The Two Faces of Islam

Mr. Schwartz talks about his book The Two Faces of Islam: The House of Sa’ud from Tradition to Terror, published by Doubleday. In the book he explains the history and describes the philosophical and religious differences that distinguish traditional beliefs from the radical sects that have sprung up over the past fifteen hundred years. He focuses on Wahhabism, the puritanical sect to which Osama bin Laden belongs. Founded in the eighteenth century by a radical cleric, this intolerant sect became the official creed of the Saudi Arabian state and has been exported to Moslem countries around the world. Mr. Schwartz shows that this is part of a revolution within Islam as the majority of Moslems have little sympathy for the Wahhabis and many openly denounce their motivations and goals. Mr. Schwartz talks about the influence of Wahhabi Islam around the world and its ties to the royal family in Saudi Arabia. close