Al-Mu'ayyad fi'l-DIn al-ShIrzI (died 470/1087), was an outstanding, multi-talented Fatimid scholar of Persian origin. He excelled as a missionary-agent, statesman, poet, preacher and theologian. Based on his autobiography, this work provides an insight into the remarkable life and achievements of al-Mu'ayyad through the important stages of his career, describing his daring attempt to win over the Buyids of western Iraq to the Fatimid cause, his dangerous flight to Cairo and finally his expedition to Syria and Iraq to build up an alliance of local rulers against the invading Saljuk Turks. The author demonstrates that in addition to being an intriguing personal account, the life of al-Mu'ayyad is a rich source of Islamic history in the 5/llth century, which deals with crucial events in the struggle between the Fatimids, Abbasids, Buyids and Saljuks for supremacy in the Muslim world.

I.B. Tauris in association with the Institute of Ismaili Studies Every year since 1983 the Buddhist leader and thinker, Daisaku Ikeda, has issued a peace proposal that presents solutions to a variety of global problems. While the proposals themselves are both wide-ranging and specific (covering topics as diverse as counter-terrorism relations; the prohibition of child soldiers; denuclearization of the Arctic; and strategies to prevent global warming), the common denominator at their center is the role and effectiveness of the United Nations in addressing structural challenges and inequality. This substantial volume brings together, for the first time in one place, excerpts from the most topical and important of Ikeda's peace proposals. Themes like human security, the empowerment of women, nuclear disarmament and the centrality of dialogue are throughout informed by an unshakeable belief in the potential and promise of the UN's world mission, as well as by Ikeda's own experience of the cruelty of war and his articulation of Buddhism as a practical route to peace. The book makes a timely and vital contribution to ethics, peace studies and international relations.