Live Now
Books
The Islamic Moses: How the Prophet Inspired Jews and Muslims to Flourish Together and Change the World - book cover
Join the Conversation
#CatoBooks
Purchase This Book
Amazon

The Islamic Moses

How the Prophet Inspired Jews and Muslims to Flourish Together and Change the World

A theological and historical exploration of the connection between Islam and Judaism through the single most-mentioned character in the Quran: Moses.

• Published By St. Martin's Essentials
By Mustafa Akyol
Join the Conversation
#CatoBooks
Purchase This Book
Amazon

The horrific terror attacks of October 7 and the catastrophic war in Gaza once again put the Israeli-Palestinian conflict on the global agenda. Some pessimists believe that peace is unattainable, as the conflict is not merely between two peoples claiming the same land but also between two civilizations with clashing values: the Judeo-Christian West versus the Muslim world.

In his new book, Mustafa Akyol offers a remarkably different vision. By going through much-forgotten episodes in history, and by a careful study of theology, he reminds audiences of all religious persuasions that for over a millennium, there was a Judeo-Islamic tradition. He shows that Islam and Judaism are kindred religions whose adherents have often coexisted peacefully, supported each other, and even learned from each other. He also argues that Jews and Muslims can still be partners for peace in the Middle East and stand together for freedom everywhere.

Praise for “The Islamic Moses”

“A timely, accessible, and eye-opening new approach to a centuries-old story.”
―Starred Kirkus Review


“Journalist Akyol draws theological, philosophical, and cultural links between Islam and Judaism in this innovative study inspired by the prophet central to both faiths. It’s a thought-provoking challenge to those who see only deep divisions between the faiths.”
―Publishers Weekly


“Moses is the name that recurs most often in the Qur’an, and the Qur’an was just the beginning. Mustafa Akyol surprises again and yet again with one documented instance after another of affinity or alliance between Jews and Muslims over the centuries. Cogent, admirably concise, and thoroughly engaging.”
―Jack Miles, Pulitzer prize-winning author of God in the Qur’an


“It is a rare thinker who can offer a critical comparative study of two religions and their interactions that is both honest and fair. Here you have it, and in a balanced presentation that is a delight to read. Mustafa Akyol offers a deep dive into the history, theology, law and religious practices of Jews and Muslims as they lived together and apart for centuries — a must read for those open to sincere reflection.”
―Rabbi Reuven Firestone, Regenstein Professor in Medieval Judaism and Islam at Hebrew Union College in Los Angeles

About the Author

Mustafa Akyol is a senior fellow at the Cato Institute’s Center for Global Liberty and Prosperity, where he focuses on the intersection of public policy, Islam, and modernity. He is the author of books such as The Islamic Moses: How the Prophet Inspired Jews and Muslims to Flourish Together and Change the World(2024), Reopening Muslim Minds: A Return to Reason, Freedom, and Tolerance (2021), Why, as a Muslim, I Defend Liberty (2021), The Islamic Jesus: How the King of the Jews Became a Prophet of the Muslims (2017), and Islam without Extremes: A Muslim Case for Liberty (2011), all of which have been translated into various languages.