Q&A with Belal Abu-Alabbas, author of Al-Bukhārī
Belal Abu-Alabbas explores the making of the first comprehensive critical biography of Muhammad ibn Ismāʿīl al-Bukhārī.
6 things worth knowing about Jews and Muslims in the Maghreb
Marta Domínguez Díaz explores the intertwined lives of Iberian Muslims and Jews exiled to the Maghrib.
5 things you might not expect of Christian-Muslim relations in the Middle East
Drawing on a long history of Christian-Muslim coexistence, Anna Hager explores the nuances and complexities of interfaith relations in the Middle East
How to Get Banned from Teaching the Quran: Medieval Cairo Edition
by Shuaib Ally, McGill University Around the turn of the 15th century in Cairo, a hadith scholar named Salah al-Din al-Aqfahsi heard Salah al-Din al-Kalai, a scholar associated with the Sufi Shadhili order, teaching the Quran. Part of his teaching…
Writing from the margins: Bosnian Hajjis’ understanding of the world
by Dženita Karić As I was doing research on the Hajj discourses in Bosnia from the 16th to the 21st century, I encountered a range of texts, published and unpublished, in Bosnian, Arabic and Ottoman Turkish languages. Some of the…
Five Essentials of Friday Preaching in Modern Turkey
by Elisabeth Özdalga The core of her new book Pulpit, Mosque and Nation, author Elisabeth Özdalga explores five key aspects of Turkey’s Friday preaching. 1. A Secular State Housing Thousands of Mosques and Pulpits Every Friday, millions of Muslims all…
The destruction of ‘un- Islamic’ edifices by ISIS and the Taliban
by Shivan Mahendrarajah The Taliban are back in power, ushering in renewed fears of destruction of cultural heritages. Their first time in office (1996–2001), the Taliban destroyed edifices on the basis that they were ‘un-Islamic’ and/or ‘beacons’ for polytheists (mushrikin).…
Journal of Holy Land and Palestine Studies Turns 20
By Professor Tayseer Abu Odeh Journal of Holy Land and Palestine Studies is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. Journal of Holy Land and Palestine Studies is an international refereed journal presenting a global platform and space for both critical…
Transcendent God, Rational World: A Māturīdī Theology
by Ramon Harvey Ramon Harvey introduces his approach to Islamic theology in his new book Transcendent God, Rational World: A Māturīdī Theology. Thinking today has become dizzying. Attention spans are diminished. No sooner does someone have an idea, but it…