Muslims and the Making of Modern Europe

Muslims have been integral to the political development and evolution of modern Europe, with over a million Ottoman Muslims becoming citizens of new European states from 1878 to the period following World War II. Emily Greble's book follows the fortunes and misfortunes of several generations of these indigenous men, women, and children, drawing on a wide range of archives to uncover their negotiations with state authorities over the boundaries of Islamic law, religious freedom, and minority rights. It offers a striking new account of the history of citizenship and nation-building, the emergence of minority rights, and the character of secularism.

Format: Hardback
Length: 360 pages
Publication date: 27 January 2022
Publisher: Oxford University Press Inc

From its inception, Muslims have been integral members of modern Europe, reshaping the continent's identity and traditions. This groundbreaking book, Muslims and the Making of Modern Europe, by Emily Greble, delves into the lives of various generations of Ottoman Muslims who became citizens of new European states during the twentieth century. Through a comprehensive exploration of a wide range of archives, including government ministries and madrasas, Greble uncovers the intricate negotiations between Muslims and state authorities. She sheds light on key issues such as the boundaries of Islamic law, religious freedom, and minority rights, demonstrating how these negotiations shaped Europe's complex history.

The book reveals that Muslims are neither newcomers nor outsiders in Europe. Instead, they have played a central role in the continent's political development and the evolution of its principles of equality and law. Over a million Ottoman Muslims migrated to new European states between 1878 and the post-World War II period. Greble's narrative follows the fortunes and misfortunes of these individuals, encompassing merchants, peasants, landowners, muftis, preachers, teachers, students, and believers and non-believers from diverse regions, including the Adriatic coast and the Balkans.

Through her meticulous research, Greble demonstrates how Muslims' experiences are intertwined with the broader story of Europe. She shows how they navigated the continent's turbulent passage from imperial order to the interwar political experiments of liberal democracy and authoritarianism, ultimately contributing to the ideological programs of fascism, socialism, and communism. Muslims' contributions to Europe's history are profound, shaping the grand narratives upon which much of the continent's fractious present rests.

In addition to its historical significance, Muslims and the Making of Modern Europe offers a fresh perspective on citizenship and nation-building, the emergence of minority rights, and the nature of secularism. The book challenges prevailing narratives and sheds light on the complex and multifaceted relationship between Muslims and the European societies they inhabit. It is a valuable resource for scholars, students, and anyone interested in understanding the rich and complex history of modern Europe.

In conclusion, Muslims and the Making of Modern Europe is a groundbreaking work that provides a fresh and insightful perspective on the history of modern Europe. Through its exploration of the lives of Ottoman Muslims and their negotiations with state authorities, the book challenges prevailing narratives and sheds light on the complex and multifaceted relationship between Muslims and the European societies they inhabit. It is a valuable resource for scholars, students, and anyone interested in understanding the rich and complex history of modern Europe.

Weight: 694g
Dimension: 165 x 245 x 30 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780197538807