Although its stated purpose is "to enhance mutual understanding and reduce mutual ignorance and suspicion" between Muslims and Jews, a controversial book about Islam has so far ignited further animosity and deepened mistrust.

A book tilted "Children of Abraham: An Introduction to Islam for Jews" was recently released at an American Jewish Committee's (AJC) annual convention in Washington.

AJC's initiative to present a fair narration of Islam to Jews initially seemed to be a positive gesture, despite the group's record of being one of the most dedicated backers of Israel in the United States.

But the nature of the book, it's author, topics, design and depiction of Islamic history quickly alienated American Muslims and drew harsh criticism from their leading spokesmen and organizations.

A painting of the Prophet Ibrahim on the cover of the book was sharply criticized by Muslims.

Muslim scholars say that depicting and drawing images of prophets can lead to idol worship, a forbidden practice in Islam.

In a letter to executive director of AJC David Harris, Nihad Awad, executive director of the Council on American Muslim Relations (CAIR) expressed his concerns regarding several aspects of the book.

"Given the AJC's stated intent of promoting 'understanding and mutual respect,' it is puzzling as to why your organization would first of all engage an author who has little credibility in the Muslim community and then add insult to injury by using a cover image that many Muslims will find offensive." Awad affirmed.

"This book has the potential to do more harm than good in terms of interfaith relations."

But the cover image, although offensive to Muslims, is only one of many issues that angered Muslim groups in the United States.

The author of the book, 61-year-old Khalid Duran, was widely criticized by Muslims after his contribution to several projects seen as Islamophobic.

Duran is a "close colleague of infamous Muslim bashers such as Steven Emerson," an author known for his frequent attacks on Muslims and Islam, CAIR said in a statement released last week. The group also accused Duran of being a consultant for Emerson's now discredited 1994 documentary Jihad in America.

Duran has also co-authored a new book with Daniel Pipes, another Islamophobic writer.

He was also among those who falsely accused Muslims for the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing immediately after the incident and may be best remembered for his 1993 conviction in Germany for defaming the Islamic Center of Aachen.

Shortly before its release, CAIR repeated its request to have a group of Muslim scholars review the book for stereotypes and misinformed content. Rabbi A. James Rudin who commissioned the book however, turned down the request, saying that 14 experts of Islam have already reviewed the book.

Rudin claimed in an interview with the Associated Press that Muslim writers who showed a willingness to write for AJC have been targeted by "anti Jewish elements within the Muslim community who are opposed to any positive relations."

Duran too lashed out at Muslim groups, calling CAIR an "extremist" front for Palestinians, and alleged that ISNA did not represent the Muslim community.

Duran says 85 percent of the Muslim holy book the Quran is "open to interpretation", and he criticized Eid al-Adha's "chaotic" practices.

"In terms of crimes against women, the Muslim world is second to none," Duran told AP.

While Duran's book carries a largely critical portrait of Islam, and resorts to what many Muslims would see as offensive stereotypes, another book also published by AJC titled "Children of Abraham: an Introduction to Judaism for Muslims" deals with Judaism basic practices and beliefs.

CAIR's Awad describes Duran's book's table of content as a "laundry list of stereotypes and hot-button issues".

Chapter two of Duran's book praises the Kamalist model of extreme secularism in Turkey as a "successful synthesis" and a "fruitful religious policy".

Turkey has been widely criticized for its suppression of religious freedoms and has restricted any public expression of faith, including the Muslim headscarf.

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Ramzy Baroud is a free-lance writer living in Seattle, Washington.