A guidebook about Islam and its role in society. As of 2015, approximately 1.8 billion people identified as Muslim, 24 percent of the global population. Islam's adherents are found throughout the world, but some question whether its values and practices are at odds with those of Western nations, with particular concerns about Muslim extremism and its connection to terrorism. This has prompted attempts to control or even prevent Muslims from entering Western countries. As the global Muslim population continues to rise and immigration increases, questions about the role of Islam and its adherents in society have become increasingly urgent.

Foreword -- Introduction -- Islam around the world. Key findings regarding Muslims around the world / Michael Lipka ; How can Islam fit in with secular modernity? / Asia Society ; Negative stereotypes of Muslims have fueled the rise of Islamophobia / Belinda F. Espiritu ; Long-standing differences between Islamic sects continue to impact Muslim life today / Mike Shuster -- Radical Islam, truth, and perception. The sources of religious violence are misunderstood / Adam Garfinkle ; Unjust punishments in the Islamic world / Denis MacEoin ; The differences between "radical" and "moderate" in the Muslim world are potentially dangerous for the West / Raymond Ibrahim ; The threat of Islamic terrorism is exaggerated / Tarek Ladjal ; The Islamic State poses a real threat to the United States / Stuart Gottlieb -- Global perspectives on Islam. In the United States we must confront our own Islamophobia / Todd Green ; In Britain and France political correctness and multiculturalism have allowed radical Islam to flourish / Denis MacEoin ; In Iraq, Afghanistan, and Pakistan there are obstacles to Democracy / Pew Research Center ; In Syria fleeing refugees must confront Western ignorance and zenophobia / Ammar Abdulhamid ; In the Central African Republic Christians and Muslims coexist amid conflict / Nyeko Caesar Poblicks ; In Southeast Asia civic republicanism should be married with religion / Pew Research Center ; In the United States Muslims have a history as old as the nation / Southern Poverty Law Center -- Steps toward coexistence. US Muslims face many different forms of discrimination / Rebecca A. Clay ; Non-Muslims must stand up to Islamophobia / Ally Beetham ; Christians and Muslims and common ground / Jamal Badawi ; Want to change perceptions of Muslims? Support students of all beliefs / Matthew J. Mayhew -- For further discussion -- Organizations to contact.