A number of Muslim countries have stepped up plans for revising school textbooks as part of the continuing U.S. driven campaign to combat terrorism. Critics maintain that the efforts are superficial and that the books continue to portray dangerous stereotypes and promote extremist views. Some books for religious and social sciences classes in use…

The Iraq war has generated interest combined with apprehension in young minds as to the nature of "the other", in this case Islam and its followers. Attempts by the U.S. Government to allay negative impressions by means of information through specialized web portals are highlighted.

Comments on F. M. Moghaddam's article (see record 2005-01817-002) which uses the metaphor of a narrowing staircase "to provide a more in-depth understanding of terrorism." In the article, "staircase to terrorism," a person will become a terrorist because he or she experiences "injustice and the feelings of frustration and shame" on "the ground…

The recent ban of "conspicuous" religious symbols in French state schools has received international attention, especially the uncertainty of whether Muslims will comply with the ban. The issue, however, raises a number of philosophical dilemmas regarding toleration in a liberal democracy, the notion of a "neutral" public space…

This collection of Fulbright seminar projects focuses on Morocco and Tunisia. The first project (Ruth Brent) gives a descriptive analysis of images from the perspective of an interior design educator. The second project (Eileen Burchell) explores the theme of continuity and change as it is reflected in the contemporary French literature of the…

A discussion of the history, educational philosophy and teaching methods of Quranic schools is divided into two sections. The first section discusses the historical development of such schools beginning in 650 A.D. with their strong emphasis on verbatim mastery of text, self-paced learning, and literacy skills. The second section provides a case…

Described are the efforts being made in Arab countries, primarily in Egypt, to stimulate scientific and technological development. (SL)

Defines the topic of Sino-Islamic linguistics, that is, the study of the Arabic and Persian norms of Chinese-speaking Muslims. The diffusion of Arabic and Persian to China, language contact and interference, and dialectology and functional variations of Chinese Arabic and Persian are among the topics covered. (CLK)

This book is a brief guide to understanding Islam, intended to help individuals better understand Islamic culture, Muslims, and the Holy Quran. It consists of the following three chapters: (1) Some Evidence for the Truth of Islam; (2) Some Benefits of Islam; and (3) General Information on Islam. The book is extensively illustrated with photographs…

This paper tells the story of its authors' living and teaching experiences in Afghanistan from 1967 to 1969. The paper explains that "Don" taught at Kabul University, "Alleen" taught at the American International School of Kabul, and their three young children were in elementary school. It describes their day-to-day activities…

Islam insures that actions and decisions concerning the environment are related to commonly accepted values. If traditional Islamic values are to be reasserted in the process of developing the built environment, then educational efforts must be directed at the professionals, the politicians, and the public. (Author/WB)

Discusses some of the difficulties that arise when an Arabic-English translator is required to find cultural equivalents for words or concepts that do not exist in one of the languages. Examples are given in the areas of ecology, material culture, social culture, political culture, and religious culture. (EKN)

Provides a curriculum design to take advantage of the high levels of motivation generated by contemporary events in Iran and the Middle East. (Author/IRT)

Discusses the career and publications of Bernard Lewis, a noted scholar in the field of Middle-Eastern studies and Islamic history. Traces the history of Western-based Islamic historiography. Examines Lewis' interpretation of Islamic history, outlining his political and social views. (RW)

Discusses modern trends of Islamic educational thought in the Arab world. Identifies educational trends during the renaissance period, 1850 to 1914. Argues that the Islamic trend in education dominated the cultural activity of that period and that the "Islam resurgent" of the 1970s is really a continuation of earlier discourse. (KO)