Abstract

The Moslem World was founded in 1911 by Dr. Samuel M. Zwemer with the dual mandate of providing information to the Christian West on the religion of Islam and aiding missionaries in their work of winning Muslims to Christ. Prior to the Journal's establishment little accurate information was available in the West on Islam's history, its creeds, beliefs and practices, and the lives of its adherents. This study has attempted to identify, categorize and analyze the manner and method by which the many facets of Islam were depicted in the pages of The Moslem World under Samuel Zwemer's editorship, 1911-1947. The conclusion drawn is that the Quarterly Review, rather than providing an objective account of Islam, thereby correcting historical inaccuracies, actually furthered negative stereotypes and popular misconceptions through a subjective misrepresentation of the faith. As Christianity was esteemed in the Journal as the pre-eminent faith and the only true religion, it was used as the model by which Islam was to be measured and subsequently judged to be in error. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)