This book shows how ethnography can create a greater understanding of Islam in particular social contexts. Islam is stereotypically presented as a monolithic civilisation that has stifled the emergence of cultural pluralism and individual freedom. In contrast, this volume showcases the diversity and plurality of Muslim societies. The contributors reflect on how the ethnographic method allows the description, representation and analysis of the social and cultural complexity of Muslim societies in the discourse of anthropology. It shows the benefit of using ethnography as a method to engage with and relate to specific real-world examples. It includes case studies on rituals and symbols in Syria, Tunisia, Damascus, Algeria, Britain, Pakistan, Brazil and Lebanon. It covers practices such as veiling, students' religious practices, charitable activities, law and scholarship in Egypt, Jordan, Turkey and Yemen.

About the Author
Baudouin Dupret is Directeur de Recherche at the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS) and Director of the Centre Jacques-Berque in Rabat, Morocco. He is also lecturer in Islamic law at the universities of Louvain and Strasbourg. Thomas Pierret is Lecturer in Contemporary Islam at the University of Edinburgh. Paulo G. Pinto is Professor of Anthropology and director of the Center for Middle East Studies at Universidade Federal Fluminense in Brazil. Kathryn Spellman-Poots is Associate Professor at the Aga Khan University's Institute for the Study of Muslim Civilisations (ISMC).


Book Information
ISBN 9780748689842
Author Baudouin Dupret
Format Paperback
Page Count 208
Imprint Edinburgh University Press
Publisher Edinburgh University Press
Weight(grams) 328g