Emdad Rahman
British travel writer, East Londoner, Stepney FC legend Tharik Hussain’s debut book, Minarets in the Mountains; a Journey into Muslim Europe has entered the Amazon top ten for travel writing books within days of being available for pre order.
The book, which describes a journey Hussain and his family took around the Western Balkans exploring Europe’s indigenous Muslim culture, communities and heritage also peaked at number two in Amazon’s Islamic History category and number five in the Islam category this week.
The feat is all the more remarkable given Hussain’s book was the only one in the top ten of all three categories without a single review and won’t be available to read until June.
The Londoner, who has also written guides to Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Thailand for Lonely Planet says there are a number of reasons for this.
“I think people right now want to hear other voices in literature, especially as the travel literature genre are spaces for a very narrow, white, middle class demographic. This has meant that a vast number of readers have only experienced that perspective to shape their world view”
Hussain, an award winning radio documentary maker believes the support of his community has played a huge part in projecting this must read.
He added, “I am probably one of the only Muslim travel writers out there and for me to write about Muslim culture, especially an indigenous European one, is a completely new thing, and I think that caught the public’s imagination when the book went on pre release.
“Whether it is the Muslim, British-Bangladeshi or Travel Writing community, I have been overwhelmed by the number of messages of encouragement I have received from all over the world. Many people not only pre ordered the book but then shared it on their platforms. It really has been very touching all the support I am getting.”
In 2019 Hussain created Britain’s first Muslim heritage trails in Woking. His book synopsis describes a magical, eye-opening account of a journey into a magical part of Europe that rarely makes the news and is in danger of being erased altogether. It is “another Europe.” A Europe few people believe exists and many wish didn’t. It is about Muslim Europe.
Minarets in the Mountains describes Hussain and his family making their way through six countries, three of which have Muslim-majority populations, meeting locals, wandering through stunning landscapes, exploring six centuries of fascinating Islamic heritage and reminding readers that Europe has a rich and storied Islamic heritage.
Hussain, a Fellow of the Centre for Religion and Heritage, University of Groningen, specialises in Muslim heritage, and highlights little-known architectural gems like the Visegrad Bridge in Bosnia, built by the famous Ottoman architect Mimar Sinan and time spent in Berat in Albania, a stunning historic town that has changed little over the centuries.
In 2017 Hussain was named one of Britain’s most inspiring British Bangladeshis
The book also sees The Lonely Planet Travel Author following in the footsteps of the Ottoman traveller Evliya Celebi, who wandered through many of the same places during the 17th century when the entire region truly was Muslim Europe.
Minarets in the Mountains; a journey into Muslim Europe will be published by Bradt Guides in June 2021 and is available now for UK pre order at both Amazon and Waterstones and on Wordery soon for international delivery.