The Monk, the Moor and Moses Ben Jalloun

• The book uses multiple narratives, legends and fictional characters to connect modern-day lives with the intellectual and cultural world of the medieval Islamic era.

• Saeed Akhtar Mirza is an acclaimed Indian filmmaker and writer, known for his socially engaged films and literary work. His writing often explores history, culture, society and identity.

Four American university students in 2008 begin investigating aspects of history that they believe have been overlooked. Alongside their story is Rehana, an eleventh-century Iranian woman whose pursuit of knowledge shapes her life. The two narratives come together to explore the legacy of Islamic civilization and its relevance to the modern world.