The Oxford Encyclopedia of the Islamic World: Six-Volume Set » (REV)

John L. Esposito is Professor of Religion and International Affairs and Founding Director of the Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding at Georgetown University. A past president of the Middle East Studies Association, he is the author of numerous books on the Muslim world, and is the preeminent Islamic Studies scholar.

This unique reference is a comprehensive encyclopedia dedicated to the institutions, religion, politics, and culture in Muslim societies throughout the world. Beginning coverage in the sixth century and extending it to the present day, the Encyclopedia covers Muslims in the Arab heartland as well as South and Southeast Asia, Europe, and the Americas.

An invaluable resource, The Oxford Encyclopedia of the Islamic World offers extensive comparative and systematic analyses of Islamic beliefs, institutions, movements, practices, and peoples on an international scale. The articles range from brief 500-word essays to major interpretive and synthetic treatments of topics such as the Islamic state, pilgrimage, law, marriage, and foreign relations. Related entries cover areas of general interest such as social and political movements, women, Muslim minorities, human rights, Islam in the West, and interreligious affairs. Prominent figures that had a lasting impact on Islam are also explored, including Muhammad, Aga Khan, Malcolm X, Muhammad Iqbal, 'Ali Shari 'ati, Ayatollah Khomeini, and Hasan al-Turabi.

Library Journal

One of the world's foremost Islamic studies scholars, Esposito (religion & international affairs, Georgetown Univ.) has substantially updated Oxford's highly regarded Encyclopedia of the Modern Islamic World from 1995. This six-volume set not only concentrates on the modern Muslim world, as did its predecessor, but it has also been expanded to include religious and historical background on Islam going back to its inception, plus Muslim communities in regions outside of traditional Islamic spheres (e.g., North America and Europe). Thoroughly revised, the encyclopedia's 1050 A-to-Z entries, written by an international community of 550 scholars, cover such topics as history, geography, law, religious belief, culture, politics, economics, and mysticism. All articles are signed and range in length from short essays to lengthy commentaries on important topics (e.g., "Sunni and Shi'i Islam," "The Qur'an"). Terms are given in the original Arabic with English translations where needed. Written in clear, jargon-free language, this is a balanced, well-rounded, and evenhanded resource for both scholars and general readers interested in understanding Islam and its place in the world. BOTTOM LINE While Brill's Encyclopedia of Islam remains the standard reference work in the field, its slow production and immense cost make this a far more reasonable option for many libraries. Highly recommended for all academic and public libraries; essential for religion collections.—Amanda K. Sprochi, Univ. of Missouri Lib., Columbia