Here are some recent books by Christians that nevertheless treat Islam very sympathetically:

Colin Chapman: “Islam and the West – Conflict, Co-existence or Conversion?” Paternoster Press, 1998 – a book about the whole history of Muslim-Christian relations from the earliest days. Chapters 6 and 7 are specific to the situation in the UK today, but have some relevance for Australia. Kate Zebiri, School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London, describes it as representing “The best of Christian thinking about Islam…seeks to overcome some of the stereotypes and generalizations of the past, and demonstrates a willingness to listen to Muslim voices”.

Gerald R. McDermott: “Can Evangelicals Learn from World Religions?” Intervarsity Press, 2000 Written for American evangelicals, its chapter on Islam, “Muhammad and the Signs of God” seeks the common ground. McDermott writes, “evangelical discipleship can be enlivened and enriched by exposure to non-Christian to non-Christian religious experience. Our understanding of Scripture and of Christ will be deepened, and the result will be a more mature church – led by disciples who know more of Christ, both intellectually and experentially.”

“Daughters of Islam”, which came out last year, breaks down stereotypes of Muslim women, in much the same way as Geraldine Brooks’ book did, but from a Christian evangelical perspective. I can’t give you the author or details as I’ve lent it to someone. It’s anecdotal and an interesting read for women – mainly.

Not quite so recent: Bill Musk’s books, “Passionate Believing” and “The Unseen Face of Islam”, about Muslim extremism and folk Islam respectively, are intelligent, balanced and well-researched. [Monarch Press, 1992 and 19??]

John Gilchrist: “Our Approach to Islam: Charity or Militancy?” [Jesus to the Muslims, PO Box 1804, Benoni 1500, Republic of South Africa, 1990] is a loving response to the clash between Christianity and Islam in SA, as evidenced on http://www.Islamzine.com

I could recommend heaps more resources, but these are the most sympathetic in my experience.

Personally, if I were running something on Islam, I would provide a framework by simply outlining the Five Pillars, and giving a quick background to the Sunni-Shia divide, stressing that there are further divisions, and that extremists and moderates occupy both camps. The Five Pillars can be presented without making any value judgements whatsoever – I did it for years as an Indonesian and History teacher and never offended anyone, Muslim, Christian or whatever.

I would then draw on the other resources to flesh things out and help people discuss the issues that have been raised over recent events.

Hope this helps!

Salam,

[A netfriend]

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Another:

I recently read a very good book “Waging Peace on Islam” by Christine A Mallouhi, Monarch Books 2000. This book looks at living with Islam as a Christian in Islamic countries. Her main thesis is that we ought to adopt the approach of St. Francis in our relationships with Islam – one of tolerance and love. I thoroughly enjoyed the read and recommend it. It gives good background to Islam and St. Francis’ teachings etc. and I bought it for under $20.

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Another:

You could try “The Muslim Mind” by Charis Waddy, 1976, Longman, ISBN 0-582-78061-6.

I see that there is a much more recent edition – 2001, I believe. Try this URL for results of a Google search on the book title (must be single long line) or make your own:

http://www.google.com/search?num=100&hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&newwindow=1 &safe=off&q=%2B%22the+muslim+mind%22+%2Bcharis&btnG=Google+Search

Australian-born Dr Waddy grew up in post World War I Jerusalem and later became the first woman to study Arabic at Oxford, specialising in the Arab experience through the Crusades.

To quote the inside front jacket of our copy: “By copious quotations from Isalmic literature, from modern Islamic writing and from personal interviews with Muslims, Dr Waddy has compiled a symposium of Muslim attitudes and thought, especially on topics of immediate importance, from family life to international agreement. The book is a singularly lucid exposition of the Muslim mind today.”

From http://www.ivanrdee.com/winter_NaReligion.html …

Charis Waddy The Muslim Mind Muslim readers of earlier editions of The Muslim Mind welcomed the Christian author who had portrayed their faith with fairness and candor. The sincere answers to her inquiries given by many Muslims afford a vivid insight into the spirit and practice of Islam. “Most published works focus on Islam largely in terms of its past. But most teachers are concerned with Islam as a social reality in the present. The Muslim Mind is a gallant attempt to embrace the diversity of Islamic reactions to the modern world.”-Times Educational Supplement. Illustrated. $19.95 paper, ISBN 1-56131-014-X

Hope this helps.