Examines different positions of knowledge insider and outsider to explore what understanding Islam means in the 21st century Explores the long-standing conflict between science and religion, starting with the early development of the sociology of religion Critically examines the notion of positionality and its application in the study of contemporary Muslim religiosity Focuses on the dynamics of islamophobia, insider-outsider knowledge, feminist activism, the development of the sociology of Islam, the demography of Muslim communities, Sharia, orientalism and post-orientalism Key topics are explored through debates with modern philosophy, such as pragmatism, post-structuralism, postmodernism and hermeneutics Can we understand a religion without believing and practicing it? Can we have knowledge about faith? Can people understand those different from themselves? Can outsiders ever understand the world of insiders? Examining insider and outsider positions of knowledge Bryan S. Turner explores what understanding Islam entails. He argues that understanding Islam has in recent years been dominated by political events the Iran Hostage crisis, the fall of the Iranian Shah, 9/11, Afghanistan and the foreign policy of Donald Trump leading to western intellectuals and public figures, many of whom know nothing about Islam, suddenly becoming experts. Turner asks how they, or how anyone, can have the authority to speak on this subject. He brilliantly elucidates the questions and problems involved in the challenge of understanding religion.