Women are a neglected lot, but not under Islam. It may sound to be an uncommon statement, but, it's true. Islam hit the world scenario as progressive religion and raised the banner for reforms, humanity and equality.

Islam, as a system and code of conduct gives all rights to its female followers, at par with men. Within the parameters of Islam, the women enjoy a status equal to that of men-with regard to property, opportunities and the basic rights.

This research based study deals with the status of women in Islamic society in a very scholarly, academic and objective manner. And it makes this work exemplary and a valuable addition to the existing books on the subject.

Does the influence of the U.S. increased in the Muslim world especially after the Gulf War? In fact, the signs of a future geo-political realignment on religious lines cannot be missed. India, Pakistan, Indonesia, China and Russia are likely to face a serious dilemma during the next century when our new bi-polar world emerges. Muslim populations need an understandable affinity towards the Islamic bloc. For Saudi Arabia the Gulf War was a double-edged sword. Kuwait is to fully implement the Islamic law. In Jordan the Muslim Brotherhood emerged as the largest single party in Parliament. China has set-up a Muslim dominated trust. The only ideology capable of challenging the politico-economic power of the modern Western Europe is Islam. A majority of the Islamic Nations are bound by a common hostility to America, even though some like Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Egypt still remain Washington's allies. The conflict between the Islamic states and Europe is deep-rooted and stems from a historical conflict between the Islamic and Christian civilizations. The collapse of the Soviet Union has led to sweeping changes in global alignments as we move towards a new world order, that that may not be on President George Bush's model. Does the West responsible for spreading prejudices and misunderstanding the Islamic awakening, the book give the future of Islam vs. the West European nations.

Struggle is part of Kurd Muslim minority's history. They have been tools in the hands of others to destabilize neighbouring regimes, but their non-Kurdish rulers are united in their desire to deny statehood to the Kurds, because a Kurdish state could undermine the balance of power system in West Asia, the Soviet Union, Iran and Turkey. In Iraq Kurds enjoy full autonomy. Can wars solve problems or create new ones? Is the whole population of Northern Iraq, on the move? Iraq is doing the best it can to alleviate the sufferings of Kurdish people- their own brothers and sisters. The Kurds, after all are Iraqi citizens. The Iraqis have granted autonomy, build roads, brought electricity and water to their houses. Regarding the future of Kurds, it depends on the people of the region to decide. There is a consensus on the World that Iraqi territorial integrity must be respected.

The book deals with several important issues like Muslim Personal law and other controversies, position of Muslim women, caste in Muslims and other minorities. In fact entire gamut of Muslim Personal Laws covering all aspects of marriage, divorce and inheritance need be looked into. An utter educational backwardness, orthodoxy, traditionalism, communalism, economic backwardness, British administrative apathy and selfishness of Maulvies and Maulanas precluded the question of social reforms among Muslims particularly Muslim women.

Today the Indian Muslims are standing at the cross roads-pondering whether to move forward or stay where they are. On one side are the orthodox Muslim theologians and on the other, the forward-looking Muslim intellectuals. The book discusses from 1930 onwards the Muslim struggle for national renaissance. It also covers latest problems like Babrimasjid, uniform Personal Laws, women status and conditions and so on.

The book will be useful for students and teachers of modern history, specially interested in Muslim history, culture, law and philosophy.