from 'Education Otherwise' August 2003

This is another of the excellent books in the Festivals series - a good, clear, concise, non-biased, informative book. It is a very interesting introduction to Islam, its roots, through from before Muhammad was born, including history of his life, and an appendix of some of things like how the Ashura festival and Sunni Schism came about.

Each chapter is well laid out starting with a quote from the Qur-an, a piece about Muhammad, an explanation of new ideas introduced, a relevant piece on how certain countries celebrate that festival, some really cool, easy to follow craft activities related to that particular festival, then a story illustrating one of the pillars of faith.

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.

Diane Cromie with Ben (12) and Tabitha (9)

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from 'Lilipoh', Summer 2003

I can't think of a better time to learn about the riches of the Islamic culture and faith, and this is the perfect book with which to do so. The chapters of the book follow the festivals of the Islamic year, which are celebrations of different stages throughout the life of the Prophet Muhammad.

Each chapter begins with a quote from the Qur'an and a story from the life of the Prophet followed by cultural information such as 'What is a prayer rug?' 'Why go on a pilgrimage?' and 'Exploring Arabic writing'. Recipes from Egypt, Iraq and Turkey, and activities and crafts such as making a Muslim calendar (according to the lunar year), creating a Seven Heavens mobile or fasting for a day put the ancient stories into a practical context of a rich cultural heritage.

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. Filled with crafts, activities, patterns, recipes, verses, stories and beautiful art work.

Christy Korrow

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from 'Five to Eleven', May 2003

This book offers a practical and attractive tool for primary school teachers and parents wishing to tackle the sensitive subject of Islam during these difficult times.

The Islamic Year invites you to explore all the major Muslim festivals, including the Islamic New Year (al-Hijra), which this year falls in early March, with an inspiring mix 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 book mixes a vivid account of the Prophet Muhammad's life and the events which are celebrated by Muslims in different ways around the world, complete with quotes (Surahs) from the Qur'an.

It is beautifully illustrated with a colouring calendar, Arabic calligraphy of the names of God, traditional patterns, maps and pictures drawn from many parts of the Muslim world.

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.

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A prophet called Zakariyya, who spent his life teaching about God, was an old man who had no children to carry on his work after he died. He prayed to God for a son and heir and his wish was granted with the birth of a child, John, who was later to prepare the way for Jesus.

Zakariyya has not been forgotten by modern day Muslims, who celebrate his feast day on the first Sunday in the Muslim month of Sha'ban. This is an important day for couples who are hoping to have children. The woman prays to be blessed with a child by the side of a 'Zakariyya tray' which has been prepared by a relative or friend whose wish has previously been granted.

As well as explaining the origin of the festival, The Islamic Year gives detailed instructions on how to prepare your own celebrations, including the construction of a Zakariyya tray.

You'll need candles, a metal tray, water vases, green leaves, yoghurt, wheat bread, well water, boiled sweets, nuts and raisins.

The exact procedure for the celebration is explained, and you can go further by making your own water vessels out of modelling. clay, with girls obliged to make round-neck pots and boys making pots with spouts. Such is the detail in this hefty book that you could spend your whole Christian year studying the Islamic one.

There are Islamic stories, songs and recipes scattered amid the main text, which follows the life of the Prophet Muhammad and includes explanations of the many festivals and traditions, maps and details of pilgrimages.

Each chapter includes several activity ideas to tie in with the Muslim calendar, including designing a head scarf, writing your name in Arabic and, interestingly, making a rosary bead chain.

Anyone who thought rosary beads were an exclusively Catholic item may be interested to know that Muslims adopted their use from eastern Christians, but Christians had themselves borrowed the tradition from earlier Indian religions.

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

Particularly relevant in today's increasingly multi-cultural society where Christianity can no longer be assumed to be the religion of all children in Irish schools, this book's aim is to break down religious intolerance and ignorance of other cultures.

With particular reference to September 11, the book's introduction examines the urgent need for understanding of predominantly Muslim societies, Iraq and Afghanistan among them, and includes a telling quote from a Muslim schoolgirl: "Remember that we are human too."

Pet O'Connell

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Edited review from 'New View', Spring 2003

Noorah Al-Gailani, an Iraqi and teacher of Islam, works as a curator in a museum of religion in London. Chris Smith is a musician and storyteller with a passion for Arab folktales, myths and legends, which he acquired whilst living in Palestine. They have collaborated in putting together a collection of stories, surahs (quotes for the Qur'an), songs, games, recipes, craft and art activities in a timely attempt to counter the negative stereotyping that is all too evident in the West of late, which tends to portray Islam as a violent, anti-democratic movement rather than a spiritual faith.

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, whereupon they can observe the differences and, more importantly perhaps, the similarities that Islam has to the two other major monotheistic religions, Christianity and Judaism.

I found the book answered most of the questions that I have been wanting to ask about Islam such as: Why do all Muslims place so much importance on making a pilgrimage to Mecca during the course of their life? Do Muslims believe in Christ, and is Islam 'at odds with' Christianity? Why do Muslims fast during the month of Ramadan? And many more besides. It throws light on the early schism between the Muslim majority, the Sunni, and the Shi'ah, which continues to fuel much animosity and unrest in certain countries ...

Each chapter is divided into four sections: beginning with a verse from the Holy Qur'an and a story about the life of the Prophet. Then the significance of a particular festival is explained, together with the ways that it is celebrated in various countries (customs differ from region to region). Suggestions for activities for the classroom or home are given next; these are aimed at deepening understanding of the festival by engaging the children with it actively. Finally, traditional folktales from various Islamic countries are presented (including some by Rumi), each illustrating a particular theme associated with the festival and its teachings...

I found this book informative and enjoyable to read and I can see that it would make an excellent teaching aid for those seeking to bring about a deeper understanding of the Muslim community to those outside of it ...

Rosemary Usselman

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Janey Hulme dips into a book of activities, tales and recipes, all about Islam.

HAWTHORN Books have brought out a useful resource to help teach about the Prophet Muhammad and the events celebrated by Muslims in different ways around the world.

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.

Co-author Chris Smith says: 'Children love a great story and Muhammad's Story has a major dilemma, a big journey, lots of action, wonder and miracles, and God, which isn't so usual these days, so it gets their interest.'

The activities are for all primary ages. The folktales are amusing - check out the one about silly Ahmed on page 49. The recipes all look delicious - I tried Zerdah wa Halib, Iraqi rice pudding. I somehow got the Zerdah all wrong but the rice was delicious. Make pudding - not war.

Janey Hulme