title: Islam: The View from the Edge
author: Richard Bulliet
description: Richard Bulliet's timely account provides the essential background for understanding the contemporary resurgence of Muslim activism around the globe. Why, asks Bulliet, did Islam become so rooted in the social structure of the Middle East and North Africa, as well as in those parts of Asia and Africa to which it spread after the tenth century? In assessing the historical evolution of Islamic society, Bulliet abandons the historian's typical habit of viewing Islamic history "from the center", that is, focusing on the rise and fall of imperial dynasties. Instead, he examines the question of how and why Islam became - and continues to be - so rooted in the social structure of the vast majority of people who lived far from the political center and did not see the caliphate as essential in their lives. Focusing on Iran, and especially the cities of Isfahan, Gorgan, and Nishapur, Bulliet examines a wide range of issues, including religious conversion; migration and demographic trends; the changing functions and fortunes of cities and urban life; and the roots and meaning of religious authority. The origins of today's resurgence, notes Bulliet, are located in the eleventh century. "The nature of Islamic religious authority and the source of its profound impact upon the lives of Muslims - the Muslims of yesterday, of today, and of tomorrow - cannot be grasped without comprehending the historical evolution of Islamic society", he writes. "Nor can such a comprehension be gained from a cursory perusal of the central narrative of Islam. The view from the edge is needed, because, in truth the edge ultimately creates the center".
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  ![](../images/00001.jpeg)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Published by Acorn Press Ltd, ABN 50 008 549 540
  
  
  
  
  
  Office and orders:
  
  
  
  
  
  PO Box 282
  
  
  
  
  
  Brunswick East
  
  
  
  
  
  Victoria 3057
  
  
  
  
  
  Australia
  
  
  
  
  
  Tel/Fax (03) 9383 1266
  
  
  
  
  
  International Tel/Fax 61 3 9383 1266
  
  
  
  
  
  Website: [www.acornpress.net.au](http://www.acornpress.net.au)
  
  
  
  
  
  © John Azumah and Peter Riddell 2013
  
  
  
  
  
  National Library of Australia Cataloguing-in-Publication entry:
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Title:
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Islam and Christianity on the edge: talking points in Christian-Muslim
  relations into the 21st century/
  
  
  
  
  
  edited by John Azumah, Peter Riddell.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ISBN:
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  9780987132949 (pbk.)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  eBook ISBN:
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  9780987428608
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Notes:
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Includes index.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Subjects:
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Islam – Relations – Christianity.
  
  
  
  
  
  Christianity and other religions – Islam.
  
  
  
  
  
  Islam – 21st century.
  
  
  
  
  
  Christianity – 21st century.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Edito