Voices of Modern Islam: What It Means to Be Muslim Today

by Declan Henry

Raising awareness of what Islam is, as well as deepening understanding about the lived realities of Muslim people, this book explores the contemporary Muslim experience through first-hand interviews with over a hundred Muslims.


Exploring key issues such as women and Islam, extremism and radicalisation, Sharia Law, homosexuality and Islamophobia, the book looks deep into what it means to be Muslim today. The 'voices' of Muslims are showcased throughout the book to highlight the diversity and evolution of Islam, and to show its inherent complexities and contradictions. This is an easy and accessible introduction to Islam combined with discussion surrounding several contentious issues associated with the religion.

Kindle Edition

Published June 21, 2018

Reviews

[Penny]

In a world where Islam is so frequently discussed but so rarely truly heard, Voices of Modern Islam arrives as something genuinely essential. Declan Henry has done something remarkable here, he has stepped back and simply let Muslims speak for themselves, and the result is a portrait of a faith and a community that is far more nuanced, diverse, and deeply human than most mainstream narratives ever allow.
What struck me most was the sheer range of voices included. Over a hundred interviews means you encounter Islam not as a monolith but as a living, breathing, internally complex tradition full of disagreement, evolution, and deeply personal interpretation. The sections on women, radicalisation, and Islamophobia are handled with particular care, unflinching but never sensationalist.
Henry asks hard questions without flinching but always with genuine respect for the people answering them. That balance is incredibly difficult to strike and he does it beautifully throughout.
This is not a book that tells you what to think about Islam. It is a book that introduces you to the people living it, and trusts you to think for yourself.
Thoughtful, accessible, and long overdue. Essential reading for our times.

[Kerry]

An important book, all the more interesting because it was written by a practicing Catholic. Many different opinions from British muslims from different backgrounds - I also learned much about Islamic faith and the lives of those that practice their faith and live in a western country (the people interviewed in the book are British)

[Heather Dinwoodie]

I went into this book knowing very little about Islam, and I must say that it's really opened my eyes. I really love the way it's written as a compilation of inputs from different people, it feels like you're learning alongside the author rather than reading a textbook. It also provides a more nuanced, thoughtful perspective rather than claiming to have all the answers.