​The Islam and Middle East Collection, one of the Library’s core collections since the early twentieth century, enjoys international recognition. It contains primary and secondary sources on all aspects of the Islamic religion, from its inception to the present day. Among these are Islamic law, theology, philosophy, mysticism and legal codes; the history and study of Islamic cultures (in geographical regions with Muslim majorities or substantial minorities); and Muslim languages and literature – particularly Arabic, Persian, Turkish and Urdu.