Since Europeans first colonized Arab lands in the 19th century they have beenpressing to have the areas indigenous laws and legal systems accord withWestern mod... » 

Since Europeans first colonized Arab lands in the 19th century they have beenpressing to have the areas indigenous laws and legal systems accord withWestern models. Although most Arab states now have national codes of law thatreflect Western influence fierce internal struggles continue over how tointerpret Islamic law particularly in the areas of gender and family. Fromdifferent geographical and ideological points across the contemporary Arabworld Haddad and Stowasser demonstrate the range of views on just what Islamslegal heritage in the region should be. For either law or religion classesIslamic Law and the Challenges of Modernity provides the broad historicaloverview and particular cases needed to understand this contentious issue. «