My interest in Islam dates from the time I lived in Istanbul, teaching at Robert College. I soon felt at home with the educated Turk. In fact, one of my closest friends then, and ever since, was a young Turkish teacher, a liberal Muslim, subsequently dean of the college. As I moved among the common people I was particularly struck with their serenity and calm at all times. Along the quai of the Bosphorus, for example, one had an opportunity to see the difference in temperament which set the Muslim trader apart from his competitors ...