The Islamic Year
Surahs,stories and celebrations
Noorah Al-Gailani and Chris Smith

Celebrate the IslamicYear in your family or at school! You are invited to explore Muslim festivals with this inspiring treasury of stories, surahs, songs, games, recipes, craft and art activities. Folk tales illustrate the core values of Islamic culture with gentle humour and wisdom.

The Islamic Year is beautifully illustrated, with a colour calendar, Arabic calligraphy of the Names of God, traditional patterns, maps and pictures drawn from many part of the Muslim world.

Chris Smith is a musician and storyteller, known for his storytelling of The Queen of Sheba at the British Museum. He has a passion for Arab folktales, myths and legends, gained from living in Palestine.

Noorah Al-Gailani's family is from Iraq. She teaches Islam in Saturday schools and works as a curator in London.

240pp; 250 x 200mm;
1 903458 14 5; paperback;
£15.99

Published January 2003

'I would recommend this to anyone who has contact with Muslims, or would like to understand more about what a large proportion of the world thinks.'

from a review in Education Otherwise, August 2003

'This is a positive tool and an excellent resource that can be helpful for parents and teachers who wish to bring a broad understanding to the troubled cultural relationships of our modern times.

from a review in Lilipoh, Summer 2003

'A ten year old boy, recently asked what was conjured up by the word Muslim, replied: 'A man with a hook'. Ignorance, confusion, negative stereotypes and fear lead many to associate Islam with terrorism. They are unaware of the difference between political Islam and the spiritual faith. This richly illustrated book shows that Muslims share many values and stories with Christianity and Judaism.'

from a review in The Teacher, July/Aug 2003

'An excellent introduction to the Prophet's life. The children were engaged and interested throughout.'

Mrs B Clements, Headteacher, Saint Mary and All Saints Primary School, Reading

'...Noorah Al-Gailani and Chris Smith have done a wonderful job in explaining an often misunderstood and confusing subject. The timing and approach of this publication could not be better given the urgent need to engage children in this topic.'

from a review in Five to Eleven, May 2003

'...An exhaustive study of Islamic traditions, this is an excellent guide for teachers aiming to broaden their teaching of religion to other faiths...'

from a review in The Cork Evening Echo, March 2003

' This timely and important book has been written to help break down antipathy felt towards Muslims and the Islamic faith and culture, and to reduce tension between faiths...'

from Cygnus Review, May 2003

' The Islamic Year is primarily a practical aid for teachers wishing to explain Islam to non-Muslim audiences in primary schools and elsewhere. It is a perfect tool for introducing young people to the concepts upon which Islam is based ...'

from a review in New View, Spring 2003