Review: Islam and Social Work

Review: Islam and Social Work: Debating values, transforming practice

★★★★★

Sara Ashencaen Crabtree, Fatima Hussein and Basia Spalek,The Policy Press, ISBN: 9781861349477

During the US election, part of the whispering campaign against Barack Obama included the accusation that he was related to muslims and might have sympathy with Islam. That showed how the fears fanned by the post-9/11 era have brought us further apart, rather than closer.

I read this book during the election. It explains how Islam might influence different social work situations within muslim communities. There is a thoughtful approach to case studies that looks at the cultural and faith-based situations that would be useful for social workers in certain communities.

The work is international and looks at how situations might be different in other parts of the world. Even if you believe you know most of this already or that we only learn by making mistakes, this book will provoke interesting discussions. It’s a fine approach to a subject more of us should learn about.

Greer Nicholson is commissioning manager for transport and concessionary travel, London Borough of Newham

This review is published in the 26 February issue of Community Care magazine