Qur'an in Conversation is a remarkable, well-written journey of interfaith sharing.
~Laleh Bakhtiar, Ph.D.
In Qur'an in Conversation, Michael Birkel introduces us to a well-chosen diversity of interpreters of the Qur'an. Birkel's volume presents Muslim teachers in their own words, with enough commentary to satisfy scholarly questions, but in a form that is accessible to beginners. I highly recommend this book to all who want to know how Muslims in North America are thinking about the Qur'an in this time and place.
~Rev. Dr. Jay T. Rock, Former Director of Interfaith Relations at the National Council of Churches and Coordinator of Interfaith Relations for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
A critically important contribution to academic library Islamic Studies, reference collections, and supplemental studies lists...
~James A. Cox, The Midwest Book Review
Though many of the writers are scholars, the text is accessible and at times remarkable for its heartfelt candor. Birkel’s book comes at a fine time, when serious critical study of the Qur’an is gaining momentum in the Western religion academy—it is groundbreaking.
~Publishers Weekly
The Qur’an is more than merely the holy book of Muslims. It is a book read, debated, memorized, critiqued, emulated, internalized, and expounded upon by various Muslims. Here for the first time we have the Qur’an being read by a wide range of contemporary American Muslim leaders and intellectuals. It provides us with a rich opportunity to see the Qur’an become an American's scripture.
~Omid Safi, Professor of Islamic Studies, University of North Carolina
Qur’an in Conversation presents an outstanding collection of interviews giving voice to a wide range of diverse contemporary North American Muslim individuals as they speak—often with great passion, warmth, and conviction—about passages from their sacred text that hold special meaning for each of them. The book is both accessible and engaging to a wide audience, and will hopefully open a channel of communication between contemporary Muslims and non-Muslims that is desperately needed.
~Frederick S. Colby, Associate Professor of Religious Studies, University of Oregon, and Co-Chair, Study of Islam Section of the American Academy of Religion
A unique contribution to the growing area of works accessible to learned nonspecialists of the Qur’an.
~Lauren E. Osborne, The Journal of Religion
Birkel’s work is distinctive and easy to read, and will aid the curious learner who is suspicious of Islam to hear and listen to what Muslim scholars have to say about how the Qur’an should be discerned and interpreted in contemporary society. It provides both Muslims and non-Muslims with an opportunity and encouragement to respectfully engage each other on a personal, religious and academic level to an extent that has not been achieved before.
~Blake Campbell, Islam and Christian-Muslim Relations
This fine book encourages non-specialists and Muslim scholars alike to imagine how the Qur'an will be interpreted among North American Muslims in years to come.
~Bible Review Journal
