Encyclopedia of Women and Islamic Cultures

The Encyclopedia of Women and Islamic Cultures is a comprehensive reference work examining gender studies across the Islamic world. This six-volume encyclopedia brings together research from over 1,000 scholars worldwide, covering 410 distinct topics through 1,246 articles. The encyclopedia explores the experiences of both Muslim women globally and non-Muslim women in Islamic societies. Published between 2003 and 2007, it continues to expand through an online database that adds 50-60 new scholarly articles annually. The work encompasses a broad range of disciplines including art, literature, religious practices, politics, science, health, and education. Its scope extends to all regions and cultures where Islam has had significant influence on society and cultural development. This unprecedented scholarly collection represents a major contribution to the academic understanding of women's roles and experiences in Islamic contexts. The encyclopedia serves as a foundation for research across multiple disciplines while documenting the diversity and complexity of women's lives in Islamic cultures.

Readers find this academic reference work useful but expensive. The comprehensive scope and inclusion of both historical and contemporary topics received mentions in several reviews. Muslim and non-Muslim scholars have cited the encyclopedia's balanced coverage of diverse viewpoints and practices across different Islamic cultures. Readers appreciated: - Depth of research and citations - Coverage of lesser-known regions and topics - Inclusion of both secular and religious perspectives - High-quality production and images Main criticisms: - High price point limits accessibility - Some Western biases in certain entries - Uneven depth across topics - Technical language can be challenging for general readers Ratings: Goodreads: 4.2/5 (12 ratings) WorldCat: Multiple academic libraries recommend it No Amazon reviews available due to specialist academic nature Note: Limited public reviews exist since this is primarily an academic library reference work priced for institutions rather than individual readers.

Women and Gender in Islam by Leila Ahmed This historical analysis traces women's roles in Islamic societies from pre-Islamic Middle East through medieval and modern times.

Women in Islam: An Anthology from the Quran and Hadiths by Nicholas Awde This reference work presents primary Islamic texts relating to women's status, rights, and roles in Islamic society.

Inside the Gender Jihad: Women's Reform in Islam by Amina Wadud The book examines Islamic theology through female scholars' interpretations and experiences of Muslim women activists.

Women in Muslim Family Law by Natana J. DeLong-Bas This study explores Islamic legal traditions regarding marriage, divorce, and women's rights across different Muslim societies.

Politics of Piety: The Islamic Revival and the Feminist Subject by Saba Mahmood This ethnographic research investigates women's participation in the mosque movement in Cairo and their relationship with Islamic doctrine.

🔹 The encyclopedia includes contributions from scholars representing over 50 different countries, making it one of the most geographically diverse academic collaborations in Islamic studies. 🔹 Dr. Suad Joseph, the editor-in-chief, is a renowned anthropologist who has dedicated over four decades to studying family relationships and women's rights in the Middle East, particularly in Lebanon. 🔹 The work took nearly 12 years to complete its initial six volumes, with the first volume published in 2003 and the final volume released in 2007. 🔹 The encyclopedia breaks new ground by being the first major reference work to document the experiences of both Muslim and non-Muslim women in Islamic societies across all historical periods. 🔹 Each print volume weighs approximately 5 pounds, with the complete set containing over 2,000,000 words of scholarship spread across more than 6,000 pages.