Islam Without Extremes: A Muslim Case for Liberty - October 17, 2011

In his new book, Islam Without Extremes: A Muslim Case for Liberty, Muslim journalist and author Mustafa Akyol argues that “a fundamental need for the contemporary Muslim world is to embrace liberty – the liberty of individuals and communities, Muslim and non-Muslims, believers and unbelievers, women and men, ideas and opinions, markets and entrepreneurs.”

Tracing the historical and political roots of liberty and tyranny within the Islamic world, Akyol outlines an internal struggle between rigid dogmatism and reasoned pluralism within the faith’s differing schools of thought. Akyol advances both religious and political arguments for a secular state that simultaneously allows “freedom from Islam” while appreciating the profound contributions of religion in a self-governing society. An interpretation of Islam that embraces liberty can, Akyol suggests, coexist with religious, political, economic, and social freedoms.

Mustafa Akyol is a Turkish journalist, author, and speaker whose writings have appeared in many publications including the Washington Post, Newsweek, The Wall Street Journal, and The Weekly Standard.

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