Islam Is: An Experience of Dialogue and Devotion

Rating:
Summary: Understanding Islam
Review: My lack of understanding of the Islam faith prompted me to read this book. I am excited and grateful!! The clear and precise explanations of the Islam faith and the comparisons to Christianity gave me a deep understanding and appreciation of this tradition. As we live a most difficult moment historically, learning about the ongoing dialogue between monastics of different faiths gives one a hope for the conflicts that we are living. I thank Sister Meg, for sharing her experience and wisdom with us. I highly recommend it, not only from a spiritual viewpoint, but also for its political implications.

Rating:
Summary: Learning the basics
Review: Sr. Funk has given us a very brief but a very helpful outline of the most basic tenets of Islam while also identifying some issues of concern for Muslims vis-a-vis their emigration to the U.S. She speaks out of her own personal experience of dialogue as a contemplative nun. She has skillfully drawn limitations for herself and has chosen not to go to great lengths to discuss pros and cons of the faith. In a sense, the book is a basic essay in which a non-Muslim tries to explain what Islam is as a first step toward understanding it better. It is therefore an invitation to explore more and she welcomes the response of the Muslim community so that she can continue a dialogue. I found the book very easy to read and extremely helpful in just beginning to understand what often seems so mysterious.