Understanding Islam and Muslim traditions : an introduction to the religious practices, celebrations, festivals, observances, beliefs, folklore, customs, and calendar system of the world's Muslim communities, including an overview of Islamic history and geography / by Tanya Gulevich ; foreword by Frederick S. Colby.

A brief introduction to Islam. Essential beliefs and practices ; Divisions within Islam ; Arabia before Islam ; The Prophet Muhammad and the birth of Islam ; The spread of Islam and the age of Islamic empires ; The achievements of Islamic civilization ; Moving beyond stereotypes ; The geography of Islam ; Holy places of Islam
Religious customs and folklore. Formal prayer ; Informal prayer ; Other devotional customs ; Mosque ; Quran ; Muhammad ; The other prophets, angels, and jinn ; Greetings and sayings ; Clothing and adornment ; Separation of the sexes ; Beliefs and practices concerning the body ; The evil eye, amulets, and charms ; Food ; The life cycle and conversion ; Symbols ; Animals ; Dance, music, poetry, and story
Calendar system, holidays and other days of observance. The Muslim calendar ; The first of Muharram ; Ashura ; Mulid al-Nabi ; Laylat al-Miraj ; Laylat al-Bara'ah ; Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr ; Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr around the world ; Laylat al-Quadr ; Hajj : pilgrimage to Mecca ; Eid al-Adha ; Friday ; Hidrellez ; Lamp nights ; White nights ; Saints and their festivals ; A closer look at a few saints' festivals.