Islamic Culture and Pre-Islamic Beliefs in Central Asia

<P>The introduction of Islam ushered in an era of social and cultural change to the region. Some pre-Islamic sacred places have been transformed into Islamic ones and the cult of saints absorbed elements of both local and Arab mythology. This volume which is a project initiated by the Balkan History Association focuses on Islamic culture traditions and pre-Islamic beliefs in Central Asia. The chapters emphasize the importance of religious life the significance of certain “sacred places” and their role in the socio-spiritual life. The volume includes research spanning a period from antiquity to the Post-Soviet era to explore how landscapes of religious places and practices were interpreted and reinterpreted through time.</P>