Your Fatwa Does Not Apply Here: Untold Stories from the Fight Against Muslim Fundamentalism

Too little of the work being done on the front lines of Muslim fundamentalism has gone unsung and unsupported, especially given the media focus around this important issue. Bennoune catalogs the stories of the women and men who have stood up in their countries and communities to make their voices heard and to stand for the human rights that form the backbone of secular government. I read this book on a series of long-haul flights, keeping my reading light on at all hours, unable to put it down. The emotion and sheer courage which those activists and human rights defenders, artists and journalists, defend their rights and the rights of all made me swell with emotion. And then, the obvious question: why aren't we doing all we can to support them? I could not recommend this book more highly, for those seeking to understand the context of Muslim fundamentalism and for those wondering what can be done about it. Bennoune offers us a glimpse over the last few decades of a struggle that has gone unnoticed for too long. Simply ground-breaking stuff.

bennoune does a great job decribing what most of us in the west do not realize goes on as moderate muslims fight against the radical who get all the press attention due to their violent acts; a story that needs to be more widely understood; i have had fortune to visit many of the places she describes esp timbucto where i was able to go about a year before all the recent problems; remember being in a crowd of some thousands of locals being one of only five caucasians there; at worse we were ignored & at best treated very friendy; never felt threatened & i only saw one policeman the whole time who did not have a gun; it is inconievable what supposed religious muslims have done to that city that has so much muslim culture & history; some day the moderates have to overcome these fanatics who kill more of their own fellow muslims than they do the hated westerners; a very worthwhile read which i highly recomend

A rather depressing account of atrocities committed by Muslims against other Muslims, but at least it is out there on public record. Since the book's publication, the Arab Spring has turned into an Arab winter and the Islamic State is being established in Iraq, two events which will put a dent in the author's cautious optimism that Islam is heading in a moderate direction. Also, while not overly critical of Israel, compared to other Middle Eastern writers, the author accepts Hamas narrative vis a vis Israel and offers nary a criticism of the organisations stated lethal aims and of their mistreatment of of the population of Gaza by brainwashing and using the civilians as a human shield

This book is a compendium of vignettes of the struggle within the Moslem world against Islamism. They sample the globe from Mali to Afghanistan. The breadth and depth of this struggle is under recognized in the West. The author's intention is to correct this condition. The author, of Moslem heritage, is credible having a family that went through the butchery of Islamism in Algeria in 1990's and having professional experience with NGOs focused on human rights. What is astounding is the bravery of the unarmed members, particularly the women. They make up the many Moslem heritage organizations battling, in the face of extreme danger, with only words and civil disobedience, the atrocities of Islamism. Those who are hung up about US religious fundamentalism, civil rights and male chauvinism need to read this book to see what real extremism is all about.

The author gets her point across clearly in this doggedly-researched book: The words Muslim, Islamist, and fundamentalist are not interchangeable and most of the Muslim world abhors the ultra-right-wing zealots who interpret the Quran to suit their own terrorist agendas. It would be nice to believe that most people in the West "get" this, but many probably don't really believe it. Unfortunately, in order to validate her points she presents case after case of how Muslims throughout the Middle East are fighting back. This gets tedious after about half way through the book. Still, it's good reading and a message that has rarely been delivered in such convincing detail -- and needs to be.

Too often the media in America asks the question, "Where are the local people standing up to fundamentalist Islam?" Professor Bennoune answers this question with a resounding "Right in front of you!" This book, for the first time, collects the stories of those who use culture and education to fight terrorism in their communities. It offers a counter-narrative to the traditional anti-terror rhetoric which prefers drone strikes over community development. It also shows how those that Americans typically think of "victims" are actually on the front lines of this fight and are thriving. Additionally, Professor Bennoune provides historical background that shapes the individual stories and places them within the greater narrative of history. Well worth the read for anyone who is interested in the complex subject that is terrorism.

Some years ago, a caller from The New Republic asked why we had not renewed our subscription. In part, we replied, because reviewer Stanley Kauffmann during a one-year period had not seen one film that he liked. Or because every article sapped us of moral outrage, whether politics, or environmental destruction, or ....So too for this chronicle of feminist struggle against religious and cultural burgeoning oppression in predominantly Muslim countries. Yet an oveerarching structure escaped me amidst the drum beat of distress.A confession: I could not read more than half-way through. Perhaps this abandonment traces to depression over a moral terrorism in the United States that would deny health care and has cut food aid to the needy. How many professed Christians match Muslims in zagat, the injunction on charitable giving?What might have hooked me earlier? A break from the blizzard of acronyms for some historical perspective on "fatwas" amongst the different sects of Islam. So bleak.

This is an amazing, courageous book, written by someone with experience of how Islamic fundamentalists affect everyday life. In turn, it made me sad and angry. It is a sign of hope that people are prepared to resist the terrorism inflicted on their communities but their stories need to be more widely known and acknowledged, especially internationally. All too often, it seems they are ignored, even by well-known humanitarian organisations. This book gives resisters the credit they so richly deserve.

Should be mandantory reading, especially across the Western world. Brilliant.

This is such a beautiful read and a much needed narrative that is missing in Britain; the stories will give you a new perspective on Islamic fundamentalism.

I wish i can get this book for people like Abubakar Shekau, and his type using religion as an excuse to commit atrocities.

Whilst I cannot agree with everything Karima Bennoune writes about in this book, it certainly made me think. My husband is Algerian and he certainly wouldn't agree with everything in this book. Yet Algeria seems to have found a middle ground. Polygamy is accepted there though not common. Muslims and Christians live happily together. Some Muslims cover, some don't. Nothing is forced.I am a practising Muslim. I don't drink, I eat halal, I pray 5 times a day, I fast, I do all my pillars and hope one day to do my Haj God willing. However, if you ask me do I want Sharia law in my country, the answer would be no every time. That does not mean I am not Muslim, nor does it mean that I do not follow Allah.It does mean that I follow what is written in the Quran, not what men think that is required of us. Where in the Quran does it say stone someone for adultery? It doesn't, so I have to ask why not? So why would I want a law that would apply that?“There is no compulsion in religion. Verily, the Right Path has become distinct from the wrong path” [al-Baqrah 2:256]I believe Islam is clear. The Quran is clear. Yet I also believe along the way man has (once again) tried to change/add things for his own benefit. Not to the Quran no, but some hadeeth yes.I am not alone in this belief though many are afraid to speak out for fear of being told they are not true followers etc.I do not believe that any woman should be physically forced to cover her hair by a man. That should be her choice and hers alone.I do not believe there should be ' Mutaween' (religious police). If you are following rules because you have no choice that is not faith.I am sure with my next statement some Muslims will think I have no idea about Islam but I want to say why is it men are allowed to wear attar (perfume) going to mosque but women aren't? Surely women will look at the men just as men would look at the women?If other Muslims want to believe this that is fine by me, but don't force me to pretend I believe it.I love Islam, I love being a Muslim but no one can force Eeman (faith) on anyone.No one has a right to say who is or isn't Muslim just by the way they dress. Or if they listen to music or not.Islam gave women their rights back, don't let men take them away again.