Bradt - Minarets In The Mountains

Beskrivelse

Discover a seldom-seen side of Europe through the eyes of Tharik Hussain, who journeys with his family across the Western Balkans and Eastern Europe to uncover the rich history of Muslim communities that have thrived there for centuries.

A revealing exploration of Europe's hidden Muslim heritage and its cultural significance.

Londoner Tharik Hussain embarks on a captivating trip with his wife and young daughters through the Western Balkans, home to Europe's largest native Muslim population. His travels extend into Eastern European regions where Islam has deeply influenced the culture and people for over 500 years.

Along the way, he encounters Muslims with striking blonde hair and blue eyes, visits mystical Islamic lodges perched on mountain slopes, and prays in mosques that predate the Sistine Chapel. Through these experiences, Hussain paints a vivid portrait of a vibrant, often overlooked Muslim Europe, rich with breathtaking history, mesmerizing culture, and a distinct identity.

Minarets in the Mountains stands out as the first English travel narrative by a Muslim author on this subject, delving into the roots of European Islamophobia while also offering personal reflections on identity as Britons, Europeans, and Muslims. Following the path of the famed Ottoman traveler Evliya Celebi, Hussain and his family remind us that Europe’s heritage is as Muslim as it is Christian, Jewish, or pagan.

Echoing the immersive storytelling of William Dalrymple’s In Xanadu and the introspective journey of Kapka Kassabova’s Border, this book unveils forgotten Muslim communities, empires, and rulers. It challenges readers to reflect on what shapes their own identities-and who holds the power to define them.

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