This book explores the great diversity and range of Islamic culture through one of the finest collections in the world. Published to coincide with the historic reopening of the galleries of the Metropolitan Museum's Islamic Art Department, it presents nearly three hundred masterworks created in the rich tradition of the Islamic faith and culture. The Metropolitan's renowned holdings range chronologically from the origins of Islam in the 7th century through the 19th century, and geographically from as far west as Spain to as far east as Southeast Asia.

Published in conjunction with the reopening of the Galleries for the Art of the Arab Lands, Turkey, Iran, Central Asia, and Later South Asia on November 1, 2011.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Building a collection of Islamic art at the Metropolitan Museum, 1870-2011 / Priscilla P. Soucek A century of installations : a photo essay / Rebecca Meriwether Lindsay The new Galleries for the Art of the Arab Lands, Turkey, Iran, Central Asia, and Later South Asia / Navina Najat Haidar Art of the early caliphates (7th to 10th centuries) / Maryam D. Ekhtiar Art of Spain, North Africa, and the Western Mediterranean / Olga Bush

Art of the Eastern Islamic lands (9th to 14th centuries) / Priscilla P. Soucek Art of Egypt and Syria (10th to 16th centuries) / Stefano Carboni Art of Iran and Central Asia (15th to 19th centuries) / Sheila R. Canby Art of the Ottoman Court / Walter B. Denny Art of South Asia (14th to 19th centuries) / Navina Najat Haidar.