Customer Reviews

The Islamic Year: Surahs, Stories and Celebrations (Crafts, Festivals and Family Activities Ser)

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To commemorate various Islamic `holidays', this 218-page "THE ISLAMIC YEAR: Surahs, Stories and Celebrations" is a wonderful English-language hands on, hand-building products book for both adults and youths in making various cut-and-paste or other handicrafts for decorating dinner tables or other display nooks. The main author is Noorah Al-Gailani, she is a Muslim of Iraqi origin living in England, who has taught Islam to Muslim children in various settings. She teaches through "games, creative activities and stories", all of which are demonstrated in this large hardback. The author provides a very brief history of the development of Islam, along with explaining basic Islamic theology for youths. Some of the handicrafts that are demonstrated in this book for children to build include: drawing, cutting and folding a paper model of the Ka'bah; creating a ceiling "prophets air-mobile", making a paper mosque lantern; cooking `religious' deserts; story tellings of the Islamic faith; how to make paper window-hangings to temporarily cover windows; making a misbahah/subhad rosary bead-chains; producing book covers; creating a ceiling "seven heavens" air-mobile; making a simple cloth prayer rug; making a Id pop-up card; making a Hajj Greetings Card, games, etc. Also, short stories from various Islamic countries are presented - especially the tender, heartwarming "Mullum the Warrior" story from West Africa where our Islamic hero is championed: "The battle lasted for hours, but finally Mullum pushed his son to the ground and slashed him across the chest" (p. 135). This Islamic book would probably be prohibited in Saudi Arabia, because it does show children how to make paper handicrafts depicting desert animals, and does explain the "Festival of Ashura and the Sunni/Shi'ah Schism" (p. 193). This book does NOT provide a listing of dates of various Islamic `holidays' or `festivals' - the book provides handicraft projects that are suitable for any Islamic festival. Also, various "Arabisque' tile-drawing artwork is depicted for tracing or reproduction. There is also a 3-page "suggestions for teachers" section.

This book truly embraces the beauty of Islam, and the teachings of Islam, with respect to all the religions. I highly recommend this book to anyone out there who wants to learn more about, or research in depth the truth about this serene and peaceful religion. Happy Reading to all! :)