The lines above came pat to my mind when I first looked into ‘Muslim World Almanac'. To a ‘watcher' of the printed word, the generation of the above ground-breaking work of global dimension was not only a re-visit of the unifying power of the book to gather together desperate Muslim populations through the publication of authentic information and dispelling ignorance about co-religionists living far and near on this planet but also as an initial study of a world-wide community practicing the same precepts of Islam under the two covers of a book. In retrospect, Muslim countries or for matter of that, Muslim populations have never been fairly dealt with in any standard work of repute. Certain Muslim areas of interest to metropolitan powers were covered by publications like ‘The Cambridge Encyclopedia of the Middle East and North Africa'. This served the powers that ruled over these territories. I fully agree with Mr. Jawaid Anwar Al Hassan, the Managing Editor, when he says “...and it was only with Allah's support and encouragement from our many well-wishers, sympathizers and friends that we could move ahead in our momentous and eventful journey”. When the train stops at a station, it does not mean the journey is over. The Research and Documentation Society in Karachi, which is looked after by Mr. Al Hassan, hopes to come up with more books like this one. Its motto is “to know ourselves before knowing the world”. This little known society took ‘the first step towards enlightenment' to come up with “a handy reckoner on the Muslim world”, which runs into a thousand pages presenting an objective review of Muslim life in the 21st century. It is a timely clarion call for Muslims, who slowly but surely are “climbing towards over a quarter of the world's population” to come closer. A high-powered thirteen-member Editorial Advisory Board was constituted to look into policy matters and provide guidelines for this significant project. The Board consists of a leading business man, five senior journalists, a chemical engineer and one independent individual and all of them hailing from Saudi Arabia. The remaining five include two eminent academicians, one specialist physician, an art director and an e-marketing expert. Although a Makkah-based undertaking, the infrastructure was provided by Research and Documentation Society located in Karachi. The society must be complimented for handling all the spadework admirably despite their admission that “at the Research and Documentation Society, [we] were and are quite ill-equipped to undertake and accomplish such a massive enterprise.” The successful execution of a great work of this type could alone be handled by a full-fledged board of eminent scholars and editors as above, besides requisitioning the services of experts and political analysts, who have done full justice to the topics allotted to them. Their names and affiliations have enhanced the prestige and the dignity of this publication. They with all their might have come up with a vade-mecum for the study of Muslim societies in all their historic diversity and to help assess challenges and tribulations faced by present Muslim populations whether in predominantly Muslim countries or countries with substantial Muslim communities. This reference work goes a long way to dispel misgivings about Islam by highlighting Muslims' pivotal role in presenting the true spirit of Islam and bridging the gap between Islam and the rest of the world. Not only past achievements of the Muslims have been underlined but also their present day status has been brought into focus. The important features of the Almanac include: 1) A country-wise panorama, an unobstructured scene, or comprehensive portrayal of different regions of the Muslim world. 2) Importance given to human rights and social egalitarianism by Islam. 3) The significance of such an important and widely-misunderstood Islamic institution as Jihad, or stirring for a right cause. 4) The significance and role of mosques in Muslim community life. 5) The dignity status and security of women in Islam. 6) Terrorism, extremism, sectarianism and other subversive cults and ideologies. 7) The cardinal teachings of the Glorious Qur'an and the Traditions of the Noble Prophet (Peace be upon Him). If one examines the contents, there is much more in this encyclopedia compendium. We find fourteen different subject headings. Being an almanac and a maiden issue, it has not only to deal with the glorious past but must also dwell upon the contemporary events. I could enumerate a few interalia such as; environment, presenting an Islamic perspective; current Muslim issues, dealing with the plight of Muslim minorities in Myanmar, the Philippines, Thailand and India; Islamic Banking; Muslim Institutions, covering both religious and secular present-day institutions of learning including Muslim institutions (in history); while a special section brings forth issues of Palestine, Kashmir, the dilemma in Darfur and the struggle of Chechen Muslims into limelight; besides Obituaries, the other two important areas of science and technology; and demography of Muslim countries complete with statistical data on 57 Muslim countries on social, economic, health, demographic and other 123 parameters running into 128 pages. There is the pictorial section as well which tells us more than texts do, presenting major events occurring in the world in the recent past. The colorful maps correct up to 2008 and representative flags rivet one's attention, such as after the dissolution of USSR, a few more independent Muslim countries have emerged. Profiles of 60 independent Muslim states spread over a large parts of the globe has been comprehensively presented in an objective and factorial manner with the help of statistical data. This 400 pages strong section forms the staple of the Almanac. Possibly latest information is provided succinctly and precisely under uniform headings. You can just compare and contrast the factual position of different Muslim countries in the present-day world. It may not be out of place if the tell-tale sub-headings are specified. In addition, pin-pointed and detailed information on each country is provided under standard headings the Almanac under review is a well-spring of information with a handy reference. It is presentable in get-up and attractively designed. Its printing is elegant and easy on the eye. There are two indexes. The country index is self-sufficient but the other one related to the remaining textual matter as contained in rest of 500 pages is rather inadequate, so also the list of acronyms. It is often baffling to decipher the full names of the organizations, for which a country holds its membership in good standing. These are minor points which can be improved upon. The Almanac is recommended to all and sundry, as well as students, experts and professionals. No library in a Muslim country can afford not have a copy of this book, it is a sinequa non. __
