ISLAM : What it is

By
Hassan S. Karmi

Foreword

The call to Islam is a noble, lofty mission, indeed a serious responsibility that can only be discharged through the adoption of a wise and sound discourse, founded on unmitigated reason, crystal-clear discernment, full-fledged maturity and unblemished conduct. Such discourse must address people in a way perfectly suited to their reasoning, using the language they most understand, the concepts they can assimilate, and the style likely to elicit their good response.

Being aware of the essential underpinnings of any fruitful call to Islam in the modern times, and seeking to honour its obligations toward the dissemination of the Islamic Message through befitting, elegant means that might convey the essence of the Islamic Message in a comprehensive, elaborate way, the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO) takes pleasure to publish this book, prepared by Prof. Hasan Karmi, the illustrious information figure, and one of the sturdy pillars of BBC's Arabic Section ever since its inception. The author -may Almighty God grant him excellent health and long life- has devoted this fruitful stage of his life to lexicographic work, which made it possible to bring into being such jewels as "Al-Mughni," two-volume English and Arabic bilingual dictionary, and "Al-Hadi ila Lughati al-Arab," Arabic language dictionary  published in four volumes.

The author boasts a vast, in-depth culture, heightened by a masterly command of English, the language most suited in the current epoch to addressing non-Muslim intellectuals and learners throughout the world with a view to expounding the true facts of Islam and illustrating clearly its tolerant, righteous principles. No doubt that this is a cardinal condition for writing a book on Islam for non-Muslims, using such elegant style.

As it presents this book to readers worldwide, the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO) wishes to thank the esteemed author for his good cooperation, expressing deep appreciation for his praiseworthy efforts and his entrusting ISESCO with the publication of his valuable book. We hope this book will benefit readers and achieve the goals aspired.

Dr. Abdulaziz Othman Altwaijri
Director General of ISESCO