Public interest in the religion of Islam and in Muslim communities in recent years has generated an impetus for Western Universities to establish an array of Institutes and programs dedicated to the study of Islam. Despite the growth in number of programs dedicated to this study, very little attention has been paid to the appropriate shape of such programs and the assumptions that ought to underlie such a study.

1 Introduction - Paul Morris and Paul Trebilco Part I: Conceptual Issues 2 Reason, Religion and Modernity: Reflections on the Role of Islam in the Modern University- Paul Morris 3 The Role of Study Of Islam at the University: A Canadian Perspective- Andrew Rippin 4 On Encountering the Other in Islam: Reflections, Reminiscences and Hope-Anthony Johns Part II: Perspectives and Experiences 5 The Teaching of Islam in Western Universities: Reflections and Impressions-Mohammad Hashim Kamali and Zarina Nalla 6 Islamic Studies in Australia: Establishing the Centre of Excellence for Islamic Studies-Abdullah Saeed 7 Teaching About Islam in the Western University: Some Reflections - William Shepard Part III: Issues and Challenges 8 De-talebanising Islam and Creating Transcultural Spaces- Erich Kolig 9 Insiders, Outsiders and Critical Engagement: Reflections on Teaching "Women in Islam" in a Western University - Toni Tidswell 10 Could there be an Islamic Philosophy of Religion?- Gregory Dawes 11 What Should we say about Muhammad? - Christopher van der Krogt 12 A Danger to Free Research and Teaching in German Universities?: The Case of Muhammad - Sven Kalisch & Katharina Volker