Inside Islam

There have been numerous programs about Islam released since September 11, 2001: some very good (PBS's Islam: Empire of Faith [VL-11/01]), some dragged out of deep storage and hastily reissued (The Story of Islam [VL-9/02]), and some biased (Jihad al-Asghar [VL-11/02]). As an introduction to Islam, Inside Islam covers much of the same ground as previous releases--Muhammad's revelation, the Five Pillars of belief, the spread of the faith throughout the world, etc.--but it also actually gets into the heart of the religion, as well as the individual's relationship with Allah. There are, however, a few double-standards sprinkled throughout the narrative: the expansion of the Ottoman Empire is portrayed as a harmless historical event with apparently no impact on Eastern Europe, while Napoleon's Egyptian campaign is seen in a far more aggressive light (“no veil could protect Islam from the West”). In addition, the program suggests that the preponderance of totalitarian over democratic rule in modern Islamic nations can be traced to the influence of colonialist powers 60 years ago--but no one attempts to explain why many Muslim leaders have ignored basic civil and human rights in the past six decades. Still, there is much to appreciate in this overview featuring noted Muslim writers, scholars, and theologians, which reminds us that “Muslims are at a crossroad,” while also asking "how will they define their faith inside the modern world?” Indeed, that is the question the whole world ponders. Recommended. Aud: H, C, P. (R. Reagan)