The Truth About Islam – Textbook

Why Study Islam?
Up until 2001, most Christians viewed Islam as a religion on the other side of
the world, nothing to worry or even think much about. But on September 11th, 2001, it
came to our doorstep. In fact, it forced its way into our homes, churches, and thought
processes. The reality is that Islam had been at our doorstep for quite some time, we
were just blissfully unaware of it.
Like most people in this country, I really didn’t think too much about Islam before 9/11.
I first met a Muslim during the Iranian hostage crisis in 1979, when I was 14. He and his
family lived near my hometown and we became good friends. His father was Iranian and
his mother was Italian. I learned a few things about Islam from him and his family, but
they were not very devout Muslims. I learned about fasting during Ramadan and that
Muslims don’t eat pork. We lost touch shortly after we graduated high school.