Harvard University’s Pluralism Project has for more than twenty years been systematically collecting and collating information and resources about various faith traditions. Whether you’re seeking a quick overview, an in-depth analysis or a varied collection of items about Islam, this is a good place to start. http://pluralism.org/resources/tradition/index.php?trad=9
BBC on Islam. The BBC religion website has an excellent, simple, compact, easy-to-read overview of Islam. After looking at the religion “at a glance,” you can peruse succinct material about arts and culture; beliefs; history; holy days; ethics; practices; prayer and worship; rites and rituals; subdivisions; texts. http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/islam/
Inside Islam: What a Billion Muslims Really Think, a new documentary film from Unity Productions Foundation, explores the expertly gathered opinions of Muslims around the globe as revealed in the world’s first major opinion poll, conducted by Gallup, the preeminent polling organization. Gallup researchers began by asking the questions on every American’s mind. Why is there so much anti-Americanism in the Muslim world? Who are the extremists and how do Muslims feel about them? What do Muslims like and dislike about the West? What do Muslim women really want? http://www.snagfilms.com/films/title/inside_islam_what_a_billion_muslims_really_think
The Patheos Religious Library provides a well-organized, well-presented, comprehensive overview of various faith traditions and the subsections within the faith traditions. For a good introduction to Islam’s origins, history, beliefs rituals and worship, and ethics and community, check out http://www.patheos.com/Library/Islam.html .
The Harmony Project website contains a section called “Sacred Paths,” which examines some fourteen faith traditions. The presentation of each faith includes an overview essay, written by someone familiar with that faith tradition but not necessarily an adherent. It also includes interviews with adherents, who talk candidly about their faith journey. There also are recommended books for further study. For Islam, go to http://www.theharmonyproject.org/islam.html.
The Interfaith Alliance has posted 27 questions that are frequently asked about Islam. The answers are based on widely shared views among American Muslims “on important topics such as sharia, jihad, the role of mosques and the relationship between religious and civil legal codes. In producing and disseminating this resource, we seek to uphold our shared commitment to religious freedom and contribute to a climate of understanding and mutual respect among Americans of all faiths and none” http://www.interfaithalliance.org/americanmuslimfaq.
Why Islam? The website “Why Islam?” (http://www.whyislam.org) is a broad-coverage compendium of just about everything related to Islam– from religious teachings to history to current events to issues that are being debated in the public forum. It’s written in a style that’s relevant to Americans and the questions they might have about the Muslim faith and practice. It’s a helpful resource for both the serious student and the casual browser.