A timely and relevant study in this age of concern about trans-national ’religious’ networks.
Powerful use of ethnographic date to illuminate an original and striking thesis on the ambiguous nature of the Sai Baba movement. What makes this work outstanding is how the author places her material against the complex ethnic, political and religious situation of Malaysia.

A timely and relevant study in this age of concern about trans-national ’religious’ networks where powerful use of ethnographic date illuminates an original and striking thesis on the ambiguous nature of the Sai Baba movement. What makes this work outstanding is how the author places her material against the complex ethnic, political and religious situation of Malaysia. The book looks closely at the Malaysian following of the contemporary Indian godman Sathya Sai Baba, a neo-Hindu guru famed for his miracle-working.

The ’911’ attacks on the United States and subsequent ’war on terrorism’ have brought a discussion of transnational ’religious’ networks onto centre stage. While the Sai Baba movement has no militaristic ideology, it may - like any other such movement - ultimately call into question the sovereignty of the nation state.

Today, then, issues of faith and devotion are more urgent than ever in the interfaces between diverse world-views, not only at local and national levels but, increasingly, at the global level as well.