In this respect, Muslims are categorized at least into two groups, rejectionist and acceptancist. Unfortunately, the rejectionist group consider their belief and understandings as the true ones, as if it were what God had willed. However, no one can ensure that such an exclusive interpretation is accepted by God, as the explanation of the holy texts by the rejectionists are often partial and do not wholly represent the scripture on each matter. Through such processes the gap between Islam and the West grows wider.

On that ground, it is important to undertake efforts in the direction of a thematic interpretation of the Qur’an in order to narrow and, even, eliminate the aforementioned gap between the West and Islam by meeting the challenge of the contemporary age through showing that thoughts which are progressive, rational, ethical and human are compatible with the Qur’an.

The 17 booklets of this series are written by scholars of the State Islamic University Jakarta (UIN) in Indonesian language and cover the following topics:

• Non-Muslims Rights in the Perspective of the Qur’an and the Hadiths

• Qur’an-Hadiths and Democracy

• Islamic Fundamentalism and Jihad

• Islamic Pluralism and Inclusiveness in Indonesia

• Is Islam a Religion for Women?

• Academic Freedom in Islamic Tradition

• Bank Interest Equals Excessive Interest

• Science in Conceptual and Actual Islam

• Western Law is also Islam

• Terrorism Dressed as Religion

• Insurance in the Perspective of the Qur’an and the Hadiths

• Birth Control: an Islamic Polemic

• Euthanasia in Islamic Perspective

• Narcotics and Drugs: the Problem and its Solution in Islamic Perspective

• Inter-Religious Marriage according to the Qur’an and Sunnah

• Cloning and Invitro Fertilization

• Human Rights in the Perspective of the Qur’an and the Hadiths

Copies can be ordered at the KAS Indonesia office