It is both sad and ironic that Islam which openly acknowledges the truth and veracity of other faiths in their original form is distorted and maligned, particularly in the West. Unfortunately some Muslim groups contribute to this false image of Islam by misusing their faith to suit and serve their own political and special agendas.

The Ahmadiyya Movement in Islam, founded in 1889 by Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, who claimed on Divine authority to be the Promised Messiah and the World Reformer of the latter days, (as prophesied in the ancient scriptures of all great religions), is engaged in removing the misunderstandings about Islam. Thus Islam, contrary to general belief, does not permit use of force as an instrument for the spread of its message.

Again, Islam recognizes that all religions have the right to claim possession of some divine truth and different religions should teach unity and tolerance rather than division and strife.

It is beyond the scope of this book to cover all that is unjustly contributed to Islam, but Lajna Imaillah, a women’s auxiliary of the Ahmadiyya Movement, presents in this book Islam’s teachings on the role and status of women in Islam, its marriage system, and its viewpoint on some other contemporary issues.

The book, though primarily designed to be of special interest and guidance to new converts, will also be of great interest to a wider audience. This laudable effort of the Lajna is gratefully acknowledged and should receive wide recognition.

M. M. AHMAD

Ameer Jamaat, U. S. A.