Tuesday. March 31, 2009

 "...a fascinating book that seeks to differentiate between the Islamic State and the state of Islam."

TORONTO, March 31, 2009 - The Donner Foundation today announced that Chasing a Mirage: The Tragic Illusion of an Islamic State (Wiley 2008) by MCC founder Tarek Fatah has been shortlisted for the annual $35,000 Donner Book Prize. The award recognizes and rewards non-fiction books by Canadian authors that contribute to the "best public policy thinking, writing and research in Canada."

Recognizing Chasing a Mirage as one of the top five contenders for the prize, the official announcement described the book in these words:

"A fascinating book that seeks to differentiate between the Islamic State and the state of Islam. Can a millennia of aggression be brought to a halt? Chasing a Mirage is unequivocal in its answer and its remedy to end political violence that is inimical to Islam and its state of grace and peace."

Making the announcement, Allan Gotlieb, Chairman of the Donner Canadian Foundation said, "The Donner Prize annually rewards excellence and innovation in Canadian public policy writing; inspiring lively debate on public policy issues and rewarding provocative and excellent work that speaks to an informed readership and an open exchange of ideas and public debate."

He added, "bestowing this award, the Donner Canadian Foundation seeks to broaden policy debates, increase general awareness of the importance of policy decision making and make an original and meaningful contribution to policy discourse." The other 2008-2009 Donner Book Prize finalists are:

• Arctic Front: Defending Canada in the Far North by Ken S. Coates, P.   Whitney Lackenbauer, William R. Morrison & Greg Poelzer (Thomas Allen    Publishers)
• Fixing the Future: How Canada's Usually Fractious Governments Worked Together to Rescue the Canada Pension Plan by Bruce Little (Rotman /University of Toronto Press Publishing)
• The Limits of Boundaries: Why City-regions Cannot be Self-governing by Andrew Sancton (McGill-Queen's University Press)
• Disrobing the Aboriginal Industry: The Deception Behind Indigenous Cultural Preservation by Frances Widdowson & Albert Howard (McGill-Queen's University Press)

The winner of this year's Donner Prize will be announced at an awards ceremony in Toronto on Thursday, April 30, 2009. The winner will receive $35,000, with $5,000 awarded to the other finalists.