In WWII, many Americans took it upon themselves (as befits good citizens) to learn German and Japanese language, history and culture. The people who did this were not castigated as unpatriotic by their neighbors, but viewed as making a valid contribution to the war effort.
I concur completely. However, recent experience tells us that most popularly accessible facts about Islam are selective, misleading and constitute mostly propaganda.
Back then people understood that when we go to war with a foreign people, it behooves us to know a little bit about whom we're fighting.
Again I agree. An objective realist view is what will accomplish the objective.
More of what we have been hearing and reading (even at the presidential level) is next to useless; indeed, worse than useless.
I do not pretend to be an expert on Islam. The dozen or so books I have read since the 60s have helped, however.
I will plead ignorance, but I will not allow total ignorance.
For instance... how many of these "illuminating" courses will mention the fact that when the Turkish (Muslim) empire was bolstered by Germany (with German Officers) during World War I, and they fielded a 1.3-million man army to fight the allies, the entire Arab portion of that army deserted (400,000) en masse?
No, not because they sympathized with the allies, LOL.
For a fascinating view of Islam, uncolored by the events of the last two centuries, and the distortion introduced by oil, I suggest a thorough reading of The first edition of the Encyclopedia Brittanica, 1771.
Just look under Mahomet and Islam...
From the course description:
This broad-ranging course explores the rich and complex history of Islam from the birth of the religion to the present day.
What do you think?