Encounters with Islam: Studies in the Anthropology of Muslim Cultures

Lawrence Rosen challenges stereotypes and broadens our understanding of the Islamic world by examining the wide-ranging significance of Muslim art, culture, and law across time and regions. This is a significant anthropological study of the Islamic world from a seasoned scholar.

Format: Hardback
Length: 256 pages
Publication date: 14 September 2023
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Western encounters with the Islamic world often begin with stereotypes and end with a renewed sense of distance. Lawrence Rosen, a seasoned scholar with decades of experience studying the Muslim world, challenges these narrow understandings. Through an interdisciplinary approach, Rosen showcases the far-reaching significance of Muslim art, culture, and law across the globe. He delves into political, economic, and social encounters within and with the Muslim world across different eras, examining a wide range of contexts. From fifteenth-century mosaics in Central Asia that reveal a sophisticated understanding of mathematics to the political choices available to the youth of modern-day Morocco and Cairo, Rosen explores a diverse array of topics. By conducting in-depth analyses of art, law, and religion, and how they interrelated, Rosen paints a vibrant and nuanced portrait of the Islamic world. This is a significant anthropological study of the Islamic world, drawing connections across time, regions, and cultures, from the perspective of a seasoned scholar.

Introduction:
Western encounters with the Islamic world often begin with stereotypes and end with a renewed sense of distance. This is due to a lack of understanding and appreciation for the rich and diverse culture, art, and law of the Muslim world. Lawrence Rosen, a seasoned scholar with decades of experience studying the Muslim world, challenges these narrow understandings. Through an interdisciplinary approach, Rosen showcases the far-reaching significance of Muslim art, culture, and law across the globe.

Political, Economic, and Social Encounters:
Rosen delves into political, economic, and social encounters within and with the Muslim world across different eras. He examines the political choices available to the youth of modern-day Morocco and Cairo, as well as the economic and social challenges they face. He also explores the historical context of these encounters, including the influence of colonialism, imperialism, and globalization on the Muslim world.

Art, Law, and Religion:
Rosen's interdisciplinary approach includes in-depth analyses of art, law, and religion, and how they informed one another. He explores the rich artistic heritage of the Muslim world, including the intricate designs of mosques, the calligraphy of manuscripts, and the sculptures of ancient civilizations. He also examines the legal system of the Shariah, which is based on the Quran and the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad.

Conclusion:
In conclusion, Lawrence Rosen's book "The Islamic World" is a valuable contribution to the field of anthropology. It challenges stereotypes and provides a nuanced and comprehensive understanding of the Islamic world. Through his interdisciplinary approach, Rosen showcases the far-reaching significance of Muslim art, culture, and law across the globe. This is a significant anthropological study of the Islamic world, drawing connections across time, regions, and cultures, from the perspective of a seasoned scholar.

Weight: 450g
Dimension: 235 x 156 x 15 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781009389037