ABSTRACT
The opening up of religious discourses and a new public presence of religion has forced cultural analyses and studies to take a fresh look at the ways in which religion enters social and cultural life. Especially after 9/11, there has been a political resurgence of religion and the presence of religion in the public space is strongly felt. While most discussions of Islam have concentrated on the political sphere, especially with the two wars that have plagued parts of the Asian continent during the last decade, this collection of articles concentrates on the way that Islam impacts on the everyday aspects of lives of people who reside in what can be designated as Muslim societies, or in communities where Islam plays a big part.
