Copyright © 2010 Queensland Muslim Times. All Rights Reserved.
This book is the culmination of his thoughts over 15 years of studying, researching,
and teaching in the field of Islamic studies. Following his undergraduate degree
in sociology and Islamic studies, which he completed at the International Islamic
University Malaysia, Dr Rane returned to Australia to complete a Master’s degree
in media studies. Upon completion of this degree, in early 2001, he designed began
teaching a course on Islam that dealt with the range of contentious issues concerning
the religion and its adherents in the context of the modern world that he named ‘Islam
and Contemporary Civilisation’. While working for several years for the Federal Government
Dr Rane continued to teach Islamic Studies at Bond University and University of Queensland.
In 2008 he completed his PhD in international relations and accepted a full-
Dr Rane is a member of the well-
Islam and Contemporary Civilisation was written so that Western readers, of all faiths
and no faith, can gain a better understanding of Islam in the context of modernity
as it pertains to the most contentious issues with which Islam and Muslims have been
associated for the past few decades. The debates and dilemmas addressed in this book
were selected on the basis of their extensive media, public and scholarly attention;
their impact on how Islam and Muslims are perceived in the West; their need for re-
The book provides a concise but comprehensive introduction to the Islamic religion
and modern developments in Muslim thought, and tackles questions of Islamic law,
human rights, democracy, mass media, jihad, and the Israel-
Islam and Contemporary Civilisation has received extensive praise from commentators,
academics and experts, both Muslims and non-
Where the Islamic world is concerned, ignorance is definitely not bliss ...fear borne
out of that ignorance and an abysmal lack of knowledge are probably the greatest
deterrents to a tolerant co-
Professor John Esposito, Director of the Al-
Understanding at Georgetown University in Washington DC says that ‘Rane provides a thoughtful and insightful perspective beneficial to policymakers, experts, the media and students of international relations who struggle to understand and address tensions and conflicts within Islam and between Islam and the West’. Concurring with this assessment, Mohammad Hashim Kamali, professor of shariah law and Chairman of the International Institute of Advanced Islamic Studies Malaysia, expresses that ‘Halim Rane provides a lucid account of Islam’s interfaces with Western civilisation. He skillfully connects the past with the present and provides critical analysis of some of the most problematic issues the two civilisations have experienced in their relationship in recent times’.
Adding to the praise, Professor Michael Wesley, Executive Director of the Lowy Institute for
International Policy in Sydney states that:
‘...this is an incredibly important book. It addresses the central misconceptions and disagreements between Muslims and Westerners in lucid, accessible language, and from both Islamic and Western perspectives ...This book should be read by all who have an interest in our contemporary world and its future.’
Islam and Contemporary Civilisation can be purchased from bookstores or directly from the publisher, Melbourne University Press. Further details about Dr Halim Rane can be obtained from his website www.halimrane.com.
Home-
Shot Twice but Still Motivated
With so much negativity associated with Islam and the Muslim community over the past
decade, it is refreshing to hear a story as positive as that of Dr Halim Rane. In
stark contrast to all the controversy about home-
Dr Halim Rane
