I have found this book to be a helpful supplement to other books and study materials on Islam. Braswell (professor of missions and world religion, at Southeastern Baptist Seminary) says, “We are called upon to reach out to Muslims in love, in service, in speaking the truth with compassion, and in sharing the meaning of salvation experience in Jesus Christ.”

The book includes a helpful history of Muhammad and his role in Islam and the Qur’an (the Islamic bible) and what it says. Braswell explains the different Muslim rituals such as Ramadan, the Mecca pilgrimage, shrines, and mosques. He also explains the different types of Muslims. (We have been made aware recently that not all Muslims are the same, though there is a common thread that links them all together). He reminds us that Muslims are mission oriented, global in that mission, and even militant where possible. Because Islam is a world-and-life-view religion and everything is viewed from a religious perspective (which should not be a foreign concept to reformed Calvinistic Christians), we need to understand just how seriously they take their religion.

In this book, the reader will find several helpful tools such as “Twenty Topics of Comparison Between Christianity and Islam.” I particularly appreciated and have used the “Nine Essentials of Outreach to Muslims.” While both Christianity and Islam have numerous similarities, we also need to understand why there is so much hostility, anger, and hatred of Christianity and Judaism by Islam. Chapter 14, “Muslims in the United States,” should be read by every Christian living in America. It contains helpful up-to-date data on the state of Islam in America plus a chronology of important dates and events connected with Islam.

The book also contains worldwide maps of Islam, a glossary of special terms, and a bibliography. If the forecast is correct that by 2055 Islam will represent at least half of the global birthrate, we need to understand this religion. What You Need to Know will help because it not only covers the religion itself but also the customs and cultures of the Muslims, a key to understanding how to relate to or dialogue with them.

- Charles Dunahoo, CEP Coordinator