Description

From references to animals in the Qu'ran to modern-day websites on Islamic vegetarianism, Richard C. Foltz presents the first comprehensive study of the role of animals in the Islamic tradition. Drawing on a wide range of sources, including classic mysticism, Foltz traces the development of Islamic attitudes towards animals over the centuries and confronts the key ethical questions facing Muslims today. Modern advances in science and technology and the increasing prevalence of techniques such as bioengineering and factory farming have forced many religions to reassess their traditional notions of animal rights and, as Foltz demonstrates, Muslims are increasingly asking their tradition to respond to such issues. Scholarly yet accessible, this is an original and informative contribution to Islamic studies, and will be essential reading for anyone, Muslim or non-Muslim, with an interest in the significance of religion and culture for the contemporary animal rights debate.

Genres

About the author(s)

Richard Foltz is Professor and Founding Director of the Centre for Iranian Studies at Concordia University in Montreal, Canada. A specialist in Iranian Studies, his research also focuses on the relationship between religion and nature, and on Muslim civilizations in general. He has lectured extensively in both America and the Middle East, and is the recipient of several scholarships and awards. His published books include Religions of the Silk Road (Macmillan, 2000) and Mughal India and Central Asia (Oxford University Press, 1998); he is also the author of numerous book chapters and journal articles, and has contributed to the Encyclopedia of Religion and Nature (Continuum, 2004).

Reviews

"Foltz's book encapulates, in a very brief and handy volume, most of the available information about animals in Islam."

"A thoroughly researched and comprehensive study on Islam and Animal Welfare."

"A thoroughly researched and comprehensive study on Islam and Animal Welfare."

Article "For Pet's Sake: A religious debate on whether there's an afterlife for animals" mentions the books and discusses some of Foltz views.

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