When ‘Radical Islam’ Met American Evangelism: A surprisingly hopeful story of pluralism
Salafism, a movement in modern Sunni Islam, is often pejoratively labeled as part of “Islamic fundamentalism” or “Radical Islam.” In his book, Scripture People: Salafi Muslims in Evangelical Christians’ America, ICJS Protestant Scholar Matthew D. Taylor explores the experiences of the Salafi community in America after 9/11 through a comparison with American Evangelicals. He finds striking similarities in how they approach their respective scriptures, the Qur’an/Hadith for Salafis and the Bible for Evangelicals. In conversation with ICJS Muslim Scholar Zeyneb Sayilgan, Matt will recount his own history growing up Evangelical and working as a campus minister before finding a kind of kindred spirit in the Salafi Muslims he meets, ultimately making Islam the focus of his doctoral studies. He will share his insights on this growing and morphing American Salafi movement.
Matthew D. Taylor – Book talk
