Qur’an in Conversation by Michael Birkel

I met Mr. Birkel at an interfaith event a couple of months ago. In our conversation he told me about his book. So I read it. He is a Quaker by faith but interested in building bridges among Jewish, Christian, and Muslim faiths as I am. To that end he set out to interview Islamic scholars to gain their perspective on the Qur’an, its place in the modern world, and the relationship of Islam with Christianity and Judaism. Those interviews along with his own commentary is the content of the book.

This book was a hard read in some places for me. I had difficulty following the language and logic of some of the Islamic scholars. I found myself wanting to ask follow on questions or for additional clarification. Nevertheless, I am so pleased that I stuck with it. It was well worth the time, effort, and understanding I gained.