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Religion has played a role in conflict throughout history, with religious scriptures often being used to justify violence. In Search of Solutions evaluates the role of religion in Northern Ireland, Bosnia and Israel-Palestine. The book argues that religion has a tendency towards conflict and that peace is best guaranteed when human individuals commune directly with the divine without the mediation of organized religions. Different approaches to the reading of scriptures are introduced, drawing on post-modern theory. In Search of Solutions will be invaluable for the student seeking a clear over

Five women have served as leaders of Muslim countries, namely Megawati Sukarnoputri (Vice President of Indonesia, 1991-2001 and President 2002-4), Benazir Bhutto (PM of Pakistan, 1988-90 and 1993-6), Sheikh Hasina (PM of Bangladesh, 1996-2001), Khaleda Zia (PM of Bangladesh, 1991-5 and 2001-6) and Tansu Çiller (PM of Turkey, 1993-6). This is an extraordinary record and somewhat of a challenge to the widespread perception that Muslim women are oppressed. Four of the women belonged to political families by birth or marriage, raising interesting questions about the extent to which this played a role alongside their skills and personal qualities in their rise to power. To what degree did culture rather than Islam aid and abet their roles, or indeed is it sustainable to distinguish Islam from culture. This study of the role of these five powerful Muslim women uses their life and work to explore relevant issues, such as the role of culture, gender in Islam and the nature of the Islamic state.

Introduction: Confrontation versus Conciliation, Debate versus Dialogue -- 1. The Bible: An Agenda for Dialogue or for Diatribe? -- 2. The Qur'an and Christianity: Affection or Hostility -- 3. Christian Polemic towards Islam: Classical Contributions -- 4. Christian Conciliatory Approaches to Islam -- 5. The Traditional Muslim Confrontational Approach to Christianity -- 6. Muslim Conciliatory Approaches to Christianity -- 7. Contemporary Christian and Muslim Polemic -- 8. Contemporary Christian and Muslim Conciliatory Contributions -- Conclusion.

Jihaoists, inspired by the solafist version of Islam, which aims to restore Islam's greatness by returning to Islam's founding principles (5; 78) want to establish Islamic states, or an international Islamic entity, led by 'a theocrat devoted to the true faith' (p. 84). There is a great deal of useful information on Islamic banking, on rivalry between the Iranians and the Saudis in leading Islamic revival, while Osama bin Laden features prominently throughout.

Bennett reviews 'Sicques, Tigers or Thieves': Eyewitness Accounts of the Sikhs (1606-1809) edited by Amandeep Singh Madra and Parmjit Singh.

Bennett reviews 'Surviving Diversity: Religion and Democratic Citizenship' by Jeff Spinner-Halev.

Bennett reviews 'Education, Religion, and the Common Good: Advancing a Distinctly American Conversation About Religion's Role in Our Shared Life' by Martin E. Marty with Jonathan Moore.

'In the Shadow of the Mahatma: Bishop V.S. Azariah and the Travails of Christianity in British India' by Susan Billington Harper is reviewed.

'The Sikh Diaspora: The Search for Statehood' by Darshan Singh Tatla is reviewed.

'Jihad: The Origin of Holy War in Islam' by Reuven Firestone is reviewed.

Bennett reviews 'A Fundamental Fear: Eurocentrism and the Emergence of Islamism' by Bobby S. Sayyid.

Introduction. My personal journey -- Can Christians appreciate the prophet Muhammad as a genuine messenger from God or is this theological treason? -- How might Christians respond to the Muslim claim that Jesus was a prophet and is not God incarnate? -- Can Christians with integrity regard the Qur'an as a word from God? -- Is there any possibility of rapprochement on the issue of whether Jesus died on the cross? -- The state of official church-related Christian-Muslim dialogue -- Suggestions on how Christians can challenge negative tropes about Muslims and cooperate in peace and justice advocacy, social and community development -- Conclusion.