Islamic Law and the Challenges of Modernity

the long version

"Since Europeans first colonized Arab lands in the nineteenth century, they have been pressing to have the area's indigenous laws and legal systems adhere to Western models. Although most Arab states now have national codes of law that reflect Western influence, fierce internal struggles regarding how to interpret Islamic law continue, particularly in the areas of gender and family. From different geographical and ideological points throughout the contemporary Arab world, Yvonne Yazbeck Haddad and Barbara Freyer Stowasser demonstrate the range of views on Islam's legal heritage in the region. For either law or religion classes, Islamic Law and the Challenges of Modernity provides the broad historical overview and particular examples needed to understand this contentious issue."--BOOK JACKET.