Reddit reviews Islam: A Concise Introduction

Here's a solid resource: http://teachmiddleeast.lib.uchicago.edu/foundations/golden-age-islam/

I'd also highly recommend the following book as a concise, effective introduction to Islam that comes across as both objective and favorable toward Islam - a rare feat for anyone. Not to mention the author is a renowned religious scholar who taught at MIT, Berkeley and Syracuse: http://www.amazon.com/Islam-Concise-Introduction-Huston-Smith/dp/0060095571

I wouldn't get too caught up in lengthy theological discussions about Islam. I'm sure you're well aware of this already, but Islam is often viewed in such a volatile manner that such discussions will only serve to distract and possibly misinform your students.

Finally, thank you for reaching out and inquiring. It can be quite the mixed bag of results on the ol' interwebs even from folks with the best of intentions. I'd really stick with academic sources at this point and not stray too far into apologetics.

Also, this an informative and engaging TED Talk on the Quran by a Lesley Hazlelton, a Jewish writer no less: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xOnwG_GgAqg

> I suppose what I'm trying to get to the bottom of is: How to best address what I feel is the completely baseless claim that Islam is inherently violent (I often point to a wider context of colonialism and oppression as an explanation), and also how Islam and Buddhism can benefit each other.

A great place to start is Huston Smith's seemingly innocuous little book entitled Islam: A Concise Introduction. It quickly dispels the notions of Islam as 'inherently violent' without being mired in some doctrinal labyrinth. It's taken from his chapter on Islam in his monumental work 'The World's Religions.' He published it as a separate book following 9/11. His credentials speak for themselves. As a side, I had the honor of meeting him not long ago at LMU when he received the university's Bridge Builder award.

Misinformation and ignorance fan the flames of Islamophobia more than anything else. Put another way, imagine what the world's perspective of Buddhism would be during WWII if there was as much access to (mis)information as there is today. Similar rhetoric used by the likes of ISIS was present in Japan. Take this quote from a Zen monk exhorting the virtues of Japanese imperialism during WWII:

"If ordered to] march: tramp, tramp, or shoot: bang, bang. This is the manifestation of the highest Wisdom [of Enlightenment]. The unity of Zen and war of which I speak extends to the farthest reaches of the holy war [now under way]." - From Zen At War

I hope that helps a little :).

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