Minarets in the Mountains

Tharik Hussain is an author, travel writer and journalist who specialises on Muslim heritage and culture, especially across the western hemisphere. Tharik's previous work has often served to decolonise popular religious and cultural histories and narratives. He is the creator of Britain's first Muslim heritage trails and has produced award-winning radio for the BBC on America's earliest mosques and Muslim communities. Tharik has written about his travels exploring Muslim culture and heritage across the globe for many of the world's leading media brands and is the author of several travel guides for Lonely Planet, including Saudi Arabia (shortlisted for a Travel Media Award), Bahrain and Thailand. He has been named one of the UK's most inspiring British Bangladeshis and is a Fellow at the University of Groningen's Centre for Religion and Heritage.

"'How can we care about something we don't even know is there?' asks Tharik Hussain. Europe has long turned a blind eye or, worse, looked askance, at its own Islamic self - the Muslims of the Balkans. Tharik Hussain opens our eyes to this vivid, varied and still vital Muslim presence. His title is romantic, but not his vision: he ignores neither current sectarian tensions, nor histories scarred by violence and hatred. And yet he constantly reminds us of the long periods of tolerance and symbiosis, often forgotten in the din of war. This is a richly detailed travelogue by a humane and passionate pilgrim."Tim Mackintosh-Smith"An unapologetic odyssey to unearth the hidden and unmistakable gems of Muslim Europe. a must-read." Muslim News"Richly layered with personal observations, anecdotes and encounters. packed with fascinating historical insights." The New Arab"A fascinating book."The Sunday Express"Enjoyable and thought-provoking. a refreshing rediscovery of the Muslim history and communities of the Balkans."Jewish Times."Eye-opening"Conde Nast Traveller (ME)"A deep dive into the historical roots of European Islamophobia, and the places where Muslim Europe still exists make this one of the most compelling books for readers who wish to see the world through a wider lens." Forbes"A tour through the Balkans unearthing Islamic European history. I appreciated the depth of his research and the lightness of touch in his many fascinating encounters"Johnny Pitts, New Statesman Books of the Year 2021"A moving book" - Lucy Beckett, Times Literary Supplement Books of the Year 2021

• ContentsIntroduction An Intimate Tolerance - Palamartsa, Bulgaria Part One: Bosnia and HerzegovinaAn Ottoman City - Sarajevo The Bridge Built by Barbarians - Mostar Mystics and Mountains - Blagaj The Bloody Bridge on the Drina - Visegrad Part Two: Serbia and KosovoSerbia's Dirty Little Secret - Rudine and Sjenica 'A Muslim Town' - Novi Pazar Pokémon in Hammams - Novi Pazar The Grandfather of Muslim Europe - Pristina, Kosovo An Orthodox Town - Nis Part Three: North MacedoniaWhose Heritage Is It, Anyway? - Skopje A Macedonian Imam - Skopje The Fool's Tekke - Tetovo Part Four: AlbaniaTaken by Albanians - Vlore A Beer with a Muslim - Llogara National Park The Town 'Addicted to Prayer' - Gjirokaster The House the Pasha Built - Gjirokaster A Fairy-Tale Ottoman Village - Berat Capitals Old and New - Durres, Tirana and Kruje Part Five: MontenegroMuslim Montenegro - Podgorica Part Six: Return to Bosnia and HerzegovinaThe Effendi's Library - Foca and Zenica Coffee with Bosnian Kings - Vranduk and Travnik Dumped for De Niro - Sarajevo Back in 'Jerusalem' - Sarajevo Remembrance in Sarajevo - Sarajevo Glossary Acknowledgements