PDF Africas of the Americas: Beyond the Search for Origins in the Study of Afro-atlantic Religions (Studies of Religion in Africa) by Stephan Palmie in History

Description

The relationship between Europe and Islam has been complicated; if not troubled; throughout the thirteen centuries since Muslims first began playing a part in European history. This volume offers a compact; yet comprehensive look at the entire history of the interaction of Islam and Eureopean culture; religion; and politics. Maurits S. Berger focuses in particular on the transformations that the figure of the Muslim and the image of Islam have undergone in the European mind. Conqueror; Antichrist; scholar; benign ruler; corsair; tradesman; fellow citizen—the Muslim has been all of those and more; and even today; as Muslims make up a substantial portion of Europe’s citizenry; they remain all too often a source of undeserved anxiety for ordinary people and politicians alike. Through Berger’s clear prose and incisive analysis; the story of Islam and Europe is seen as one of interaction and mutual influence rather than perpetual antagonism.