Minarets in the Mountains: A Journey Into Muslim Europe (Bradt Travel Guides (Travel Literature))
£7.40£9.50 (-22%)
SHORTLISTED IN THE EDWARD STANFORD WRITING AWARDS: Stanford Dolman Travel Book of the Year
LONGLISTED FOR THE BAILLIE GIFFORD PRIZE 2021
“A moving book” – Lucy Beckett, Times Literary Supplement Books of the Year 2021
“Fascinating” – Washington Post (Travel Books of the Year 2021)
“Eye-opening” – Conde Nast Traveller (ME)
“Charming” – Prospect magazine Best Books of 2021
“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 fascinating insight into the living legacy of Islam in Europe” – Levison Wood
“A richly detailed travelogue by a humane and compassionate pilgrim” – Tim Mackintosh-Smith
“A fascinating book” – Sunday Express
A magical, eye-opening account of a journey into a Europe that rarely makes the news and is in danger of being erased altogether. Another Europe. A Europe few people believe exists and many wish didn’t. Muslim Europe.
Writer Tharik Hussain sets off with his wife and young daughters around the Western Balkans, home to the largest indigenous Muslim population in Europe, to explore a region where Islam has shaped places and people for more than half a millennium.
Encountering blonde-haired, blue-eyed Muslims, visiting mystical Islamic lodges clinging to the side of mountains, and praying in mosques older than the Sistine Chapel, he paints a picture of a hidden Muslim Europe, a vibrant place with a breathtaking history, spellbinding culture and unique identity.
Minarets in The Mountains the first English travel narrative by a Muslim writer on this subject, also explores the historical roots of European Islamophobia. Tharik and his family learn lessons about themselves and their own identity as Britons, Europeans, and Muslims. Following in the footsteps of renowned Ottoman traveller Evliya Celebi, they remind us that Europe is as Muslim as it is Christian, Jewish or pagan.
Like William Dalrymple’s In Xanadu, this is a vivid reimagining of a region’s cultural heritage, unveiling forgotten Muslim communities, empires and their rulers; and like Kapka Kassabova’s Border, it is a quest that forces us to consider what makes up our own identities, and more importantly, who decides?
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Additional information
| Publisher | Bradt Travel Guides (15 July 2021) |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Paperback | 264 pages |
| ISBN-10 | 1784778281 |
| ISBN-13 | 978-1784778286 |
| Dimensions | 13.21 x 2.11 x 20.07 cm |
by Zaneeb Imtiaz
An enthralling read which kept me engaged throughout as the two main themes are based on my own passion for travelling and interest in learning about Muslim history/heritage.
“Minarets in the Mountains” is a travelogue by Tharik Hussain where he sets off on a road trip with his wife and daughters around the Western Balkans, home to the largest indigenous Muslim population in Europe.
As readers, we are taken on a journey through the three Muslim-majority countries – Bosnia, Albania and Kosovo – and three neighbouring countries with rich Muslim heritage and communities – Serbia, North Macedonia and Montenegro.
The author uses the Seyahatname (book of travels) by the famous Ottoman Turkish traveller, Evliya Çelebi from the 16th century, as a guide and companion for his trip. The book explores the homeland and living legacy of Islam in Europe, and the shared heritage of Muslims, Jews and Christians.
Whilst reading, I was able to relate and connect to a number of places the author visited and described as I have also travelled there, which made me feel nostalgic in a grateful way! The book has left me wanting to travel and explore more of the Balkans such as Albania and Macedonia. Although I am still not convinced about Serbia despite the author opening my eyes to the Muslim history and community which still exists out there.
I wish the book included more photographs of the places the author visited as they would have complemented the descriptions, and provided a richer reading experience. When I mentioned this part of my feedback to the author, his response was interesting. He said that part of him also wishes there were more photos but as a writer, he wanted to leave things to the imagination which is a much more powerful and pleasant experience, especially in an age of over stimulation of images! I think he made a valid and excellent point! ☺️
Overall, an excellent book and I definitely recommend it!
by carmi_c
I bought this book as passionate about geopolitics, balkans and ethic contamination. This volume even if claim to get some like it , it is something totally different. It is ok when describes the Islam sites in the balkans , quite interesting but the more you read it and the more you detect the inaccuracy of the historical report : eg when talks about the pact of alambra, reporting that the Catholics king threatened the Jews of death them if not converting. So they escaped and the great Ottoman Empire was the only one in history permitting the co-live with Muslims. This is totally wrong, even a Wikipedia check , or a basic history knowledge will not prove it. What is really concerning if that to report this is a history teacher. There is a shaming of other religions- episode of of st James- which is quite embarrassing considering there is barely a mention of the “cons” of islam. This book was not supposed to be celebration of a religion in specific and to shame other historical population while making the ovation of the Ottoman Empire. If the author wishes to criticize historical events like Albanian dictatorship- Christian reconquista- must be equal and talk about the dark site of the ottoman empire not celebrate it from the very first moment. I felt at end of the volume like manipulate in the info I have acquired and able to understand the mistakes just because I got a bit of historical knowledge . What about the rest of the readers?
by Zeinab
As a traveller who oft enjoys exploring a little off the beaten track, this was a delightful read, particularly given my interest in the history of Islam and comparative faiths. Informative. Surprising. And all experienced by folk with a real personal interest. Loved it.
by KC007
Great read. Brings Bosnia alive.
by Sal
You learn alot from this book
by Tzele.B
A book about Islamic Europe written by an observant and discerning muslim largely following in the footsteps of the Ottoman traveller Evliya Chelebi.
Tharik talks with many ordinary folk along way without resorting to “helicopter thinking”. Some interesting slants on the recent history of the Balkans.
by Cliff
The author sets out to re-discover, with his wife and 2 daughters, what remains of the European Muslim culture of the western Balkans. The result is a very incisive travelogue which shows what a fantastic culture these countries once had and also still cling to in some areas. The ethnic and religious tolerance of the great Ottoman empire and the later religious rivalries and hatred are discussed with impartiality. Like all great travelogues, the author balances the stunning buildings with homely discussions he had with locals about everyday life, the wars, and their faith – and the future.
If you enjoy good travel writing this book will give much pleasure.
by Robin Fitz
I found this interesting as someone who first visited the Balkans in the 1980s before the wars, and very much enjoyed Sarajevo as a city and a community. I remember the slim minarets, which surprised me, and the turbes dotted throughout the city. So it was fascinating to read the journey of a British Muslim, wishing to find out more about Europe’s own indigenous, almost unknown, Islamic countries and communities.
Also interesting to read about how much the conflicts of the early 1990s have torn apart and remodelled these communities. The book is written in an unaffected and personal style, as the author journeys with his young family. I liked the straightforward writing, and his insights, including his personal feelings about the various strands of Islamic practice. Recommended to anyone interested in this part of Europe or in contemporary Islam.