Shi'i Islam and Identity ─ Religion, Politics and Change in the Global Muslim Community

The contemporary world is increasingly regarded as a global community in which traditional patterns of social organization, faith and practice are rapidly being transformed. These changes are evident in many religious traditions, and Shi'i Islam is no exception. This book seeks to investigate the nature of contemporary Shi'ism, focusing on the creation of identities - showing the diversity of thought within the Shi'i world, the transnational nature of Shi'i networks, and the forces of tradition and modernity influencing current developments in Shi'i identity. Increasing contacts between East and West have made the presence of Shi'ism more visible in the modern world, especially in Europe. Shi'i Islam and Identity shows that it is no longer sufficient to speak of a "Shi'i Crescent"; rather, Shi'i worlds range from Senegal, Afghanistan, Iran and Iraq, to Turkey, Albania and European capitals such as London and Berlin.