| About Islamica Magazine | | Print | |
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Who we are: Islamica Magazine is a full-color, glossy quarterly international magazine. It is published by the Center for Inter-Civilizational Dialogue Inc., a 501(c) (3) tax-exempt, non-profit organization based in the US. Islamica Magazine's main aims are to broaden perspectives on Islam and provide a voice for Muslims to articulate their concerns while establishing cross-cultural relations with their neighbors and co-religionists. The majority of our readership is in North America, but we have a significant presence in the UK and Europe and are distributed in over 20 countries worldwide. The topics we cover include Religion, Family, Mysticism, Law, Politics, History, Philosophy, Economics, Sociology, Anthropology, Psychology, Psychiatry, Health, Education, Current Affairs, Culture, Science & Technology, Media, Literature, Poetry, Fiction, Art & Architecture.Why we are here: Islam is one of a handful of topics in the English-speaking world for which expertise or knowledge is not a prerequisite for voicing one’s opinion. The result is akin to a playground where the one who yells the loudest is by default correct. While this process of discerning right from wrong and good from bad is hardly acceptable in any other area of human concern, it often passes as expertise for inquiries on Islam. The mainstream voices are drowned out not because they don’t exist, but because no one can hear them. The irony of the situation is that reasonable, articulate, grounded and authentic voices exist within and without the Muslim community in the West. However, these voices remain outside the popular discourse because few forums exist for them to reach broader public discussions. In a society that is so profoundly influenced by the written word, Muslims remain on the fringe. While Muslim scholars continue to produce important academic publications, they are often specialized and outside the purview of the common reader. They speak often, but are generally heard by Muslim communities or specialized groups that are already familiar with their ideas and thoughts. It is not that Muslims lack fresh ideas, but rather are missing a forum to communicate ideas within the broader cultural and political discourse. It is this forum that Islamica hopes to establish. There are few independent Muslim periodical publications editorially and stylistically strong enough to generate an audience both inside and outside the Muslim community. Islamica Magazine hopes to fill this void. What our goal is: Islamica neither seeks to become the authoritative voice of Islam nor does it assume the role of presenting Islam to the Western world. In the best traditions of both historic communities, we seek to present ideas, discussion and thoughtful debate on the most pressing issues of our time. We invite any and all to participate in this dynamic process that we hope will, God-willing, unfold between the pages of the magazine and website.
WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING: "I always read Islamica with great interest for its insights into the relationship of Islam to the West." — Samuel Huntington, Albert J. Weatherhead III University Professor, Harvard University “From YouTube to blogs to lifestyle magazines, new ventures are being added daily to the Western media. Without exaggeration one stands out as critical for our times: Islamica Magazine … No task is greater just now than dialogue within Western Islam as well as dialogue between Islam and the West. Islamica Magazine rises admirably to that challenge. I have no doubt its voice will grow in the years to come when it is recognized as required reading for all concerned citizens in these early years of the 21st century.” — Nathan Gardels, Editor-in-Chief Global Services, Los Angeles Times Syndicate/Tribune Media "The perceptions and realities of Islam are as varied as they are misunderstood, which makes Islamica a valuable new resource in our library. The quarterly international magazine encompasses extraordinarily diverse voices that provide insight and promote discussion on a wide range of issues." — UTNE Reader magazine “…an intelligent and beautifully produced quarterly.”— Times Educational Supplement “Islamica Magazine is ‘must reading’ for easily accessible information on the issues and concerns of Muslims in the 21st century.” — John Esposito, Director of the Center for Muslim Christian Understanding, University Professor, Georgetown University “Islamica attempts to ameliorate negative perceptions by presenting its readers with a more accurate view of the Islamic world. .... Islamica belongs on the shelves of most public and academic libraries.” — Library Journal “On a scale of 1 to 10, Islamica Magazine is a 12.” — Imam Zaid Shakir “Islamica is the magazine we have been waiting for: intellectually engaging, spiritually uplifting and extraordinarily beautiful. This magazine is for all people who know that to approach the Divine, we must connect with each other and unleash creativity in the best tradition of our sacred heritage.” — Ingrid Mattson, Professor, Hartford Seminary and President of the Islamic Society of North America |