Introduction 1. Textiles and Symbols: A Mélange of Cultural Signifiers Kanga: Cloth with a Message Lion of Persia: pre-Islamic to Contemporary Iran Felt and Fabrics under Domination: Central Asia Ram's Horn: Central Asia and Iran 2. Talismanic Textiles: Gender, Status, and the Supernatural Protecting Fiber and Livelihood: the Ladakh Blessed Looms, Blessed Fibers Sacred Colors: Red, White, and Light Blue Beyond the Loom Amulets: Protection Against the Unseen Inscribed Talismanic Shirts Gendered Looms 3. The Politicization of Textiles: Colonialism to the Present India and Cotton: Rejecting Colonial Rule United We Stand: India's Muslim Weavers West African Wax Cloth Calico: the Forbidden Indian Cotton Indian Cloth in Southeast Asia Keffiyeh: from Functional to Symbolic The Russian Colonial Effect on Central Asian Textiles Russian Political Symbolism on Woven Carpets 4. Textiles and Crisis: Displacement & Occupation Rohingya of Burma Syria Iraqi Afghanistan Siddis, Afro Indians Pakistan/India separation: Becoming two nations Indonesia Palestine 5. Textiles and Death Rituals in Islamicate Societies Burial Garment for Muslims: the Kafan Piecing Together the Past: Tiraz and Halaqa Tomb Covers for the Prophet Muhammed: Kiswa Tomb Covers: Signifiers of Status Indian and South Asian Tomb Covers Haji Ali Dargah Ajmer Sharif Dargah Egyptian Funeral Tents: The Art of Khayamiya Conclusion.