A clear and complete introduction to the world of Islam: the history, beliefs, practices and laws of this ancient religion, with particular focus on the contemporary Muslim world, and on Islam in Australia.

Muslims in Australia investigates the basis of Australian society's fear of Muslims by tracing their history since the Afghan settlement in 1860. The author investigates how events such as September 11 and Bali terrorist attacks reinforce suspicion and fear, giving an insight into what it means to be a Muslim in contemporary Australia, and how the actions of militant Islamic groups have impacted upon Muslims in general in Western society.

Muslim people in Australia come from over seventy countries and represent a wide variety of cultural backgrounds and experiences. Yet we are constantly bombarded by media stories feeding one negative stereotype. What is it really like to grow up Muslim in Australia? In this book, famous and not-so-famous Muslim-Australians tell their stories in their own voices. The beard, the hijab, the migrant - these are all familiar images associated with Muslim people. But delve deeper and there are many other stories: the young female boxer entering the ring for her first professional bout; a ten-year-old boy who renounces religion; a young woman struggling to reconcile her sexual identity with her faith. These honest and heartfelt stories will resonate with all readers, providing different snapshots of Muslim life in Australia, dispelling myths and stereotypes, and above all celebrating diversity, achievement, courage and determination. With stories by Randa Abdel-Fattah, Arwa Abousamra, Michael Mohammed Ahmad, Tanveer Ahmed, Ali Alizadeh, Amal Awad, Tasneem Chopra, Hazem El Masri, Bianca Elmir, Sabrina Houssami-Richardson, Alyena Mohummadally and Irfan Yusuf. 'The kind of book that will change how readers look at the world. Coloured with many shades of humour, warmth, sadness, anger, determination and honesty, it will resonate with readers from all backgrounds and beliefs.' Bookseller+Publisher 'It's hard to imagine a more varied group of young people, united only by the fact that they come from diverse Muslim backgrounds. Story after story explodes the stereotypes...' The Age '[W]hat is particularly striking is the diversity of backgrounds among the contributions. Perhaps it is not really surprising, given that Australian Muslims come from 70 different countries.' Thuy On, The Sydney Morning Herald

The story of Islam and the Muslim people is an integral part of Australian history. This book covers the period from post-World War II until the 1980s when the history of Islam in Australia unfolded into a rich multi-ethnicity, manifested by diverse Muslim ethnic groups. Muslim migrants found Islam in Australia more pluralistic than they found possible in their homeland, because in Australia they met fellow Muslims from many different ethnic, racial, cultural, sectarian and linguistic backgrounds. Muslims are an integral part of Australia's social fabric and multicultural way of life, shaping their Muslimness in an Australian context and their Australianness from Muslim viewpoints and experiences. Documenting socio-historical characteristics rather than providing a theological interpretation, Muslims Making Australia Home covers interrelated Islamic themes in the sociology of religion by noting how these themes reappear in cultural history. The book reveals many unknown or little-known historical facts, stories and valuable memories

"Few issues have captured media headlines over the past two decades like Islam and Muslims, and much of what the Australian public knows about Islam and its followers is gleaned from the mass media. Islam and the Australian News Media tackles head-on the Australian news media's treatment of Islam and Muslims. This incisive collection brings together the research and insights of academics, editors and journalists on the representation of Islam and its impact on social relations, the newsworthiness of Muslim issues and the complexities of covering Islam. Importantly, Islam and the Australian News Media also explores how Muslim communities in Australia are responding to their image in the Australian news media. This book is a must-read for all those interested in the relationship between media and society."--Publisher description.

From the Malay pearl divers of Broome to the Afghan camel drivers of the interior, Muslims have lived and worked in Australia for more than three centuries. This comprehensive account reveals the life stories of the Muslim pioneers and their descendants as they formed bonds with the indigenous people of Australia. Interviews with more than 50 contemporary Indigenous Muslims convey the spiritual journeys and personal perspectives of this incredible population.