Islam and the Middle East

This topic guide offers resources related to the study of Islam as a world religion as well as the cultures, histories, and current events of the Middle East region. However, it is important to note that this guide is not comprehensive, and the "Middle East" itself encompasses a vast area with tremendous diversity across many distinct cultures, ethnicities, languages, and nations. The Middle East region contains multitudes of rich, complex cultures shaped by unique histories, peoples, and contexts. Similarly, Islam is a major world religion that has taken diverse local forms and interpretations in different societies over the centuries.

This guide is intended to introduce readers to resources from the Library and available online that can help them start to understand the complexities of Islam and the Middle East region. However, please keep in mind the limitations of these general categories. For many topics, further in-depth research will be required to appreciate the specifics of different contexts, communities, and perspectives.

Introductory Resources