<p>This edited volume is an exceptional addition vis-à-vis the study of Islam in Central Asia. It provides numerous insights into the ways Islamic ideology interacts with society and the nation-state building efforts undertaken by countries of the region. . . . The book has immense value for Central Asian studies, and it will benefit academics and researchers as well as policymakers and students focusing on Central Eurasia.</p>
Acta Via Serica
<p><i>Islam, Society, and Politics in Central Asia </i>tackles a topic of crucial concern for scholars and policymakers alike. Moving well beyond the punditry that characterizes most discussions, this truly interdisciplinary endeavor provides much-needed scholarship about Islam built upon well-considered fieldwork. In doing so, it makes a powerful case for grounding our knowledge in the realities of the region.</p>
Edward Schatz, University of Toronto
During the 1990s, there was a consensus that Central Asia was witnessing an Islamic revival after independence, and that this would follow similar events throughout the Islamic world in the prior two decades, which had negative effects on both social and political development. Twenty years later, we are still struggling to fully understand the transformation of Islam in a region that's evolved through a complex and dynamic process, involving diversity in belief and practice, religious authority, and political intervention. This volume sheds light on these crucial questions by bringing together an international group of scholars who offer a fresh perspective on Central Asian states and societies.