Muslims CAN and DO Dance: New Book Uncovers History of Movement Across the Silk Road
Muslims CAN and DO Dance: New Book Reveals the Vibrant History of Movement Across the Silk Road
Dance Histories: A Journey Across the Muslim Silk Roads, the first of its kind book by Historian and Author Nadia Khan, sheds light on the rich and diverse dance cultures of the Muslim world, challenging stereotypes and misconceptions about Muslim communities and their relationship with dance.
Dance is often portrayed in extremes when it comes to the Muslim world—either seen as forbidden by strict interpretations of faith or reduced to Orientalist images of exotic, semi-naked dancers. This book aims to dismantle these false narratives, showcasing the reality of dance as a deeply rooted cultural, spiritual, and social practice in Muslim societies across the Silk Road region. Muslim dance is inspired by Muslim philosophy, Sufi poetry and connection to the land.
Nadia Khan's journey to write Dance Histories was both personal and historical. Through her research, she discovered the hidden stories of dance practices that have been largely ignored or misunderstood. She captures the voices of dancers, scholars, and communities across the Muslim world, revealing how dance has been a tool for self-expression, spirituality, and even political resistance.
“I wrote this book to rescue dance from a distorted narrative that either erases it from Muslim culture or reduces it to mere exotic spectacle,” says Nadia Khan. “Dance is a part of our collective existence—connecting us to our history, our families, and our spirituality. It is a universal language that tells the stories of communities and individuals alike.”
Dance Histories explores traditional and spiritual dance forms across the Silk Road, including:
Sema – The Dance of the Whirling Dervishes: A devotional dance of the Sufi brotherhood, famously associated with the teachings of Jalal al-Din Rumi.
Kathak – South Asian Dance: A beautiful fusion of Indo-Muslim and Persian dance traditions rooted in Mughal India.
Flamenco – A dance with roots in Andalusian Muslim culture
Dabke – A Social Dance of the Arab World: A centuries-old dance still practiced across Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, and Palestine.
Belly Dance – A Celebration of Femininity: An ancient dance rooted in matriarchal traditions, misunderstood in its modern, westernised form.
Nadia Khan’s exploration reveals that dance in Muslim cultures is not a contradiction but a reflection of beauty, faith, and resilience. Her work reclaims the forgotten stories of Muslim dance heritage and invites readers to rediscover the beauty of movement as a form of cultural expression.
Dance Histories: A Journey Across the Muslim Silk Roads is now available for pre-order at Beacon Books: https://beaconbooks.net/products/dance-histories
