Research

Is Islam More Political Than Christianity?

Topic: Comparative Religion, History & Politics, Radicalism

WHAT DO WE MEAN BY ‘POLITICAL ISLAM’ AND HOW DOES IT DIFFER FROM OTHER KINDS OF ISLAM? I hope we’ve all got past the stage of speaking about ‘Islamic fundamentalism’ and begun to get used to ‘Islamism’, ‘political Islam’ or…

Read

The Night of Power During Ramadan

Topic: Comparative Religion, History & Politics, Radicalism, Folk Islam, Ramadan

Muslims believe there is a specific night that comes only once a year—a night that is exceptionally divine, tremendously sacred, and extremely rewarding. This night comes during the most sacred Muslim month, Ramadan. Islam is built on five pillars or…

Read

Ramadan Can Mean More Pressure to Jesus Followers

Topic: Comparative Religion, History & Politics, Radicalism, Folk Islam, Ramadan, Pillars

There is an air of anticipation in the Muslim world. Ramadan is coming. Women are swapping special recipes and planning meals. Everyone is out shopping, so store fronts are covered in Ramadan lights and religious symbols. Families are discussing travel…

Read

Why Ramadan Concerns Christians

Topic: Comparative Religion, History & Politics, Radicalism, Folk Islam, Ramadan, Pillars, Faith & Practice, Ramadan

Most Americans would be unaware that Ramadan, the Muslim month of fasting, begins June 18 this year. Many would only be casually aware that this is one of the five pillars of Islam; the date changes each year due to…

Read

Do Muslims Use Toothpicks?

Topic: Comparative Religion, History & Politics, Radicalism, Folk Islam, Ramadan, Pillars, Faith & Practice, Ramadan, Faith & Practice

Dr. Larson explains the importance of law in Islam.

Read Watch

Understanding the Disharmony in Islam

Topic: Comparative Religion, History & Politics, Radicalism, Folk Islam, Ramadan, Pillars, Faith & Practice, Ramadan, Faith & Practice, Faith & Practice, History & Politics

Dr. Larson discusses the varying beliefs seen within in Islam.

Read Watch

The Differences between Sunnis and Shi’ites

Topic: Comparative Religion, History & Politics, Radicalism, Folk Islam, Ramadan, Pillars, Faith & Practice, Ramadan, Faith & Practice, Faith & Practice, History & Politics, Sunni & Shi’a

Dr. Larson explains some of the differences between the two Islamic strands of faith.

Read Watch

Understanding the Sunni and Shi’ite Division

Topic: Comparative Religion, History & Politics, Radicalism, Folk Islam, Ramadan, Pillars, Faith & Practice, Ramadan, Faith & Practice, Faith & Practice, History & Politics, Sunni & Shi’a, Sunni & Shi’a

Dr. Larson provides some context to the two strands of Islamic faith.

Read Watch

Less Known Islamic Festivals

Topic: Comparative Religion, History & Politics, Radicalism, Folk Islam, Ramadan, Pillars, Faith & Practice, Ramadan, Faith & Practice, Faith & Practice, History & Politics, Sunni & Shi’a, Sunni & Shi’a, Faith & Practice

Dr. Larson overviews some of the more obscure festivals in Islam.

Read Watch

Islamic Festivals

Topic: Comparative Religion, History & Politics, Radicalism, Folk Islam, Ramadan, Pillars, Faith & Practice, Ramadan, Faith & Practice, Faith & Practice, History & Politics, Sunni & Shi’a, Sunni & Shi’a, Faith & Practice, Contextualization, Faith & Practice

Dr. Larson explains many of the festival in Islam, highlighting their usefulness in contextualization.

Read Watch

What is Unique about Mecca?

Topic: Comparative Religion, History & Politics, Radicalism, Folk Islam, Ramadan, Pillars, Faith & Practice, Ramadan, Faith & Practice, Faith & Practice, History & Politics, Sunni & Shi’a, Sunni & Shi’a, Faith & Practice, Contextualization, Faith & Practice, Faith & Practice

Dr. Larson explains why the Pilgrimage to Mecca is so important.

Read Watch

Understanding the Pilgrimage to Mecca

Topic: Comparative Religion, History & Politics, Radicalism, Folk Islam, Ramadan, Pillars, Faith & Practice, Ramadan, Faith & Practice, Faith & Practice, History & Politics, Sunni & Shi’a, Sunni & Shi’a, Faith & Practice, Contextualization, Faith & Practice, Faith & Practice, Faith & Practice

Dr. Larson explains one of the pillars of Islam.

Read Watch