Acknowledgements
My supervisors, colleagues, friends and family have helped me develop an idea into a thesis and then into this book. My gratitude goes to my first supervisor Prof. Dr. Gudrun Krämer for her commitment in guiding me through the PhD at Freie Universität (FU) Berlin. By always taking time for feedback and advice, Professor Krämer taught me to shape my research and link it to broader questions in Islamic Studies. Thanks to Professor Krämer’s encouragement, I have worked on transforming my writing into more engaging prose. As my first interviewee, Professor Krämer has also supported me in launching my podcast “tell me a history – erzähl’ mir eine Geschichte,” for which I am very grateful. I would also like to thank my second supervisor Prof. Dr. Wendy Shaw for introducing me into the world of Islamic Art History and connecting me with scholars in the field. Additionally, I would like to thank my external supervisor Prof. Dr. Ute Schneider for her encouragement and for giving me the opportunity to present my findings in the context of European Historical Cartography. A special thanks goes to my supervisor during the Honors postdoctoral fellowship at FU Berlin, Prof. Dr. Konrad Hirschler. Professor Hirschler’s support encouraged me to advance the manuscript analysis and take my writing to the next level.
My gratitude also goes to the anonymous reviewers whose constructive and considerate feedback helped me sharpen my arguments and smoothen the edges of my manuscript.
I appreciate the support from my colleagues, first and foremost Prof. Dr. Jean-Charles Ducène. After crossing paths at a conference in 2014, Professor Ducène has encouraged me to pursue my research while sharing his insights and material. Through his kindness and generosity, Professor Ducène has taught me the benefits of collaboration.
Philip Bockholt has been the best companion I could have wished for, from the application at the Berlin Graduate School Muslim Cultures and Societies (BGSMCS) to our defenses. Philip has shown me how to tackle research and overcome obstacles, including during our travels to Iran, the UK and St. Petersburg. While challenging me to step up my game, Philip has also cheered me on to believe in myself.
My daily support system at the BGSMCS made the PhD worth the ride. I would like to thank my friends Veronika Hager, Hanna Nieber, Sara Holz and Nick Gjorvad for having my back and celebrating milestones, sometimes with our anthem. I am also grateful to my colleagues and friends at the BGSMCS and the FU Berlin for their support: Antonia Bosanquet, Mohammed Eissa, Markus Fiebig, Oriana Gaetaniello, Josephine Gelhar, Adela Taleb and Prof. Umar Ryad; this extends to colleagues abroad, such as Dr. Chafik Benchekroun, Dr. Florian Schwarz and Khaled Yusuf. A special thanks goes to Dr. Said Aljoumani for helping me decipher manuscript notes for this book. Additionally, I would like express my gratitude to the staff at BGSMCS, especially Dr. Bettina Gräf, Dr. Lars Ostermeier and Jutta Schmidbauer for providing a wonderful work environment.
Furthermore, I thank my friends and family for listening to me rave about manuscripts and for picking up the pieces after I had hit bumps in the road: Nastassja Danilenko, Nesibe Erçakır, Silvana George, Sophia Kochalski, Lydia Vahland, Petra, Reinhard, Zacharias and Anthea Mawick, Jessica Noll and Irene Schütz.
Finally, words fail me in thanking my husband Laurenz Mawick for the endless love and joy he brings to my life (“lip lip lip”).