Jihad is a highly charged word. Often mistranslated as Holy War it hasbecome synonymous with terrorism. Current political events have entirely failedto take acc... » 

Jihad is a highly charged word. Often mistranslated as Holy War it hasbecome synonymous with terrorism. Current political events have entirely failedto take account of the subtlety and complexity of jihad. Like many conceptswith a long history different cultural ideas have influenced the religiousaspects of jihad. As a result its original meaning has been adapted modifiedand destabilized never more than at the present time. How does jihad manifestitself in Muslims everyday lives? What impact has 911 and its backlash had onjihad? By observing the current crisis of identity among ordinary Muslims thistimely book explores why and in what circumstances Muslims speak of jihad. Inthe end jihad is what Muslims say it is. Marranci offers us a nuanced andsophisticated anthropological understanding of Muslims lives far beyond thepredictable cliches. «