SUBHODEEP MUKHOPADHYAY
Research & Consultancy
About the Book
Om and Crescent: The Battle for Peaceful Coexistence explains Islam from a Hindu perspective. This book sheds light on the similarities and differences between these two faiths in a way Hindus can understand.
Read this book if you want to:
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Understand Islam from the standpoint of Advaita Vedanta.
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Compare and contrast religious concepts, such as Ishvara-Allah, Dharma Yuddha-Jihad, Avatar-Masiha, and many more.
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Intellectually empower yourself on interfaith dialogue based on Dharma.
The book is divided into five parts:
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The first part talks about dharma and monotheism.
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The second part provides an overview of key Islamic ideas.
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The third part delves into specialized concepts like jihad and kufr.
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Part four is a survey of Islamic societies.
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Part five presents Pakistan and Bangladesh as case studies.
The book concludes by providing practical solutions for how Hindus and Muslims should engage with each other.
This book is an essential read for social scientists, policymakers, and scholars interested in the past, present, and future of Hindu-Muslim relations.
Why should Hindus read this book?
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Why do Muslims offer namaz on the road while mosques remain empty?
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Why has the Hindu population declined in Islamic states like Pakistan and Bangladesh while Muslim population in India continues to grow?
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Why did every Muslim ruler in India without exception persecute Jains, Buddhists and Hindus?
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What is love jihad? Is it fiction as some claim? Or deadly reality?
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How is it that terrorists and moderates quote the exact same Quranic verses to justify violence and non-violence respectively?
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Does Islam mean peace?
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Why do Sunnis consider Shias kafirs and persecute them?
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What do terms like deobandi, barelvi, salafi, wahhabi and taliban mean?
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What is a fatwa? What do the terms halal and haram mean?
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Is halal finance a big scam and should India impose a ban on it?
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Does camel urine have magical powers as claimed by many scholars of Islam?
This book answers all such questions and much more.
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I have an immense respect for the Muslim community: they are clear about who they are, what they represent and what they want. There is nothing wishy-washy about their intent, unlike many Hindus and secularists, who are always confused about their identity and look for commonalities in religions where none exists.
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I have explained Islam specifically for Hindus using what I call the 3D model: dharma, data and difference. Wherever I have alluded to Hindu concepts I have used an Advaita Vedanta approach. The book is extensively researched with numerous bibliographic references: books, journals, reports, news sources, videos and social media posts. I have taken care to provide citations for all my claims.
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I am positive that Hindus will find this book an invaluable resource to understand and engage with Islam. The book cuts through all the confusion surrounding religions, peace, God vs gods, Ishvara vs Allah, Ganga-jamuni tehzeeb, national integration, good-Muslim vs bad-Muslim and presents a clear no-nonsense picture of Islam for followers of dharma.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Confessions of an Astika-Atheist
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PART 1: INTRODUCTION
CHAPTER 1: Setting the Stage
Religion of Peace
Conundrum of Ultimate Essence
America or Ghazni?
Terrorism versus Tabla
Etymologically Speaking
CHAPTER 2: Religion, that is Monotheism
God with a Capital ‘G’
Azaan
Historical Revelations
Mosques and Mandirs
Temples for All?
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PART 2: FOUNDATIONAL ASPECTS OF ISLAM
CHAPTER 3: Bird’s-eye View
Introduction
Sects, Schools, and Movements
Five Pillars
Six Beliefs
CHAPTER 4: Prophets and Angels
Prophet Mohammed.
Other Prophets
Avatar and Rishis
Angels
CHAPTER 5: Islamic Cosmology
Universe
Cosmos
Humans
End of Times
CHAPTER 6: Shariah: Way of Life
Beyond Nationhood
Marriage Laws
Crime and Punishment
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PART 3: ISLAM, SANATAN DHARMA AND INDIA
CHAPTER 7: Ishvara is not equal to Allah
The Islamic idea of Oneness
Who is Ishvara?
CHAPTER 8: Non-Believers.
Kafir
Dhimmi
Mushrik
CHAPTER 9: Jihad: Theory and Practice
Cricket
Theory: What it is not
Jihad As It Is
CHAPTER 10: How Bharat Became Hindustan
Bharat.
Clash of Civilizations
Thousand Year Discord
CHAPTER 11: Jihad and Dharma.
Mumin
Mujahid
Ghazi
Shahid
Dharma Yuddha is not the Same as Jihad
CHAPTER 12: Halal and Haram
Understanding the Framework
Fatwas
Halal Economy
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PART 4: ISLAMIC SOCIETY
CHAPTER 13: Economy
General Survey
Ghettos
India: Largesse, Appeasement and “Suffering”
CHAPTER 14: Islamic Science
Science and Magic
The Role of Madrassas
CHAPTER 15: Education
Literature Review
Mini Case Studies
CHAPTER 16: Gender: Introduction
Worth Half a Man
Polygamy
What the Right Hand Possesses
Violence
Fatwas and their Impact
CHAPTER 17: Gender Challenges
Afghanistan
Bangladesh and Pakistan
Middle-east and North Africa
CHAPTER 18: Sexuality
Exploring the Gap
When Deviant Becomes the Norm
Homosexuality.
CHAPTER 19: Love Jihad: Fact or Fiction?
Unlikely Allies
Media and Academia Coverups
Grooming: An International Issue
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PART 5: CASE STUDIES: PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER
CHAPTER 20: Pakistan
Brief History of a Failed State
Wahhabization
Intersectional Violence
Minorities: In the Crosshairs
Disappearing Devalayas
Prognosis
CHAPTER 21: Bangladesh
Dharma under Siege
The Role of Sufis
Bangladesh Liberation War
Pluralism: Where art Thou?
Sectarianism: An Ongoing Saga
CHAPTER 22: India
Terror Attacks
Mob Violence and Riots
Conclusion
Roundup
How Hindus Need to Engage with Islam
How the Indian State Needs to Engage with Islam
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Bibliography
Books
Journals
Reports
Religious Texts
Videos and Social Media Posts
Media Sources
Acknowledgments