Lexington Books Courting Islam: US-British Engagement with Islam since the European Colonial Period

This book is an exploration of the perceptions of the American and British governments about Islam and Muslims based upon their experiences over the past two centuries. It provides a response to the accusation that US and British governments are inherently anti-Islamic and are seeking the destruction of that faith through their policy decisions. The book uses primary documents from the US and British governments to examine the attitudes of politicians and officials in a variety contexts ranging from the 'War on Terror', the Iranian Revolution and the 'Trojan Horse' Scandal to the conversion of Alexander Russell Webb to Islam, Islamic Finance and Mosque-building. In so doing it provides a wide-angle lens on the diversity of issues and experiences which have shaped the views of officials and politicians about Islam. Review In his important new book, Sean Oliver-Dee identifies a fresh and much-needed angle on the relationship between Islam and the West. While most studies engage at the community level, especially by considering Muslim community views, Dr Oliver-Dee focuses on the perspectives on Islam of Western officialdom, with particular reference to the governments of the United States and the United Kingdom. Through a consideration of historical factors and international relations theory with respect to a set of themes, the author offers us a study that fills a considerable gap and speaks into today's Islam/West relations in crucially important ways.--Peter G. Riddell, Professorial Research Associate, History, SOAS University of LondonThis fascinating book is both well-researched and highly topical. It skilfully explores how the assumptions of British and American policy-makers have developed, as their experience of Islam increased over a long period.--Roger Trigg, Ian Ramsey Centre, University of Oxford About the Author Sean Oliver-Dee is research associate at the Oxford Centre for Religion and Culture, Regents Park College, University of Oxford.