The Nearest in Affection

I fully agree with Stuart Brown that many conflicts between Christiansand Muslims occur because of misunderstandings due to both parties' ignoranceof each others' beliefs and, in some circumstances, the deliberate misrepresentationof both faiths by their members. I also fully agree that peoplehave to work hard within their community and use their abilities to resolve anyconflicts that arise in a very peaceful manner. However, many atrocities thathave been committed throughout the world should not be attributed to religionper se but to those who use religion and abuse the ignorance of their peopleabout religion for worldly gains.As regards this book, the first question that comes to my mind is, forwhom did Brown write this book? I fail to understand how the contents of thisbook can help Muslims or Christians understand each other in a better way.First of all, the book's language is not for the layman. Second, anyone whoreads this book must have an extensive knowledge of Islamic history in orderto grasp the author's points. This book was not written for persons with little orno knowledge of Islam (whether Muslim or Christian). In order for one tounderstand the concept of this book, one has to have knowledge of both religions.A large portion of the book has nothing to do with its title "The Nearestin Affection." Most importantly, I have never read a book that does not providereferences. I could not confirm many statements made by the author. In myopinion, this book will cause more confusion for non-Muslims than it will helpthem to understand Muslims.A few specific statements need to be clarified or corrected. For example,Bmwn explains that "Arabs held that it was Isma'il who lay on the altar." Thecorrect statement is that Muslims believe this, because there are many non ...