The Third Choice: Islam Dhimmitude and Freedom

The Third Choice provides a compelling introduction to Islam on the basis of its primary sources the Quran and the life of Muhammad. Topics covered include the sharia; interpretation of the Quran; abrogation; womens rights (including female genital mutilation); lawful deception (taqiyya); Muhammads responses to opposition; Islamic antisemitism; religious freedom; and prospects for reforming Islam. After this critical introduction of Islam there follows an explanation and critique of Islams policy for non-Muslims living under Islamic conditions. The doctrine of the three choices (conversion the sword or the dhimma pact of surrender to Islam) is explained including an analysis of the meaning of tribute payments (jizya) made by non-Muslims (dhimmis) to their Muslim conquerors. Durie describes the impact of dhimmitude on the human rights of non-Muslims in Islamic contexts around the world today in the light of global Islamic resurgence and advancing Islamization including pressure being exerted through the United Nations for states to conform to sharia restrictions on freedom of speech. The worldview of dhimmitude Durie argues offers indispensable keys for understanding current trends in global politics including the widening impact of sharia revival deterioration of human rights in Islamic societies jihad terrorism recurring patterns of Western appeasement interfaith dialogue initiatives and the increasingly fraught relationship between migrant Muslim communities in the West and their host societies.