazines, go to the cinema, sit in front of videos or surf the Web. These information commodities exercise enormous influence and power over all of us. Introducing Media Studies explores the complex relationship between the media, ideology, knowledge and power. It provides a scintillating tour of media history and presents a coherent view of the media industry, media theory and methods in media research. It explains how 'the audience' is constructed and how it in turn interprets the content and meaning of media representation. We also learn how to analyse film, deconstruct advertising and appreciate how TV and the press shape public opinion. The media is a condition of our existence and, in an unprecedented way, the pervading shape of our history. No one can afford to neglect a critical understanding of its omnipresence. Here is an entertaining and informative book, accessible to students and general readers concerned with the increasing power, influence and proliferation of the media.

Looking beyond the common perceptions and polemical debates.

';Elucidating . . . describes the basics of Islam, including the Qur'an and hadith, the life of Muhammad and the history of Islam and Muslims.'Publishers Weekly (starred review) ';The world is green and beautiful; and God has appointed you as His trustee over it.'The Prophet Muhammad Islam is one of the great monotheistic religions of the world. It produced a magnificent civilization, envied for its science and learning, spanning over a thousand years. The teachings of Islam emphasize unity, humility, forgiveness and love of God. The Qur'an sings the virtues of knowledge and rationality. The life of Muhammad demonstrates the importance of tolerance, social justice and brotherhood. In Sufism, Islam presents a mystical system based on love and devotion. So why is Islam associated with hatred, violence, obstinacy and bigotry? Ziauddin Sardar examines the true teachings of Islam and explores the reality of the Muslim world today. Emphasizing the diversity of Islam and its ideals, he assesses the role Islam plays in the lives of ordinary Muslims and how Islamic beliefs and practices help Muslims understand the modern world. ';Ziauddin Sardar is arguably one of the best-known Muslim public intellectuals in the world today. He is an iconoclast, often a gadfly and undoubtedly one of the few Muslim intellectuals who span the proverbial Two Cultures.'Muslim News ';Among the many sanguine introductions to Islam, Sardar's moves immediately to the front rank for its readability.'Booklist

';A curious, often amusing travelogue of [Sardar's] quest for understanding and the Muslims he has encountered along his journeys.'Publishers Weekly Ziauddin Sardar, one of the foremost Muslim intellectuals in Britain, learned the Koran at his mother's knee in Pakistan. As a young student in London he set out to grasp the meaning of his religion, and, hopefully, to find ';paradise,' his quest leading him throughout the Muslim world, from Iran to China to Turkey. Along the way he accepts that he may never reach paradisebut it's the journey that's important. At a time when the view of Islam in the West is so often distorted and simplistic, Desperately Seeking Paradiseself-mocking, frank and passionateis essential reading. ';Intoxicating . . . upon finishing the book, I turned back and started reading it all over again.'Kamila Shamise, New Statesman ';At once and earnest and humorous, light-hearted and profound, this is a book that displays a sustained capacity for self-questioning of a kind that has few parallels in the liberal West.'The Independent ';This challenging book not only acts as a guide for Muslims but provides insight and clarification for those outside the Islamic faith.'Financial Times ';The only funny book I've read about Islam.'Mail on Sunday

Propelled by its mythology, America pursues its dream relentlessly. Here, the authors expose the dark side of that fantasy: death, suffering, perpetual fear, an increasing divide between rich and poor, a squandering of the human future, and the relentless building of more and more pretexts for future wars.

Islam er en af verdens største monoteistiske religioner, en kultur med 1400 års historie og en civilisation med en milliard mennesker, der udgør en fjerdedel af jordens befolkning. Alligevel bliver den religion som Muhammad grundlagde, først og fremmest associeret med kvindediskriminering, olie, fundamentalisme og hykleri. Islam er en stærk politisk kraft i verden af i dag, men er samtidig en af verdens mindst forståede religioner.Islam - en introduktion er ikke bare en god vejleder til at forstå den islamiske verden, men også et vigtigt indlæg i en saglig og konstruktiv debat om hvordan man kan integrere de fremmede som repræsentanter for en anderledes kultur og egner sig både til selvstudium og som debatoplæg. Den fortæller historien om Islam fra Muhammads fødsel i den arabiske verden i slutningen af 500-tallet frem til Islams kulturelle og politiske udformning og betydning i vor tid.Islam - en introduktion er smukt illustreret af kunstneren og designeren Zafar Abbas Malik og har en let forståelig og oplysende tekst af Ziauddin Sardar, forfatter til mange bøger og artikler om mulimsk tænkning. Islam - en introduktion giver både en fremragende indføring i islamsk tro og tradition og en gennemgang af de nye ideer og idealer, der er i færd med at omforme den muslimske verden."- et væsentligt og sobert indlæg (-) gennemillustreret i islamisk billedtradition med tekst og billeder flettet ind i hinanden. Let at læse, for alle interesserede fra ca. 12 år og opad. Også meget velegnet som supplement til danskundervisningen." Martin Hjelmborg, ibc.Andre titler i samme serie:Kafka, Joyce, Camus, Freud og Jung.