Muslims in Interwar Europe

By Bekim Agai

Book Description

This scholarly exploration reveals the untold stories of Muslim communities who shaped European society during the turbulent decades between the two world wars. Drawing from personal archives, memoirs, and correspondence, the work illuminates how Muslims navigated their spiritual and cultural identities while actively participating in European intellectual and political life.

Rather than portraying Muslims as passive observers or colonial subjects, this comprehensive study presents them as dynamic contributors to the broader European conversation. The research uncovers the complex ways these communities maintained their religious practices while engaging with the social and political movements of their time.

Through careful examination of primary sources and press writings, the authors demonstrate how Muslim individuals and groups developed sophisticated networks that connected local European experiences with global Islamic thought. These communities created spaces for spiritual practice and intellectual exchange that enriched both their own traditions and the wider European cultural landscape.

The book offers readers insight into how faith communities adapt and thrive in diverse environments while preserving their core spiritual values. For those interested in understanding how religious identity intersects with social engagement, this work provides valuable perspectives on maintaining authentic spiritual practice within complex political and cultural contexts.

This 200-page study features contributions from nine international scholars who bring diverse expertise to examining this pivotal period in European Muslim history.