162 The American Journal of Islamic Social Sciences Vol. 6, No. 1, 1989 Book Review Interfaith Directory &iited with an Introduction by Francis Clark; New York: International Religious Foundation, 1987, x+J78 pp. The cause of interfaith dialogue, understanding and what is sometimes described as "the wider ecumenismn has gained considerable momentum in recent years. While interfaith conflicts and sectarian tensions continue to hit the headlines, efforts to build bridges and arrive at some degree of mutual understanding are also underway. Recent years have witnessed the emergence of many groups, agencies and organizations around the globe that are working in the field of interreligious dialogue and understanding. These groupings have held numerous interfaith seminars, cqnferences and workshops and have contributed significantly in opening up new channels of communication and wider avenues of concord among the hitherto contending religious community leaders. One such organization is The Council for the World's Religions (CWR). a New York based organization which aims to bring believers of all faiths into mutual friendship and collaboration in the service of God and humanity. The Interfaith Directory sponsored by the CWR is one important step toward disseminating information about other organizations and agencies working for interreligious harmony and concord. The Directory lists names, addresses and activities of about seven hundred interfaith organizations throughout the world. These organizations have been listed in five different categories: 1) organizations with multifaith membership; 2) organizations relating to two or three religions; 3) organizations based on one religion. but with outreach to other religions; 4) universalist movements for spiritual unity; and 5) academic institutions which are also centers of interfaith dialogue and encounter. Some organizations receive multiple entries because of the varied nature of their activities and programs. The Directory also includes two very useful indeces, one alphabetical and the other geographical. As has been noted by the editor, these organizations may vary considerably in size, resources and effectiveness but all of them share the common goal of interreligious harmony. Francis Clark has contributed a very thoughtful introduction to the volume in which he discusses present trends in the world-wide interfaith movement . He rightly points out that the interfaith movement "is a deeper religious expression of the new sense of oneness of the human family and the new awareness of our coounon responsibilities, dangers and destiny in our one shared habitat." However, he is not oblivious The American Journal of Islamic Social Sciences Vol. 6, No. I, 1989 163 of the many obstacles which still stand in the way of closer association between different religious traditions. Apart from doctrinal beliefs, loyalty of believers to their own creed and the fear of surrendering the uniqueness of their own faith, there is also "inherited hostility and suspicion remaining from past religious conflicts." Mr. Clark believes that the interfaith work, in order to be authentic and successful, must combine respect for "religious pluralism, and for the spiritual values of other religions, with conviction of the unique value and divinely sanctioned significance" of one's own faith. This lnte,faith Directory will be an invaluable treasure for those who are active in interreligious activities. It will also be a very useful source of information about organizations and groups that are currently engaged in such activities. INDEX OF ISLAMIC LITERATURE, 1986 As tht wo,ld's Interest in lslem end Muslim1 QfOwt , so does the liteotu,e on these rwo subjects. However, the 9rowin11 need to acquire the knowledge of this literature has not yot been aulllc,ently me~ The INDEX is I step in thal d1tection. It ts, par1 or an ambitious ptan to acquire and accumulate know1edg• Ol'I tl'lls ,,ea wnh , v1ew to sharing it with libraries, scholars and general ttader-s. Som• of th• 1ubftcU covered In the INDEX ore: Bibliogrephles and Blographle,-0,,-W.h - lslamlc Movoment and Revlval- the Our'tn, the H.cli th and the Slrah- 'Aq'l"ld and 1Wdlt - l'iqh- Islamic Thought and lnstlMlons- Muslim llistory-Conremporery Muslim Um mah - Geography ind Travels- Selene• and Tochnol011Y - An ind An:hltecture- Arabic Lan9uage- Comperotive RellgloN and System• - 01Jen1all1m - Audlo V1,uel A.ids end Juvenlt• Li\er1tute. Mumtaz Ahmad Washington , DC The cumulative INDEX of 1986, containing about 120 pages, is designed 10 form• port of tho MWBR. 11 wfll provide, comprehenshre 9uide 10 books and 1r1icles pubhshed duri"II 1986 in E"9lish . The l"IDEX will cost CS.00. but is offered lrH IO regular and new aubscribers to the MWBR. Off•• clous on 30th Septemlw,. 1997. All lulure issuH ol the MWBR will lncludt an Index ol \slamlc Uterelure. Tho Summerluueoftho MWBRwill lwdevoted to the Qur'in end will contain onleles on: • The Qur'in and Orienta1ists' legacy, • Muslim Contrlbu1lons to the Oul'anic Studies In E/\gliah • Env llsll Tr.nslatlof\S of the Ourln. • A Su Ney of Tafsi, Literature In Ar•btc. Also rev\ews on Important book:s on the Our'ln . U( OVERSEAS Subscrlpt,on rates: (poatage peldJ lby airmail) lndMdual• £13 00 £1&.00{S2S.OOJ 1n,1itu1lons en .oo ao.OOIS32.00l Sl"9lt coplet (4.00 C5.00 ($8.00J Make chequu payabl• to the f•l1mk Found11ion. SUBSCRIBE NOW AND GET THE INDEX FREEi 01de, your copy today frOM 1he Subscription Manager THE MUSLIM WORLD BOOK REVIEW The lslamlc Foundetlon , 223 London Road. Leicester LE2 1 ZE, U. K. Tel: (0533) 700725