Architecture, religion, language, and anthropology are among the perspectives contributors bring as they discuss Muslim societies today. The first section is topical, looking at such areas as family life, education and employments, institutions and organizations, civil and human rights, and Islamism. The rest of the volume is devoted to essays on Muslim society in various countries and regions, among them the Eastern Mediterranean and the Arabian Peninsula, sub-Saharan Africa, Central Asia, Turkey and Eastern Europe, the US and Canada, and Australia and the Pacific. Color photographs are included throughout, mostly for the benefit of the juvenile readers the book addresses. Annotation ©2011 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)