This atlas extends from the time of Muhammad to the 2003 Iraq war. Ninety-four full-color maps and more than fifty pictures of Islamic art and architecture are pulled together by well-informed and relatively brief text (about sixty chapters, most lavishly illustrated, are covered in slightly less than two hundred pages). In addition to broad coverage of Islamic history, the religious diversity among Muslims, and political current flash points, there is attention to the Crusades, European colonialism, mosques in the United States, Islamic arts, and even Muslim cinema and Internet use. (from Currents in Theology and Mission review)
"All the standard historical material is here, plus premodern military recruitment patterns, Muslims in world trade and exploration, Islam beyond the Middle East (including the US and Europe), and the often-overlooked importance of Central Asia, as examples." (from CHOICE review by S. Isaac)

"An impressive melding of the authors' Sunni Muslim beliefs and scholarly training that uses the principles of phenomenology to show the development of Islamic culture from Islamic religious beliefs [...] The general index gives the book what use it has for access to particular topics, and its lavish use of maps, charts, photographs, and other illustrations may qualify it for one or another definition of 'atlas'." (from CHOICE review by S. J. Steinberg.)

"National Geographic provides extraordinary coverage of the region, rich with history and culture but ravaged by war and conflict [...] A variety of themes are presented, from religion, population, and ethnic and linguistic groups to oil, fresh water, and development indicators such as trade, foreign aid, infant mortality, urbanization, and education." (from CHOICE review by P. J. Beegle)

"The Muslim Almanac introduces readers to Islam, its roots, and how it affects cultures today. The almanac is divided into 12 subject parts, which range from "The Beginnings and Foundations of Islam" and "The History and Extension of Islam" to "Literary Expressions in Islam" and "Women and Their Contributions to Islam." "The History and Extension of Islam" contains chapters on each country or area in which Islam is a major religion." (from ARBA review by L. Blessing)

"Focuses on population, religious structures, education, community development, social services, media, public affairs, and various other facets of this community [...] contains several topical essays on historical and contemporary social themes, consistently weaving in the main organizations and individuals that support the Muslim community." (from CHOICE review by B. D. Singleton).

"A volume exclusively on Arab organizations would have been a challenge. Expansion to address larger Islamic organizations makes the task impossible [...] The volume has good descriptions of the selected entries. Valuable auxiliary features include a short chronology of Arab and Middle Eastern history, a narrative historical introduction, and a useful selected topical bibliography." (from ARBA review by J. Dunn)

6 vols + 20 supplements. "Although the entries give ample attention to historical periods, the major focus rests on modern issues [...] the scope covers a wide range of topics, e.g., divorce and custody, domestic violence, fatwa, honor, hospitality, inheritance, kinship, Islamic and non-Islamic systems of law, modesty discourses, motherhood, political parties and participation, political regimes, political social movements, public office, stereotypes, and women's rights." (from CHOICE review by S. M. Estelle-Holmer)