It takes the form of a dialogue between the author and his teenage daughter. Using her ill-defined fears as the starting point, this challenging book begins with a discussion of what it means to be civilised and leads the reader through an evaluation and analysis of the place of Islam in the modern world and its relationship to Islamist terrorism. Exploring all forms of terrorism in both a historical and contemporary context, the book addresses complex and pressing questions in an everyday, accessible language.

Because Ben Jelloun understands that terrorist acts come from the perpetrators’ deep sense of inadequacy, his arguments are all the more powerful. He places a high value on the importance of secular values, with which he believes Islam is compatible. This is a powerful, timely plea for tolerance and understanding.

With an introduction by Jeremy Harding