Fadlallah

This unique book traces the trajectory of the most prominent figure of modern Islam - from his early intellectual development through his scholastic and political career - against a background of cultural, political and economic upheaval in Iran, Iraq, and Lebanon. Demonised by the West, and denounced by Muslim conservatives for his 'moderation' and 'innovation', Sayyid Fadlallah was one of the first Islamic figures to condemn the events of 9/11, while at the same time remaining amongst the harshest, relentless critics of the US role in the Middle East. Fadlallah is regarded by many as the spiritual leader of the Islamist party Hizbullah. But his emergence as one of the world's pre-eminent Islamists would have taken place even without Hizbullah; his insistence on cross-denominational dialogue across the Arab and Muslim world has inspired many followers and emulators. Here, for the first time, we are given an insight into the enigmatic, multi-faceted, sometimes contradictory personality of this extraordinary Shi'ite leader.