Moscow: Dom Marjani Publishing House, 2011, 560 p. (Islam and Modernity) The topic chosen by the author fully corresponds to one of the most promising areas of modern Russian Oriental studies - the study of socio-economic trends and realities of Eastern societies, which in this case are inextricably linked with religious structures and customs. This is the basis for the scientific relevance and significance of the monograph, the novelty of which lies in the fact that in this aspect - through the prism of the traditional Islamic religious and charitable institute of Waqf-the history of Turkey is considered for the first time in Russian and Western historiography. Since the VIII century. in the Islamic world, then united by the Arab Caliphate, the formation of a specific form of Muslim property - waqfs-began, which later became the most important social institution, which "for centuries determined many aspects of socio - economic and religious life" (pp. 12-13). One can agree with the retrospective assessment of the waqf not only as a "religious and legal institution", but also as "an important socio-economic category that has not lost its significance in Muslim societies today" (p.12). The author examines this phenomenon in the public life of the country for 85 years, i.e., in fact, throughout the entire modern history of Turkey. These circumstances alone make a peer-reviewed monograph groundbreaking. The fact that P. V. Shlykov was able to work thoroughly in Turkish archives and libraries adds even more value to the research. In addition, as a fellow of one of the waqfs in 2006 - 2007, the author had the opportunity to get acquainted with the mechanism of functioning of these institutions from the inside, to personally communicate with people associated with the work of such charitable foundations in modern Turkey. All this allowed him to page 195 to understand different aspects of the existence of the waqf institute in Turkey and show the ambivalent nature of moder ... Read more