No previous full-scale study has been undertaken so far to study the polemical writings of the Muslim reformist Mu ammad Rash d Ri (1865-1935) and his associates in his well-known journal al-Man r (The Lighthouse). The book focuses on the dynamics of Muslim understanding of Christianity during the late 19th and the early 20th century in the light of al-Man r s sources of knowledge, and its answers to the social, political and theological aspects of missionary movements in the Muslim World of Ri s age. The basis of the analysis encompasses the voluminous publications by Ri and other Man rists in his journal. Besides, it makes use of newly-discovered materials, including Ri s private papers, and some other remaining personal archives of some of his associates.

Umar Ryad, Ph.D. in Islamic Studies (2008), University of Leiden, has studied at Al-Azhar and Leiden University. He is assistant-professor at the Leiden Institute of Religious Studies. His research includes the modern history of Muslim-Christian relations, developments of Muslim reformist thought and transnational Muslim movements in inter-war Europe.