Amir Hussain: Oil & Water: Two Faiths, One God

by Juli Cragg Hilliard, Religion BookLine -- Publishers Weekly, 9/13/2006

A Muslim author and Loyola Marymount University associate professor confronts Christian perceptions of Islam.

RBL: What is the significance for a Muslim writer’s book to be published by a Christian press?

Hussain: Many of my teachers and friends have been Christian, so the interfaith stuff is not just something I do in an academic setting. To me, it’s incredibly powerful that the book is going out to a Christian audience from a Christian publisher.

RBL:What do you hope to achieve with this book?

Hussain: There are lots of introductions to Islam out there. There are not a lot of books written for a Christian audience. Secondly, it’s to help a Muslim audience understand about Christianity.

RBL: How do you explain violence by Muslims in the name of Islam?

Hussain: It troubles me tremendously. I’d like to say that it’s extremists and misguided people. The danger is people—Muslim, Christian, Jewish or whatever religion—who understand their tradition in such a narrow and extreme way. The day-to-day reality of American Muslims is that we are not plotting the downfall of America.

RBL: What do you have to say about author Robert Spencer's assertion (RBL Q&A Sept. 6) that Muhammad founded the world’s most intolerant religion?

Hussain: The Muhammad that he describes is not my Muhammad.

RBL: Do you think he faces danger in writing a biography of Muhammad?And do you, in writing this book, put yourself in peril?

Hussain: If the book puts me in peril, it’s only because it puts me in touch with a larger audience. I think there might be people that are offended by the portrayal Spencer makes of Muhammad. Is there danger? Yes, there is. Will it happen? Probably not in North America.

This article originally appeared in the September 13, 2006 issue of Religion BookLine. For more information about Religion BookLine, including a sample and subscription information, click here »

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