Front cover with Inner spread of Encounters with Muslim Nomads by Luqman Nagy. Islamic history and geography book by Ta-Ha Publishers

Front cover of Encounters with Muslim Nomads by Luqman Nagy. Islamic history and geography book by Ta-Ha Publishers

Encounters with Muslim Nomads

The Wandering People who have Shaped the Islamic World

Luqman Nagy

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Who better to teach us how to be in this world than a true traveller? Former nomad and environmental activist, Luqman Nagy, recounts the remarkable lives and practices of the Muslim nomads that he closely experienced, transporting us from the mountains of Central Asia to the deserts of North Africa with his dynamic recollections and hand-drawings of all the tribes that he encountered along the way. Suitable for teens and adults.

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Description

In a world where we are continually being told that we would be happier if only we had the latest gadgets, Encounters with Muslim Nomads is a refreshing read. It is a heartfelt, first-hand account by Luqman Nagy, a conscious traveller and environmental activist, who spent decades living alongside the very people he describes.

From the rugged mountains of Central Asia to the vast deserts of North Africa, Nagy introduces you to a resilient, faithful people who are the true custodians of the earth. Using a unique blend of personal storytelling and his own hand-drawn illustrations, he shows us how these wandering people have shaped Islamic history not through what they owned, but through how they lived. We have never needed to know and learn from these people than we do now.

This premium paperback, finished with elegant French flaps and full-colour pages throughout, is designed to be a unique addition to your home library and can be enjoyed by the whole family.
Why You Need This Book
Glimpse a Prophetic lifestyle: Learn the practical reality of the Bukhari hadith, “Be in this world as if you were a stranger or a traveller” through real-life examples of people who embody it every day.

Understand sustainable living: Discover how a sustainable, low-impact lifestyle is actually ingrained in Islamic tradition and how we can apply these eco-friendly lessons to our modern homes.

Visually rich: Curious teens and adults will be particularly inspired by the author’s account and his hand-drawn illustrations, inspired by the colourful weavings and landscapes of the nomadic tribes.

Gain global awareness: Broaden your family’s horizons with a journey that spans the entire Islamic world, moving beyond standard history to explore geography and culture.

Expand perspective: Gain a fresh perspective on what “essential” really means, helping you and your family find contentment away from the pressures of consumer culture.
Author Biography

Luqman Nagy was born and raised in Vancouver, Canada. He graduated from the University of British Columbia with graduate degrees in Library Science and Education, and subsequently pursued Middle Eastern language studies at Ankara University (Turkish), Pahlavi (Shiraz) University (Persian), and Umm al-Qur’a University, Makkah (Arabic). Since 1970, he has travelled the length and breadth of Islamic world in search of traditional Muslim societies – including the indigenous nomadic peoples. He has now retired from decades of university lecturing, and currently resides with his family in Turkey and Canada. The author’s writing – produced after having lived, worked and travelled in the Islamic world for over half a century – focuses mainly on the rich, cultural and historical heritage of Islamic lands.
Translator Biography
This Book is Best For
Curious teenagers: who want to learn about a fascinating group of people that are rarely talked about but from whom we can learn so much.

Adults: looking to their next interesting, horizon-broadening read.

Travellers: who would like to gain an insight into nomadic travels.

Keen readers: who appreciate beautiful, richly illustrated books on interesting topics.

Gifting: something unique and high-quality for the curious minds in your family.
Specifications

Endorsements & Recognition

AA, Author

“Like the previous titles by Luqman Nagy, this one is a treat for its reader! It provides a beautiful and very detailed explanation of Muslim nomadic life. I wish non-nomadic Muslims also recognized the importance of ‘what you need is far more important than what you want’ so our Muslim world can become a better place in terms of sustainability and the adulteration of its environment.”

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is this a children’s book or an adult’s book?

Luqman Nagy has a wonderfully engaging style of writing and illustrating that is loved by both adults and older children. This book is suitable for, and can be enjoyed by, adults and children aged 13+.

There is a common misconception that only children’s book ought to be illustrated, but not adult’s books. We think that a richly illustrated text is a much more sensory immersive read for the adult soul. The illustrations here aren’t just to break up the text and offer decoration, but are tools to document the textiles, architecture, and daily rhythms of nomadic life.

Is the information inside authentic?

Completely. Luqman Nagy has spent over 50 years travelling and living in the Islamic world. He doesn’t just write about nomads from bookish research; he has shared their meals and walked with them. His insights come from both lived experience and wider study.

Does it focus more on history or religion?

It beautifully weaves the two together. It shows how the faith of these nomads is central to their daily survival, their respect for nature, and their hospitality, making the religion feel alive and practical rather than just theoretical.

Is this a geography book?

It’s a unique blend of history, geography, art, religion and current affairs told through the eyes of a seasoned traveller, seeker and academic. Most books about a topic show it to you from the outside. This book shows you another world from the inside and through the lens of Islam. It offers you a view of a world that is lesser known in a way that aligns with your family’s Islamic values.

Why would I want to know about Nomads?

The Prophet ﷺ advised us to “Be in this world as if you were a stranger or a traveller.” (Bukhari) While many of us have become used to our sedentary comforts and attachment to our homes, nomads live this Prophetic reality every day. Their lives are characterised by resilience, treading lightly upon the earth and doing without and, as such, are closer to the lived experience of the Prophet ﷺ and his Companions than our own.

Reading about these tribes is an invitation to look beyond our own lives, to learn from those who find abundance in simplicity, and to rediscover a life that comes from living in the moment. It challenges the security and attachment we find in our homes and teaches us something of the temporary nature of this world.

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At a time when there were limited faith-based resources to learn and teach Islam to the Muslim community in English, Afsar & Jamal-un-Nisa Siddiqui founded one of the first Islamic publishing houses in the UK. Leaving behind professional careers, they paved the way for future generations to enjoy a wide range of Islamic literature. Almost fifty years later, we continue to provide the highest quality books worldwide and support literacy charities.