For centuries, the written word has held a sacred place in Islamic civilization. From the elegant calligraphy of the earliest Quranic manuscripts to the bustling book markets of Baghdad and Cordoba, Muslims have understood that books are not just objects—they are vessels of knowledge, faith, and identity.
In 2026, Islamic publishing is experiencing a renaissance. Across the globe—from London publishing houses to Jakarta’s state printing presses, from American imprints amplifying diverse Muslim voices to university presses making scholarship accessible worldwide—the landscape of Islamic books has never been more dynamic.
Whether you are an author seeking a publisher for your manuscript, a bookseller curating your shelves, or simply a reader eager to discover new voices, understanding who publishes Islamic literature is essential. Here is your comprehensive guide to the leading Islamic book publishing companies in 2026, complete with the latest industry developments and emerging opportunities.
The State of Islamic Publishing in 2026
Before diving into specific publishers, it is worth understanding the broader trends shaping the industry this year.
Globalization of Islamic Scholarship: Islamic publishing is no longer confined to traditional centers like Cairo, Beirut, or Riyadh. Today, London serves as a hub for English-language Islamic books, while Indonesia and Malaysia lead Southeast Asian production. The industry has become truly global.
Digital Transformation: Academic publishers like the American University of Beirut Press are partnering with digital platforms such as Inlibra to reach international audiences . This shift means that scholarship produced in the Arab world is now accessible to students and researchers in Europe, North America, and beyond with just a few clicks.
State-Level Quran Diplomacy: Perhaps the most significant development of 2026 is Indonesia’s expansion of Quran publishing cooperation with Egypt. In January 2026, Indonesia’s Religious Affairs Ministry signed memorandums of understanding with four Egyptian partners during the Cairo International Book Fair . These three-year agreements cover printing, publishing, and distribution of Qurans, as well as strengthening Islamic literacy and moderate Islamic thought across the Middle East, Africa, and Europe .
Diverse Muslim Voices: New imprints like Shush Books are emerging specifically to counter the commercial filtering of Muslim viewpoints, aiming to enrich the literary market with “Islamicate works of fiction, nonfiction, and poetry by Muslims” .
Major Islamic Publishers by Region
United Kingdom: The English-Language Hub
London has established itself as the premier center for English-language Islamic publishing. The city hosts numerous publishers ranging from academic presses to children’s book specialists.
Kube Publishing
Location: London, GB
Genres: Islam, Religion & Spirituality, Academic, Picture Book, History, Education & Reference, Nonfiction, Fiction, Poetry
Accepts unagented submissions: Yes (book proposals)
Kube Publishing stands out as one of the most versatile Islamic publishers operating today. Their catalog spans the full spectrum—from academic works like Yasir Qadhi’s Lessons From Surah Al-Kahf to practical guides like Mathilde Loujayne’s Big Little Steps, a book about a woman’s journey to Islam . They also publish children’s picture books, demonstrating a commitment to nurturing faith at every age.
What makes them unique: Kube actively seeks submissions and has a clear proposals process, making them accessible to new authors who meet their standards.
Medina Publishing
Location: London, GB
Genres: Islam, Biographies & Memoirs, Photography, Politics, Humor, Travel, Sports & Outdoors, Nonfiction
Accepts unagented submissions: Yes (book proposals)
Medina Publishing takes an expansive view of Islamic publishing, producing books that explore Islamic themes through multiple lenses. Their hit title Blue Jackal and Other Tales From Islamic Lands demonstrates their interest in cultural heritage and storytelling .
What makes them unique: Their genre diversity—including humor and photography—sets them apart from more narrowly focused Islamic publishers.
White Thread Press
Location: London, GB
Genres: Islam, Religion & Spirituality, Nonfiction
Accepts unagented submissions: No
White Thread Press has earned a reputation for publishing classical Islamic texts in careful, scholarly editions. Their catalog includes works like The Beginning of Guidance by Abu Hamid al-Ghazali and Al-Fiqh al-Akbar Explained, making them a go-to source for traditional Islamic knowledge .
What makes them unique: While they do not accept unsolicited submissions, their focus on classical texts fills an essential niche in the Islamic publishing ecosystem.
Shade 7 Publishing
Location: London, GB
Genres: Islam, Education & Reference, Picture Book, Children’s
Accepts unagented submissions: No
Shade 7 has carved out a special place in Islamic publishing through their focus on children’s books. Titles like Hats of Faith and My First Book of Islamic Months have become staples in Muslim households seeking engaging, beautifully illustrated books for young readers .
What makes them unique: Their specialization in children’s literature means they understand this market deeply, producing books that are both educational and visually appealing.
Al-Hidaayah Publishing
Location: London, GB
Genres: Islam, Religion & Spirituality, History, Nonfiction
Accepts unagented submissions: No
Al-Hidaayah focuses on serious Islamic scholarship, including works on Quranic Arabic and contemporary Islamic thought. Their publication of Yasir Qadhi’s A Critical Study of Shirk places them firmly in the academic tradition of Islamic publishing .
Hurst Publishers
Location: London, GB
Genres: Islam, Politics, History, Nonfiction
Accepts unagented submissions: Yes (book proposals)
While not exclusively an Islamic publisher, Hurst has become a leading voice for books examining the Muslim world through political, historical, and social lenses. Their catalog includes rigorous scholarship accessible to general readers .
What makes them unique: For authors writing about contemporary Islam, politics, or history in Muslim-majority regions, Hurst offers a prestigious platform.
United States: Diverse Voices and Academic Excellence
American Islamic publishing reflects the diversity of the Muslim community in North America—immigrants, converts, African American Muslims, and a growing generation of young, engaged readers.
Amana Publications
Location: Washington DC, US
Genres: Islam, Nonfiction
Accepts unagented submissions: No
Amana Publications is one of the most established Islamic publishers in North America. Their catalog includes foundational texts like Nuh Ha Mim Keller’s Al-Maqasid and scholarly works like The Origins of the Concepts of Shi’ism and Sunnism .
What makes them unique: Amana has maintained consistent quality and relevance for decades, earning trust across diverse Muslim communities.
Kazi Publications
Location: Chicago, US
Genres: Islam, Art, Architecture, Biographies & Memoirs, Environmental, History, Religion & Spirituality, Nonfiction
Accepts unagented submissions: No
Kazi Publications has served the American Muslim community for over four decades. Their extensive catalog includes Laleh Bakhtiar’s Concordance of The Sublime Quran and Suzanne Haneef’s What Everyone Should Know About Islam and Muslims .
What makes them unique: Kazi’s breadth is remarkable—they publish across Islamic art, architecture, history, and spirituality, making them a one-stop resource for serious readers.
Tughra Books
Location: New York City, US
Genres: Islam, Religion & Spirituality, Nonfiction
Accepts unagented submissions: No
Tughra Books, affiliated with the Hizmet movement, publishes works focused on spirituality, interfaith dialogue, and the life of the Prophet Muhammad. Their titles like Resit Haylamaz’s Aisha offer accessible biographies of important Islamic figures .
India: A Growing Market
India’s Muslim community—one of the largest in the world—has a vibrant publishing scene that deserves attention.
Rupa Books
Location: New Delhi, IN
Genres: Romance, Thriller & Suspense, Fantasy, Horror, Women’s Fiction, Literary Fiction, Self-Help, Religion & Spirituality, Business, Travel, Health & Wellbeing, History, Biographies & Memoirs, Politics, Fiction, Poetry, Nonfiction
Accepts unagented submissions: Yes (book proposals)
While Rupa is a mainstream Indian publisher, their religion and spirituality list includes Islamic titles. For authors seeking to reach the South Asian market, Rupa offers significant distribution reach.
Orient Paperbacks
Location: New Delhi, IN
Genres: Biographies & Memoirs, Business, Literary Fiction, Health & Wellbeing, Humor, Politics, Religion & Spirituality, Self-Help, Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry
Accepts unagented submissions: Yes (book proposals)
Like Rupa, Orient Paperbacks is a major Indian publisher whose catalog includes religious and spiritual titles. They represent a pathway to the vast Indian reading public.
The Arab World: Traditional Centers in Transition
The American University of Beirut Press
Location: Beirut, Lebanon
Genres: Islamic Studies, Qur’anic Studies, History, Law, Sufism, Art History, Visual Culture, Graphic Narratives
Accepts submissions: Academic proposals through established channels
AUB Press represents the gold standard for academic publishing on Islam and the Arab world. Their flagship Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan Series for Arabic and Islamic Studies produces rigorous, peer-reviewed scholarship.
2026 Development: In a major move to expand global reach, AUB Press has partnered with Inlibra, a Germany-based digital platform operated by NOMOS . This partnership makes AUB Press publications accessible to scholars, students, and institutions worldwide, significantly enhancing their visibility in European and international markets.
Professor Bilal Orfali, Director of AUB Press, explains: “This partnership with Inlibra represents an important step in expanding the international reach of AUB Press publications… Making our books available through a leading digital platform such as Inlibra enhances their visibility and accessibility” .
Egyptian Publishers at Cairo International Book Fair 2026
The Cairo International Book Fair remains the premier literary event in the Arab world. In January 2026, several Egyptian publishers signed significant cooperation agreements with Indonesia’s Quran Printing Unit :
- United Egypt Company for Trading and Individual Investment
- Aldiplomasy.com (Arabic-English Editions)
- Dar-Mobdioun for Publishing and Distribution
- United Arab Foundation
These three-year agreements cover Quran printing, publishing, distribution, and the strengthening of Islamic literacy and moderate Islamic thought . For authors and publishers seeking partners in the Egyptian market, these companies are now key players with international connections.
Emerging Voices: New Imprints for a New Generation
Shush Books
Location: United States (imprint of Shaherazad Shelves)
Genres: Islamicate fiction, nonfiction, poetry
Accepts unsolicited submissions: Open period April 14 – June 14, 2026
Shush Books represents one of the most exciting developments in Islamic publishing for 2026. Launched to counter what its founders saw as Muslim viewpoints and cultural heritage being “filtered for commercial consumption, skewing what it means to look and be Muslim,” Shush Books aims to enrich the literary market with authentic Muslim voices .
The Mission: “We are strong believers that a Muslim does not have to sacrifice his or her faith to be successful or influential. Not only will we embrace Muslim writers, but we will also empower their voices and range of religiosity” .
For Authors: Shush Books accepts unsolicited submissions during a defined window each year (April 14 – June 14 for 2026). This open-door policy, combined with their mission to amplify diverse Muslim perspectives, makes them an attractive option for emerging writers.
Resources for Authors and Industry Professionals
The Arab Literary Market Guide 2026
For serious publishing professionals, the Arab Literary Market Guide is an indispensable resource. This comprehensive directory, published by ResearchAndMarkets.com, provides detailed profiles of publishers, literary agents, booksellers, distributors, and other industry contacts across the entire MENA region—from Morocco to Yemen .
What it includes:
- All publishers and literary agents
- All major booksellers and book clubs
- All major libraries and library associations
- Distributors, wholesalers, and printers
- Translators, interpreters, and paper suppliers
- Literary associations, societies, and awards
Key features: Two publisher indexes—by types of publications and by subject—allow access to publishers via some 110 headings. Each entry includes address, telecommunications data, key personnel, year established, ISBN prefix(es), subjects, imprints, and more .
For anyone seeking to understand or enter the Arab publishing world, this guide is essential.
Submission Guidelines: What Authors Need to Know
Based on the publishers profiled above, here are key takeaways for authors seeking publication:
1. Do your research. Many publishers (like Amana, Kazi, and White Thread Press) do not accept unsolicited submissions . Submitting to them without an introduction is likely futile.
2. Look for open submission windows. Shush Books accepts submissions only during specific periods . Mark your calendar.
3. Prepare professional proposals. Publishers who accept submissions—like Kube Publishing, Medina Publishing, and Hurst—require book proposals, not just manuscripts . A strong proposal includes a synopsis, chapter outline, author biography, and market analysis.
4. Consider academic presses for scholarly work. AUB Press and university presses like Princeton (which publishes Islamic titles) offer rigorous peer review and academic credibility .
5. Understand genre fit. Some publishers specialize—Shade 7 in children’s books, Tughra in spirituality, Hurst in politics and current affairs. Match your manuscript to the right house.
The Future of Islamic Publishing
As we move through 2026, several trends will shape Islamic publishing:
Digital Expansion: The AUB Press-Inlibra partnership will likely be followed by similar moves as academic and trade publishers seek global digital reach.
State-Sponsored Quran Diplomacy: Indonesia’s ambitious agreements with Egyptian partners signal that Quran publishing is increasingly viewed as a tool of soft power and religious diplomacy.
Diverse Voices: New imprints like Shush Books reflect demand for authentic, unfiltered Muslim storytelling across genres—not just religious texts but fiction, poetry, and creative nonfiction.
Children’s Literature Growth: With publishers like Shade 7 demonstrating strong demand, expect continued expansion in Islamic children’s books that engage young readers while nurturing faith and identity.
Conclusion
The world of Islamic book publishing in 2026 is vast, varied, and vibrant. From London’s academic presses to Jakarta’s state printers, from Beirut’s university publishers to new American imprints amplifying diverse Muslim voices, there has never been a better time to publish—or discover—Islamic literature.
Whether you are seeking a publisher for your manuscript, building a library of Islamic scholarship, or simply curious about the rich tradition of Muslim writing, the publishers profiled here represent the best of an industry committed to knowledge, faith, and cultural preservation.
The written word remains illuminated. And in 2026, it shines brighter than ever.
2026 Islamic Publishers At-a-Glance
| Publisher | Location | Focus | Accepts Submissions? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kube Publishing | London, UK | General/Academic | Yes (proposals) |
| Medina Publishing | London, UK | Diverse genres | Yes (proposals) |
| White Thread Press | London, UK | Classical texts | No |
| Shade 7 Publishing | London, UK | Children’s | No |
| Hurst Publishers | London, UK | Politics/History | Yes (proposals) |
| Amana Publications | Washington DC, US | General | No |
| Kazi Publications | Chicago, US | Diverse | No |
| Tughra Books | New York, US | Spirituality | No |
| AUB Press | Beirut, Lebanon | Academic | By proposal |
| Shush Books | US | Muslim fiction/poetry | Open window |
| United Egypt Company | Cairo, Egypt | Quran/General | Commercial |