Britain and Islam

An eye-opening history of Britain and the Islamic world—a thousand-year relationship that is closer, deeper, and more mutually beneficial than is often recognized

In this broad yet sympathetic survey—ranging from the Crusades to the modern day—Martin Pugh explores the social, political, and cultural encounters between Britain and Islam. He looks, for instance, at how reactions against the Crusades led to Anglo-Muslim collaboration under the Tudors, at how Britain posed as defender of Islam in the Victorian period, and at her role in rearranging the Muslim world after 1918.

Pugh argues that, contrary to current assumptions, Islamic groups have often embraced Western ideas, including modernization and liberal democracy. He shows how the difficulties and Islamophobia that Muslims have experienced in Britain since the 1970s are largely caused by an acute crisis in British national identity. In truth, Muslims have become increasingly key participants in mainstream British society—in culture, sport, politics, and the economy.

O istorie deschizatoare de ochi a Marii Britanii si a lumii islamice - o relatie de o mie de ani, care este mai stransa, mai profunda si mai benefica reciproc decat este adesea recunoscuta in acest sondaj larg, dar simpatic - de la cruciade pana in zilele noastre - Martin Pugh exploreaza intalniri sociale, politice si culturale intre Marea Britanie si Islam.