AN ENCYCLOPEDIC COMPENDIUM OF MUSLIM COMMUNITIES IN THE WORLD

Muslims number about 3200 million individuals in the world. Constituting about a quarter of its total population, they inhabit mainly the continents of Asia, Africa, Europe and Oceania and are in substantial number in South and North America and Australia and New Zealand. Muslims inhabit almost every nook and corner of the world. Quite a few encyclopedic works on lands, people, races and ethnic groups deal with information on various religious communities including Muslims.

We do not have adequate information about this global community anywhere at one place. Therefore, there is a need to bring out an encyclopedic compendium of the Muslim communities or ethnic groups on a global scale. This should provide information on all groups on the size of their population on their origin and the state of their development, the details of their society, culture and economy to create awareness among them about each other and the need and scope for cooperative relationship. Its main aim/object of such a compendium will be to furnish correct and accurate information at one place with positive objectives.

The projects will contribute to 5 volumes on following basis:

1. SOUTH EAST ASIA (Published)
2. SOUTH ASIA (Published)
3. CENTRAL ASIA, CAUCASIA & EAST ASIA (Published)
4. WESTERN ASIA (being readied for press)
5. REST OF THE WORLD (is in progress)

Basically this project will give bird's eye view on Muslim population, drawn on variety of races and racial types, tribes, castes, ethnic and linguistic groups maintaining their distinct identities, traditions and sub-cultures at the same time owing allegiance to creed that lays emphasis on harmony based on tolerance for variety.

Three volumes got published, remaining two is in progress.