Yesterday, I noted the series of posts at Hot Air which are being written by Robert Spencer, called “Blogging the Qu’ran.” Mr. Spencer is the director of Jihad Watch. As his bio states, he “has written seven books, ten monographs, and well over two hundred articles about jihad and Islamic terrorism” (his most recent book is "The Truth About Muhammad"). I’ve admired his work and his courage for some time. And I don’t mean merely the courage it takes to go on TV and debate people who disagree with you: He is one of a handful of notables who were singled out for a threatening “invitation to Islam” by the American al-Qaeda mouthpiece Adam Gadahn in a video last September.

He’s one of the very good guys, in other words, and his work on Islam and jihad — grounded not in his own opinions and speculation, but in actual words from authoritative Islamic and jihadist sources — is clearly of enormous value and importance.

So, after linking to his Hot Air material, I was deeply flattered to receive an e-mail message from the same Mr. Spencer, which began: “Imagine my sheer and utter delight to be mentioned at your magnificent site, which I read often.” So, it turns out that not only is Mr. Spencer an extremely knowledgeable and discerning fan of Bob Dylan, but he also has the very best taste in blogs! Is there nothing that is not commendable in this man?

Don’t miss his series at Hot Air; again, the first post proper is here: Blogging the Qur’an: Sura 1, “The Opening”. There will apparently be a new one each Sunday. Acquiring at least a passing familiarity with the real content of the Qu’ran, and in particular with prevailing and/or conflicting Muslim interpretations of it, is a valuable thing for anyone who wishes to be engaged with what’s going on in the world today (and what will be going on for some time to come). Hot Air is a great place to put such a series, and I’m personally looking forward to reading it all.

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