Series:

Contemporary Thought in the Islamic World

2 total works

Cover of Contemporary Approaches to the Qurʾan and its Interpretation in Iran

This book sets out how contemporary Iranian scholars have approached the Qurʾān during recent decades. It particularly aims to explore the contributions of scholars that have emerged in the post 1979-revolution era, outlining their primary interpretive methods and foundational theories regarding the reading of the Qurʾān.

Examining issues such as the status of women, democracy, freedom of religion and human rights, this book analyses the theoretical contributions of several Iranian scholars, some of which are new to the English-speaking academy. The hermeneutical approaches of figures such Abdolkarim Soroush, Muhammad Mojtahed Shabestari, Mohsen Kadivar, Hasan Yousefi-Eshkevari, Abolqasem Fanaie and Mostafa Malekian are presented and then analysed to demonstrate how a contextualist approach to the Qu’ran has been formed in response to the influence of Western Orientalism. The effect of this approach to the Qu’ran is then shown to have wide-ranging effects on Iranian society.

This study reveals Qu’ranic thought that has been largely overlooked by the West. It will, therefore. Be of great use to academics in Religious, Islamic and Qurʾānic studies as well as those studying the culture of Iran and the Middle East more generally.

Cover of Freedom of Religion in Indonesia
Indonesia, widely known as the 'world's largest Islamic nation' and 'a tolerant' and 'democratic' nation, has been going through major changes in the post-New Order era. This era is known as 'reformasi' and is marked by the removal of President Suharto in May 1998. Reformasi remains as a movement that is considered to be driving contemporary political change. This is despite the many failures of the movement's aspirations and goals. Corruption remains as a source of daily political controversy. The free media and freedom of expression has allowed for radical and antagonistic voices to prosper. Decentralisation has given governors and regional representatives the power to implement laws that limit the religious freedom of minorities. Providing an analysis of recent developments of religious freedom in Indonesia in relation to the study of Islamic thought and theology, Freedom of Religion in Indonesia discusses religious freedom with an understanding of the history of Islamic thought and how it has developed, changed and diversified depending on time and place.