Islam in Europe

This vigorously argued book reveals the central role that Islam has played in European history. Following the movement of people, culture and religion from East to West, Goody breaks down the perceived opposition between Islam and Europe, showing Islam to be a part of Europe's past and present. In an historical analysis of religious warfare and forced migration, Goody examines our understanding of legitimate violence, ethnic cleansing and terrorism. His comparative perspective offers important and illuminating insights into current political problems and conflicts. Goody traces three routes of Islam into Europe, following the Arab through North Africa, Spain and Mediterranean Europe; the Turk through Greece and the Balkans; and the Mongol through Southern Russia to Poland and Lithuania. Each thrust made its mark on Europe in terms of population and culture. Yet this was not merely a military impact: especially in Spain, but elsewhere too, Europe was substantially modified by this contact. Today it takes the form of some eleven million immigrants, not to speak of the possible incorporation of further millions through Bosnia, Albania and Turkey.

This vigorously argued book reveals the central role that Islam hasplayed in European history. Following the movement of peopleculture and religion from East to West, Goody breaks down theperceived opposition between Islam and Europe, showing Islam to bea part of Europe's past and present. In an historical analysis ofreligious warfare and forced migration, Goody examines ourunderstanding of legitimate violence, ethnic cleansing andterrorism. His comparative perspective offers important andilluminating insights into current political problems andconflicts.Goody traces three routes of Islam into Europe, following theArab through North Africa, Spain and Mediterranean Europe; the Turkthrough Greece and the Balkans; and the Mongol through SouthernRussia to Poland and Lithuania. Each thrust made its mark on Europein terms of population and culture. Yet this was not merely amilitary impact: especially in Spain, but elsewhere too, Europe wassubstantially modified by this contact. Today it takes the form ofsome eleven million immigrants, not to speak of the possibleincorporation of further millions through Bosnia, Albania andTurkey.

Preface.Introduction.1 Past Encounters.2 Bitter Icons and Ethnic Cleansing.3 Islam and Terrorism.4. The Taliban, the Bamiyan and Us -- the Islamic Other.Notes.References and Bibliography.Index.