How can Islam be understood in the context of internal struggles for unity and identity, a rise in anti-Muslim hate crime and continued media portrayals of violence, extremism, warfare and oppression? Looking at Islam as a faith, a whole system with political dimensions and through the lens of Western media, this book sets out to clarify the nature of true Islam and the true nature of Islam.

With diverse contributions from Muslims, Christians and individuals with no religious affiliations, this collection of essays respond to the King of Jordan's Amman Message - an initiative seeking to clarify Islam as a religion of peace - in light of recent international events such as the Charlie Hebdo controversy. Presenting fresh perspectives on a frequently misrepresented religion, this book offers a platform for debate about Islam's place within Western culture and political systems, and the role that faith communities can play in seeking peace and reconciliation.

Acknowledgements. Foreword by HRH Charles, Prince of Wales. Foreword by HRH Prince Hussein bin Abdullah. Timeline. Introduction. 1. The History of the Amman Message and the Promotion of the Amman Message Project. Sarah Markiewicz, Research and Teaching Associate, Department of Religious Studies and Intercultural Theology, Humboldt University, Berlin, Germany. 2. Taking the Amman Message to European Audiences: A Message for Muslims and Non-Muslims Alike. Mike Hardy, CMG OBE FRSA, Founding and Executive Director, Centre for Trust Peace and Social Relations, Coventry University, UK. 3. Islam in Europe and the Amman Message: Overview Challenges and Potentials. Rebecca Catto. Assistant Professor of Sociology, Kent State University, Ohio, USA. 4. Islam in the United Kingdom and the Impact of the Amman Message. Fiyaz Mughal, OBE FCMI, Founder and Director, Faith Matters, UK. 5. Young British Muslims: Online Extremism and the Message of Islam. Imran Awan, Associate Professor in Criminology, Birmingham City University, UK. 6. The Amman Message: An Early Confrontation with Extremist Islamic Movements. Jamal Al-Shalabi. Professor of Political Science, Department of International Relations and Strategic Studies, Hashemite University of Jordan, Jordan, 7. The Amman Message: A Counter Narrative to Islamic Fundamentalism. Moh'd Khair Eiedat, Professor for Political Science, Al-Hussain Bin Abdullah II Faculty for International Studies and Political Science, and Director of the Al-Farabi Centre for Culture, Ethics and Politics, University of Jordan, Jordan. 8. The Amman Message as an Invitation to Interfaith Dialogue: A Christian Response. Christine Seeberg, Research and Teaching Associate, Department of Systematic Theology and Dogmatics, Theological Faculty, Humboldt University, Berlin, Germany. 9. Charlie Hebdo and the Amman Message: A Counter Narrative to Violent Fundamentalism? Steve Rose, Freelance Writer and Journalist, UK.& Faith Matters. 10. The Amman Message 'Other': Repositioning Identity Politics for Dialogue and Justice. Kristin Shamas, Hamra Post-Doctoral Research Fellow, Department of History, University of Oklahoma, USA. 11. Looking Forward: An Impossible Road? Mike Hardy, Fiyaz Mughal and Sarah Markiewicz. Appendix I: The Amman Message (2004). Appendix II: The Three Points of the Amman Message (2005) [Official Version]. Further Reading. The Contributors.