In lieu of an abstract, here is a brief excerpt of the content:

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The assembling of a collection of essays requires patience from each contributor as well as from the publisher and, as editors, we have been most grateful for the collegial support they have generously given. Many of the contributors came together for preliminary discussions about the book, and the editors wish to thank the Ford Foundation, Jakarta; the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Canberra; and the Australian Institute of International Affairs (especially its Executive Director Ross Cotterill) for sponsoring the travel of overseas visitors to the meeting. The editors are grateful also to the Anglican Bishop of Canberra and Goulburn, the Rt Rev. George Browning; The Rev. Elaine Farmer; broadcaster and commentator Graeme Dobell; and Professor Peter Read for their thoughtful and perceptive responses to issues raised in the essays. At the Australian National University, where the essays had their first editing, it is our pleasure to acknowledge the warm assistance of Vera Joveska, Andrea Haese, and Carol Laslett. Professor Anthony Milner and Professor James J. Fox, Dean of the Faculty of Asian Studies and Director of the Research School of Pacific and Asian Studies respectively, and Dr Khalifa M. Bakhit Alfalasi, former Ambassador to Australia of the United Arab Emirates, encouraged and supported the enterprise from start to finish. Professor Deanne Terrell, former Vice-Chancellor of the Australian National University provided a grant to assist with pre-publication preparation of the book, and by so doing underlined his commitment to improving general understanding about Islam. It remains to add our special thanks to Australian editor Belinda Henwood and to our publisher, viii Acknowledgements Mrs Triena Ong (Managing Editor, Institute of Southeast Asian Studies, Singapore) and Ms Rahilah Yusuf, Production Editor. Virginia Hooker and Amin Saikal Canberra July 2004 ...

Share