Islam: Reference

The Oxford Encyclopedia of the Modern Islamic World by John L. Esposito (Oxford University Press) unique reference is the first comprehensive encyclopedia dedicated to the institutions, religion, politics, and culture in Muslim societies throughout the world. Placing particular emphasis on the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, The Oxford Encyclopedia of the Modern Islamic World contains over 750 articles in four volumes. The focus throughout is on the Islamic dimension of the Muslim experience in recent history, and background articles ground the information in its historical context and ensure continuity. Entries address political and social action as well as formal texts, and emphasis is placed on the practice and theory of Islam in Muslim societies around the globe. Unlike more limited explorations of Islam, this work looks at Muslim societies in the Arab heartland as well as in South and Southeast Asia, and even in Europe and the Americas. Thus it is an invaluable resource offering extensive comparative and systematic analyses of Islamic beliefs, institutions, movements, practices, and peoples on an international scale.

Topical categories covered include history and geography; schools of thought; religious beliefs; theology and philosophy; mysticism; religious practice, devotionalism, and ritual; religious law; politics; economics; culture and society; and biographies. Alphabetically arranged 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 such topics as social and political movements, women, Muslim minorities, human rights, Islam in the West, and interreligious affairs.

Truly multidisciplinary, this work reflects the breadth and depth of contemporary scholarship in Islamic studies, combining the tools of the humanities and social sciences to examine the interrelationship of religion, politics, and culture in Muslim societies and to explain the changing realities of Muslim life. Designed for easy use by both scholars and students, the work has an index and an extensive system of cross-references that provide easy access to the network of related articles throughout the encyclopedia. Entries are written by Muslim and non-Muslim scholars from around the world.

Arabic Script: Styles, Variants, and Calligraphic Adaptations by Gabriel Mandel Khan (Abrams) One of the world's major forms of writing, Arabic script became widespread as a result of Islamic conquests of much of the world. The Koran places great importance on writing, and in the first verse of the holy book, reading and writing with the calamus, or reed pen, are praised as the source of all knowledge and all spiritual or scientific paths of change. For this reason the Islamic world is known for its reverence for books, as well as its love of writing. Eventually Arabic script gave rise to calligraphic art, which became an art form of astonishing beauty. More highly regarded than painting, Arabic calligraphy is approached aesthetically like music, with its own rules of composition, rhythm, and harmony.

The Historical Dictionary of Islam by Ludwig W. Adamec (Scarecrow) is a handy reference for anyone requiring information on the Islamic religion and culture. It outlines the development of Islam from its beginnings in Mecca and Medina to its growth into a major world religion today. This volume includes short biographies of theologians, philosophers, founders of Sunni and Shi'ite schools of jurisprudence, and individuals who influenced the interpretation of Islamic dogma, politics, and culture from early days to the present. The reader will find entries on major sects, philosophical trends, and the responses by Islamic movements to issues of 21st century politics, such as the inroads of Westernization in the Islamic world. A chronology lists important dates from the sixth to the end of the 20th century and an introductory chapter outlines the history of Islam and religion to modern days. A comprehensive bibliography will guide the serious student for further research. It lists most of the standard works in Islamic studies as well as important recent publications.

Masterful Islamic Reference Work Now Available on CD-ROM

THE ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ISLAM CD-ROM (EI-CD) ($375, US individual user price, institutional prices vary, Brill Academic Publishers; ISBN: 9004110402 [individuals]; ISBN: 9004113185 [institutions])

THE ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ISLAM is by far the most exhaustive religious encyclopeda ever developed. Only about two thirds completed the work is already generally recognized as one of the greatest collective achievements of History of Religions scholarship. With the CD-ROM edition now available for instutions and scholars the availablity of this masterful reference work will have an even greater diffusion and influence than it already has. Also Brill is dedicated to providing timely updates to all registered owners as they become available.

The result of decades of research and work, Brill’s THE ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ISLAM is generally considered as one of the major scholarly enterprises of this century. Its sheer size and scope are enormous. Its millions of words and thousands of articles contain a true mine of information of immense value for any student and researcher of the Islamic world. This renowned reference work is now available on CD-ROM.

We tested the individual edition in English and found the work useful. We did have some problems with installation but Brill has provided quite clear online help at http://www.brill.nl/eicd/ As a research tool THE ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ISLAM HE ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ISLAM CD-ROM has all the advantages of electronic searchability with a number of unique advantages that unlocks its great wealth of detail in this reference work and thereby enhances research. It facilitates easy and efficient searching throughout this huge body of information.

THE ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ISLAM THE ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ISLAM CD-ROM (EI CD) contains the volumes 1 to 9 (out of the prospective 13 volumes) and includes a large amount of figures, line drawings, genealogical tables and maps.

THE ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ISLAM THE ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ISLAM CD-ROM makes use of cross-referencing hyperlinks in a way that has never before been offered in electronic publishing.

Furthermore it contains indexes with hyperlinks to the main text. It allows for extensive, fully 0 searchable bibliographies in English, and also offers advanced searching possibilities in Arabic transcription. By placing bookmarks and making notes the user has the ability to make annotations that can persoanalize research. THE ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ISLAM THE ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ISLAM CD-ROM is an invaluable reference tool that no scholar or researcher in the Islamic world can afford to be without, This CD-Rom edition is a groundbreaking development in Islamic Studies.

THE ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ISLAM THE ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ISLAM CD-ROM includes:

• Index of Proper Names, Index of
  Subjects, Glossary and Index of Terms
• Over 10 million words and thousands of articles
• Figures, line drawings, genealogical tables and
  maps
• All articles accompanied by a Table of Contents
• Extensive, fully searchable, bibliographies
• Powerful search engine allows for Wildcard, Boolean, and Proximity Searches
• Searches possible in both Arabic transcription and in English
• Export and print options
• Ability to annotate: bookmarks, notes, and cross-referencing hyperlinks
• Clearly written User Guide in English (booklet and on-screen)
  
  Designed for optimal performance under Windows 95/98/NT. Recommended configuration: Pentium 266, 32MB RAM, SVGA
  640x480 256 colors.

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