Performing Religion: Actors contexts and texts : Case studies on Islam Performing Religion investigates the relationship between texts actors and contexts in the study of Islam. Research in Islamic Studies to date has taken texts primarily as a medium of information. This volume emphasizes the material quality of texts both written and oral. It focuses on the sound and rhythm of their performance on nonverbal elements and practices of framing and embedding. Performing Religion also looks at the interpretation of religious practices not based on lengthy textual foundations but which nevertheless constitute an important part of believers lives. The assembled case studies encompass contemporary as well as historic perspectives and include examples from Andalusia Egypt Italy Greater Syria Turkey Central Asia Yemen Iran and India.Part I explores objects actions and notions in the context of the acquisition of blessing ( baraka ). Part II asks how believers use alter and publically enact texts in ritual settings and what kinds of performance are inscribed into the text. Part III analyses the negotiation of meanings aesthetics and identity which occurs in new and often transcultural contexts. Rather than viewing texts as a repository of ideas the present volume accentuates their ritual functions and the aesthetic experiences they provide.