Russia's Muslim Frontiers: New Directions in Cross-Cultural Analysis

Russia's Muslim Frontiers examines the complex relationship between Russia and its Muslim populations, focusing on the regions along Russia's southern borders. The book analyzes historical patterns of interaction between Russian authorities and Muslim communities from the imperial period through the Soviet era. The text combines anthropological research with political analysis to document how Islamic identity has persisted and evolved within Russian spheres of influence. Contributors explore topics including religious education, local governance, and cultural preservation across different Muslim ethnic groups and geographical areas. This collection of essays provides context for understanding contemporary tensions and developments in Russia's Muslim regions. The various chapters examine both official policies and grassroots movements that have shaped Muslim life under Russian rule. The work raises broader questions about how imperial powers interact with religious and ethnic minorities, and the role of borders in shaping cultural identity. These themes remain relevant for analyzing current dynamics between Russia and its Muslim populations.

There are not enough internet reviews to create a summary of this book. Instead, here is a summary of reviews of Dale F. Eickelman's overall work: Readers value Eickelman's ability to explain complex Islamic concepts and social dynamics to non-specialist audiences. His books receive particular notice for avoiding orientalist stereotypes while maintaining academic rigor. What readers liked: - Clear explanations of how Muslim societies adapt to modernity - Thorough research backed by firsthand fieldwork in Morocco - Balanced treatment of religious and political topics - Accessible writing style for academic works What readers disliked: - Dense theoretical sections in some books - Limited coverage of women's perspectives - High textbook prices - Some dated examples in older editions Ratings across platforms: - "Knowledge and Power in Morocco" - 4.1/5 on Goodreads (42 ratings) - "Muslim Politics" - 3.9/5 on Goodreads (89 ratings) - "The Middle East and Central Asia: An Anthropological Approach" - 3.8/5 on Amazon (15 reviews) One graduate student reviewer noted: "Eickelman presents complex anthropological theories in an approachable way without oversimplifying." A common criticism from undergraduates was that some chapters required extensive background knowledge of Islamic history.

Islam in Russia: From the Historical to the Contemporary by Galina M. Yemelianova This work examines the evolution of Muslim communities in Russia from the medieval period through modern times, with focus on political and cultural integration.

The New Central Asia: The Creation of Nations by Olivier Roy The book analyzes the formation of Muslim identities and national boundaries in Central Asian states following the collapse of the Soviet Union.

Russia and Islam: State, Society and Radicalism by Roland Dannreuther and Luke March The text explores the relationship between Russian state policies and Islamic communities, with emphasis on security challenges and social integration.

Muslims in Central Asia: Expressions of Identity and Change by Jo-Ann Gross This study presents the historical development and contemporary dynamics of Muslim populations across Central Asian territories, focusing on cultural practices and religious traditions.

Islam in Post-Soviet Russia: Public and Private Faces by Hilary Pilkington and Galina Yemelianova The work documents the transformation of Muslim communities in Russia after 1991, examining religious revival, institutional changes, and identity formation.

🔹 Dale F. Eickelman is a prominent anthropologist at Dartmouth College who has spent over four decades studying Islam, the Middle East, and Muslim societies, making him one of the leading Western scholars in this field. 🔹 The book examines how Muslim communities in Russia and former Soviet states maintained their religious and cultural identities despite decades of Soviet-era restrictions and secularization policies. 🔹 The Volga-Ural region, discussed extensively in the book, has been home to Muslim Tatars since the 13th century and represents one of the oldest continuous Muslim populations in Russia. 🔹 The research challenges common Western assumptions about Islam in Russia by showing how local Muslim communities adapted and evolved differently from those in the Middle East or Central Asia. 🔹 Published in 1993, the book was one of the first major academic works to examine the re-emergence of Islamic identity in post-Soviet Russia, making it a pioneering study in this field.