Muslim Cultures Today presents 16 countries in alphabetical order. The book claims to have chosen these countries because of poor contemporary information about them and for being somehow representative of the diversity of Muslims across the world. It includes countries in Eastern Europe, North Africa, Asia and the Middle East where Muslims, whether the majority or a minority, Sunni or Shiite (and its different branches and numerous sects), or from diverse ethnic groupings, have very different relationships with the state. State systems vary between the Islamic Republic of Iran, Turkey's secular state, and the authoritarianism of Uzbekistan.
There is, however, a strong western, and specifically American, interest in the production of Muslim Cultures Today (most evident in the list of contributors on pp. 237‐238). Moreover, the book's objective to promote a better understanding of Islam's diversity in a post‐September 11th 2001 world view (p. xiii) seems to influence the choice of countries. Other countries of note, for example, include Afghanistan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Egypt, Indonesia and Iraq. This resource will therefore have relevance in the UK (as much as in the USA) with many of the chosen countries featuring in the British press.
Each chapter profiles one country in 12‐16 pages that follow a strict structure. (It perhaps helps that the editor writes seven of the 16 contributions in the volume). All the chapters begin with an overview of the history of Islam in that country, followed by an overview of the country's cultural values, social practice and politics that impact on its Muslim population. As must be expected, the historical and societal overviews are brief and contain a density of geographical, historical, political and statistical information. There are then three thematic sections. The theme on Women and the Family typically highlights Muslim women's inequality in society, politics and the economy. The special issues in the News section tends to focus on liberalization, wars and conflicts in the shadow of the 11th September 2001 and human right concerns. Notable People presents short biographies of Muslims who have been influential within their own country or who have contributed to Islam generally. The book, therefore, offers a particular perspective on these countries rather than, and perhaps this is not possible, a holistic appraise of Muslim cultures.
Overall, one of the weaknesses of Muslim Cultures Today is the lack of synthesis or analysis. There is no cross‐referencing within chapters or a concluding chapter that explores general observations, trends or relationships between countries. However, the tight structure makes it easy for readers to draw comparisons between countries. Indeed, the editor advises certain chapters to be read together, and gives the examples of Pakistan's and India's shared histories and creation during independence from British rule; and Ethiopia, Nigeria and Sudan where female circumcision is common (p. xiv). This suggests the volume could have been organized by region rather than alphabetically. More practically, the book makes poor use of figures. There are a series of maps at the start of the volume that usefully highlight all the countries covered, but these could have been used to show more than location. For example, relevant population statistics, political systems, migration patterns, and natural resources would have put the countries into context. There are no other figures, except for a small number of monochrome photographs simply used for illustration.
Muslim Cultures Today is written for the general reader as well as journalists, and social science students and teachers (p. xiii). The book is accessible with religious or vernacular words explained in the text. In addition, the glossary provides concise, straightforward explanations of religious language (including vernacular terms) that cross‐references to other entries (pp. 221‐228). It is is fully indexed for quick reference (pp. 229‐235). Should the reader want to find out more, there is a resource guide listing suggested reading and internet and video resources at the end of each chapter. In addition the Resource Guide at the end of the volume introduces a number of general books on the beliefs, history, thinking and religious texts of Islam, before discussing internet‐based information and videos. These are then included in a bibliography of further reading that is subdivided into the themes discussed in the chapters as well as internet sites and videos resources available. In the UK it may be difficult to source some of the resources, particularly the videos.
In conclusion, Muslim Cultures Today is a topical reference resource that will be accessible to a wide readership. The book will be a useful addition to an existing collection of general reference material on these sixteen countries and on Islam, but it is of more limited value as an independent resource.
