JAMMO ISSN 2146-3328

The second part of the “Islam and Life - Islamic Art Inspiring Western Art, Artists” an interview between two Islamic scholars published as audio visuals by the Press TV, warrants transcription here and re-focussing with respect to the continuing debate on the relationship between Islam’s monotheistic credence and its pluralistic settings because the interview’s position on the particularities of the Western Muslims makes the distinctive point that Islam is not an Eastern or “Middle Eastern” religion, but a universal one that absorbs the characteristics of whichever locale its adherents flourish in.

As a counter-weight to the overt demonization of Islam by the Western media hegemony’s futile attempt at redefining and subsuming the Islamic way of life negatively within the narrative of terror, radicalisation and a global cultural clash of civilisations; the interview presents a positive appraisal of the contributions Islam is making to Western culture and civilisation. Professor Ramadan of the Oxford University and Professor Bleher do not indulge the Western corporate media extremist reportage in which Islam is presented in tandem with every major conflict the West is involved with, in any way whatsoever. (https://www.google.com.tr/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=Islam+in+major+news+outlets+2014+-+2015) Rather, the interview engages serious and uncomfortable issues such as the multiple and sometimes fragmented identities of Muslims in the West and the role of Islam in the lives of Muslims and non-Muslims.

I have insisted on providing further bibliographies for both the interviewer and the interviewee to avail readers the opportunity to evaluate the depth of the discussion and discussants beyond the confines of the broadcast interview and this edited transcript.

I am in gratitude to both scholars and to the Press TV for undertaking the Islam and Life series to promote Peace and Understanding and for making the interview available for public use.