Erich Kolig is an honorary fellow in religion and former senior lecturer (reader) in social anthropology at the University of Otago, New Zealand. He is formerly a visiting professor of cultural anthropology at the University of Vienna.

Kolig’s anthropological approach brings valuable nuance to understanding competing notions of the 'essence of Islam' and 'Muslim diversity.' The book deals with Islam in an accessible and stimulating way through the treatment of a series of topical and fascinating subjects. The end result is a work that provides broad coverage combined with perceptive insights from other cultural settings.

• AcknowledgmentsIntroductionChapter 1: Unity in PluralityChapter 2: Islamic LawChapter 3: Islamic CommensalityChapter 4: Vexing Questions About Gender Relations and WomenChapter 5: Sartorial ConundrumsChapter 6: The Intellectual Ingredient of Freedom and LevityChapter 7: Islamic Politics and LeadershipChapter 8: Sacred Violence, Martyrs, and Secret SocietiesEpilogueAbout the AuthorIndex

Erich Kolig is an honorary fellow in religion and former senior lecturer (reader) in social anthropology at the University of Otago, New Zealand. He is formerly a visiting professor of cultural anthropology at the University of Vienna.

Kolig’s anthropological approach brings valuable nuance to understanding competing notions of the 'essence of Islam' and 'Muslim diversity.' The book deals with Islam in an accessible and stimulating way through the treatment of a series of topical and fascinating subjects. The end result is a work that provides broad coverage combined with perceptive insights from other cultural settings.

• AcknowledgmentsIntroductionChapter 1: Unity in PluralityChapter 2: Islamic LawChapter 3: Islamic CommensalityChapter 4: Vexing Questions About Gender Relations and WomenChapter 5: Sartorial ConundrumsChapter 6: The Intellectual Ingredient of Freedom and LevityChapter 7: Islamic Politics and LeadershipChapter 8: Sacred Violence, Martyrs, and Secret SocietiesEpilogueAbout the AuthorIndex

Erich Kolig is an honorary fellow in religion and former senior lecturer (reader) in social anthropology at the University of Otago, New Zealand. He is formerly a visiting professor of cultural anthropology at the University of Vienna.

Kolig’s anthropological approach brings valuable nuance to understanding competing notions of the 'essence of Islam' and 'Muslim diversity.' The book deals with Islam in an accessible and stimulating way through the treatment of a series of topical and fascinating subjects. The end result is a work that provides broad coverage combined with perceptive insights from other cultural settings.

• AcknowledgmentsIntroductionChapter 1: Unity in PluralityChapter 2: Islamic LawChapter 3: Islamic CommensalityChapter 4: Vexing Questions About Gender Relations and WomenChapter 5: Sartorial ConundrumsChapter 6: The Intellectual Ingredient of Freedom and LevityChapter 7: Islamic Politics and LeadershipChapter 8: Sacred Violence, Martyrs, and Secret SocietiesEpilogueAbout the AuthorIndex