Focus: The Sounds of Islam

Focus: The Sounds of Islam focuses on the influence of Islam on the sonic practices of Muslim-majority societies. Centrally, it describes the position and role of sound within the Islamic religion, and in relation to the musics of Muslim-majority societies more generally. It encompasses a broad survey of the Islamic soundscape, examining the role of sound in Islamic practices throughout the world, each considered in its socio-cultural and historical contexts. Included within this survey is background information about Islam; an exploration of Islamic concepts, attitudes, and perspectives about music and sound; a critique of "music in the world of Islam" as a coherent category; key musical concepts underlying the sounds of Islam; and an assessment of the diversity of sonic practices carrying Islamic significance, and of their bidirectional relations (both influencing, and influenced by) to broader musical culture. Descriptions of these practices is enriched with sound recordings, transcriptions, texts, maps, and photographs. The accompanying audio CD offers vivid musical examples and the companion website include resources for both students and instructors.