Reddit mentions of Elementary Modern Standard Arabic: Volume 1, Pronunciation and Writing; Lessons 1-30 (Elementary Modern Standard Arabic, Lessons 1-30)

I studied Islam and Arabic for many years under some of the most respected Arabic professors such as Peter Abboud and Islam professors like Khaled Abou Fadl.

I absolutely reject the idea that the interpretation that al Fatiha refers to Christian and Jews is the only interpretation. In fact, many Muslims agree with me. In fact it annoys me to no end when fundamentalist Muslims try to say things like that, and I am not going to accept it when anyone else does either. No, that is NOT the only interpretation of that verse, and just because a couple tafsirs give that interpretation that does not mean we should be walking around acting like it is the only one.

I think if we are to fight extremism in Islam it is time we acknowledge that there is a diversity of opinion and ideas about Islam. My former Islam talks about the importance of acknowledging the diversity in Islamic thought in his book The Great Theft. I completely reject the notion that this issue has been put to rest, because there is a diversity of opinion in the Muslim world about this.