Reopening Muslim Minds

A Return to Reason, Freedom, and Tolerance

By: Mustafa Akyol

Narrated by: Neil Shah

In this book, Mustafa Akyol, senior fellow at the Cato Institute and opinion writer for The New York Times, both diagnoses “the crisis of Islam” in the modern world and offers a way forward. Diving deep into Islamic theology, and also sharing lessons from his own life story, he reveals how Muslims lost the universalism that made them a great civilization in their earlier centuries. He especially demonstrates how values often associated with Western Enlightenment - freedom, reason, tolerance, and an appreciation of science - had Islamic counterparts, which sadly were cast aside in favor of more dogmatic views, often for political ends.

Elucidating complex ideas with engaging prose and storytelling, Reopening Muslim Minds borrows lost visions from medieval Muslim thinkers, such as Ibn Rushd (aka Averroes), to offer a new Muslim worldview on a range of sensitive issues, including human rights, equality for women, and freedom of religion, or freedom from religion. While frankly acknowledging the problems in the world of Islam today, Akyol offers a clear and hopeful vision for its future.

©2021 Mustafa Akyol (P)2021 Dreamscape Media, LLC

like a light at the end of the Islamic tunnel

never have I come across such a compelling case for pragmatism and liberal values in the practice of islam. calling on previously unknown aspects of history, akyol successfully illustrates the manner in which literalist and conservative practices of Islam have come to dominate the social-- and more importantly-- geopolitical landscape of islam. if you are a person who is hopeful about the future of Islam and it's potential to thrive under enlightenment values, you will henceforth be equipped with some very good arguments that Islam at its very core really is a tolerant, peaceful, and rational faith. ultimately, the consolidation of power in various Islamic regimes was responsible for the disarray that we see today. understanding "the why" is the beginning of what one can only hope will be a new era of enlightened Islam.

Must read by all who need to learn about extremism in Islam

Really opens the mind and makes you question. Why so many Muslims are quiet when extremist have taken over our beautiful religion.

good book.

Excellent book with eye-opening ideas and interpretations and enjoyable narration. The themes are great and the vast knowledge of the author is displayed in an elegant way which doesn't come off a preachy. Highly recommend.

Could not listen

The book is really nice but I stopped listening after chapter number two. I wouldn’t recommend anyone.

nice

Incredibly refreshing and entertaining anecdotes. well articulated and relevant. I would recommend to anyone interested in current muslim affairs.

Essential!

One of the best books I've ever listened to! It is an amazing journey along the paths of Islam since its birth until today's challenges. Akyol is a wise and keen interpreter of the islamic philosophy and tradition . He brings facts and freshness to the readers, inviting everyone to join in the essential act of reasoning, interpreting and enjoying this very existence. There is no way to feel bored listening to this work, quite on the contrary, one will probably feel deeply alive and welcomed to the world of free thinking and acting for the sake of paving human progress.

Very well researched and deep thinking

The book spans evolution of the Islamic theocracy and history over the past 1500 years in simple language but has deep implications. The choice of the Asharite theology over the Mutazilites has made an impact in how the Muslim civilization has evolved not only as a society but one who has fallen from the crest of scientific exploration and evolution to today’s bare existence. Suppression of the human spirit of a society has never reflected in Innovation, when any kind of innovation is considered negative. Time to rethink to truly understand the true message of the Creator.

A new Hope not an old Dogma

I greatly enjoyed the writers analysis and dissection of the current Mullen minds. He brought all the major historic events that shaped the current problems Muslims face. I totally agree with him that we seems to have been stuck for centuries in the same battles the consumed us and prevented us from moving forwards. I believe we first need to get out of the hole is to open our hearts and emphasize an ethical and emotional stand taking the guide of our prophet. Let’s let a side and do many opinions and fights between the different factions and say “ Salam Alaykum “ with a smile when we greet each other’s ( or any one for that matter ) as the prophet was gentle , honest and respectful with all people around him.
Being committed to such simple stand and emphasizing the spiritual connection with one God in my mind is so important before we start tackling more complex issues for which every group will find the text that support their ideology .
Totally agree with the idea of isolating and protecting Islamic tradition and practice from the political arena. Nothing has messed and can mess with Islam as a universal humanitarian message like politics and seeking power and control .
A very highly recommended read ( or audio book ). Thank you again Mustafa Akol

excellent read of Islam

so much depth and analysis. even though I am a Muslim in my 40s, I learnt do much from this book.