Encyclopedia of Islam Three follows its distinguished predecessors, also published by the respected Belgian publisher, Brill: the first edition of the Encyclopedia began publication in 1913 and the second “new” Encyclopedia in 1960. Both are massive and important reference works—“monuments of erudition”– but seriously outdated and limited by the assumptions of their times.

The current EI3, which has just produced the first part of its first volume: “Abbas Hilmi II” to “Ayyubid Art and Architecture” is broader in scope, covering full range of historical and contemporary topics across the entire Islamic world, including South and Southeast Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa. The contributing scholars are first-rate; the scope is ambitious and inclusive.

The generous donation of Professor Sherif El Wakil and the Islamic Scholarship Fund to purchase this important reference work greatly valued and appreciated.