Islam for Nerds

by Gerald Drißner

Islamic history and anecdotes are part of everyday conversation in the Arab world. This book provides a fascinating journey into one of the biggest and probably most misinterpreted religions via anecdotes and facts about Islam and its history, the Qur'an, the prophet Muhammad and his traditions, the Do's and Don'ts for Muslims, and how Islam spread around the world, summarised in 500 ques­tions and answers, which the author has derived from his own experiences.

The author has lived in North Africa and the Middle East for ten years and immersed himself in Islamic culture and society. He gradually learned the things kids in the Arab world already know, but most people in other parts of the world never heard of, by talk­ing to his neighbours, teachers, scholars and ordinary people in the street.

This book explains Islam in its complexity. The author also addresses current topics: Islam in the West, women's issues and Jihād. It can be read without knowing Arabic. However, the author provides the fully vocalised Arabic source in addition to the English translation, which may be beneficial for Arabic speaking readers.

1070 pages, ebook

Published September 26, 2017

About the author

Gerald Drißner (Drissner), born 1977 in a mountain village in Austria, is an economist and award-winning journalist. He has been living in the Middle East and North Africa for ten years, where he has intensively studied Arabic.