*Starred Review* This timely, ambitious encyclopedia set from Harvard’s Center for Middle Eastern Studies is the first of its kind: an effort to provide an unbiased and accurate resource for information on the “fastest growing religion in the United States.” The editor and contributors do an excellent job in attempting to fairly capture the varied cultural, political, religious, and social aspects of Islamic history and life in the U.S. Both volumes are well organized and easy-to-use. Volume 1 is a traditional A–Z encyclopedia and includes 285 entries covering topics in the areas of culture, education and intellectual thought, government, sexuality, and more. Examples of entries include Ali, Muhammad; Detroit; Dietary rules; Final Call newspaper; Immigration; Muslim Journal; Muslim Women’s League; Poetry; and September 11, 2001. Each entry is authored by a scholar or researcher of Islamic and American studies and provides cross-references to other encyclopedia entries as well as further readings. Entries are exceptionally well written as well as informative. Volume 2 is a diverse collection of 96 primary source documents relevant to the understanding of Islam in the U.S. It includes press briefings, speeches, position papers, essays, and other documents from government and nonprofit sources as well as from prominent individuals. These primary sources work in conjunction with the encyclopedia entries, allowing users to learn more about a topic. For example, one may read about Ingrid Mattson, the first female president of the Islamic Society of North America, in volume 1 and learn more about Mattson’s beliefs from her original writings in volume 2. A few black-and-white photographs, a selected bibliography, an index, contributor notes, and a chronology are also included. The chronology briefly notes only 30 major events, from the arrival of the first Muslim slaves in North America in 1600 until Keith Ellison’s election in 2006 as the first Muslim member of Congress, and is the one feature that might be improved upon for future editions. Encyclopedia of Islam in the United States is that unique resource: accessible enough for the general reader while providing enough depth for the scholar. It’s also a fascinating read. It should be carried in every academic and large public library. --Catherine Collins
"The Encyclopedia of Islam in the United States takes a refreshing look at Islam and Muslims from a uniquely Muslim American perspective. Hence, it is a valuable reference both to Muslims and non-Muslims alike."
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American Reference Books Annual
"This reference source provides the historic context to understand present-day practices of this complex topic. The second volume includes primary documents complementing the set by including articles, speeches, and essays for additional background information. The entries offer an objective insight for all audiences, from the general reader to the college student, and should be in all library reference collections throughout the United States."
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Ingram Library Services
"This set is reliable, up-to-date, wide-ranging, and accessible."
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School Library Journal
"The content of this pertinent and useful two-volume reference is made up of a wide variety of first-hand sources and primary documents. American Muslims tell their own stories in many of the selections, through autobiographical interviews or accounts, and through statements from Muslim-American organizations. Many selections present accounts and analysis of political and global events, including the opinions and statements of US presidents, and a wealth of polls, interviews, and studies. Terrorism and 9/11, gender and Islam, the challenges of citizenship, race, and religion are the subject of separate sections, each containing a selection of readings. Readers curious to know what American Muslims think and why and what their lives are like in the US will find this a valuable reference to enrich their knowledge."
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SciTech Book News
"This is a timely, welcome addition to reference works on Islam in the US. Recommended. Lower-level undergraduates through faculty/researchers; general readers."
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Choice
"This timely, ambitious encyclopedia set from Harvard's Center for Middle Eastern Studies is the first of its kind: an effort to provide an unbiased and accurate resource for information on the fastest growing religion in the United States. The editor and contributors do an excellent job in attempting to fairly capture the varied cultural, political, religious, and social aspects of Islamic history and life in the U.S. Both volumes are well organized and easy-to-use….Encyclopedia of Islam in the United States is that unique resource: accessible enough for the general reader while providing enough depth for the scholar. It's also a fascinating read. It should be carried in every academic and large public library."
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Booklist, Starred Review
"This new two-volume work is a major step forward, providing important, wide-ranging material in a more accessible way then has hitherto been the case. Useful as both a quick reference for researchers and a more basic source of information for those less familiar with the subject, it belongs in every mainstream university and college, many public and high school libraries, and certainly the offices of domestic and foreign policymakers….The editor (whose introduction makes a compelling case for the need for such an inclusive, balanced, and interdisciplinary reference work), the advisory board, and Harvard University's Center for Middle Eastern Studies are to be commended for producing this highly useful work."
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Multicultural Review
"The quarto two-volume format is convenient for both intensive study and quick reference. Entries are clearly displayed in a single column of text, some black and white illustrations are provide, further readings follow each entry and cross-referencing is clear and logical. This is a worthwhile addition to any school, college, university, and specialized or seminary library where low to middle level research takes place, and where higher level work needs to confirm specifics quickly. Some 80 or so contributors, mainly U.S. academics, have worked together on this impressive and useful reference book."
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Reference Reviews
"Scholarly entries and more than 400 pages of primary-source documents describe personal experiences, foreign policy, and contemporary news items, surpassing the scope of exisiting resources for upper-level students."
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Curriculum Connections
"This two-volume encyclopedia manages a challenging task. It addresses the experience of Muslim Americans within two contexts: first, their religious beliefs; and second, the politics, society and culture of the United States. The task is all the more ambitious because both Muslim Americans and the country in which they live are complex and constantly evolving. To meet its goal, Volume 1 offers A-to-Z entries that run the gamut--from hadith to hip-hop to human rights; from imam to internet to the Islamic Society of America; from prayer to politics to public intellectuals. Volume 2 provides a wide array of primary sources that address key themes, including religious life; the challenges of citizenship; terrorism and 9/11; gender, race, and Islam; and Muslim artistic and cultural expression. Taken together, the two volumes provide a comprehensive reference tool that would be a useful addition to public, school, and university libraries."
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Saudi Aramco World
