Entangled Sufism in Ottoman and Post-Ottoman Europe

This chapter introduces the volume Sufism in Ottoman and Post-Ottoman Europe: Entanglements in Past and Present , which examines the complex and shifting entanglements of Sufi groups across Southeast Europe and beyond from the 19th century to the present. It outlines how these communities both influenced and were influenced by processes such as nationalism, secularisation, and modernity, and how their networks transcended religious, cultural, and geographic boundaries. Emphasising an entanglement approach, this chapter situates Sufism within broader historical, political, and social transformations, challenging essentialist and regionally confined narratives. It also frames the volume’s interdisciplinary structure and thematic sections, highlighting the embeddedness of Sufi communities in their respective societies. Finally, it gives an overview about the contributions of this volume’s chapters to the entanglement research.