The Islamist by Ed Husain

Very well written book indeed. Ed has done a very good job in sticking to the plot, as he goes through his very interesting journey across the British Islamic scene, in an Islamic lite version. I must admit, so much focus on Islam in Britain has always been a mystery for a first generation immigrant like me coming from the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. His learning of Islamic values was largely done by different types of schools or rather organisations prevalent in the British culture which I enjoyed thoroughly as the narrative style was almost infantile, absolutely right for any non-Muslim audience as well as ignorant Pakistani Muslims like me.

There are inconsistencies though, as Ed has remained pretty divisive throughout the book, first against the West, than after his conversion to 'moderate' version of Islam towards Islamic countries. He has also quoted parallels citing prophetic events from the life of Prophet Mohammad. Trouble is that he has failed to answer why Islamic fundamentalism is still so powerful in the Islamic countries? I think clues are found when we consider prophetic events cited by extremist groups like the Taliban, who for instance, are drawing analogies for every action with the Prophetic Sunnah (life history) and his companions (Salaf). For example they claim cutting necks of their enemies as fair game as the companions did with swords

1400 years ago! So for me the central question is how to change the interpretation of Islam, especially in a Muslim majority culture because without changing these outdated interpretation there seems to be little hope of Muslim delivery.

Ed's opinion on the Syrian culture also seems far from true, as he considered almost all Syrians very fond of Asad, fondness which at least now seems pretty allusive with the Syrian revolution in full swing. Again Ed's conclusions are not very insightful as he chooses to portray a Syria which seems pretty far fetched at this moment but still very palatable in his lite style.

I would rate this book much better than Maajid Nawaz's attempt of self-glorification in his very similar book called Radical. Ed in contrast has done justice to his transition from radicalism to moderation, complimenting his wife and love as the chief reasons which is very believable.

Ed has all the making of a great scholar one day, as he continues on his academic and physical journeys through life, as long as he somehow gets rid of his divisive style first.