This encyclopaedia aims to set out the present state of knowledge of the Islamic world. It contains articles on distinguished Muslims, on tribes and dynasties, on crafts and sciences, on political and religious institutions, on the geography, ethnography, flora and fauna of the various countries, as well as on the history, topography and monuments of the major towns and cities. In its geographical and historical scope, it encompasses the old Arabo-Islamic empire, Iran, Central Asia, the Indian sub-continent and Indonesia, the Ottoman Empire and all other Islamic countries. Double fascicule 187 - 188 completes the alphabet and thus the volume. Upon completion of a volume, covers and prelims are supplied for binding. A supplement volume will be published in 2003 and an index volume, marking the completion of the Encyclopaedia of Islam (new edition) will be published in 2004.