This collection provides interdisciplinary study of sport in the Middle East in the context of history, politics, policies, gender, religion, ideology and international relations. The chapters examine the role of the Pan-Arab Games in strengthening the bonds of Arab identity in Qatar, the contribution of sport to the building of nationhood and cultural image in Lebanon and Turkey, female involvement in the Olympic movement in Middle Eastern countries, how sport has facilitated the promotion of gender equality and how sport has served the social and cultural transformation of the Islamic world.

Study of the role and functions of sport in the Middle East in its historical, political and cultural context is long overdue. Based on recent research conducted by prominent young scholars in this field, this collection will inspire and stimulate the future development of research in the Islamic world.

This book was originally published as a special issue of The International Journal of the History of Sport.