This study examines ordinary British Muslims' everyday religious socialisation of children in early and middle childhood. It describes how Muslim families in a secular Western context attempt to pass on their faith to the next generation. It is rooted in detailed qualitative research with 60 Muslim families in one British city.

Early Childhood Education for Muslim Children foregrounds the marginalised perspective of Muslim children aged three to five and examines how they are cared for and educated in centre-based provision in two provinces in post-apartheid South Africa. Both theological and social science perspectives are carefully interwoven to make sense of the construction of service provision for Muslims as a minority group in a secular democracy. This book uses a qualitative, reflexive approach to amplify the voices of mothers, managers and teachers as the community of agents who shape priorities for young children in the context of a rapidly transforming society. The research demonstrates that the quest to establish an appropriate care network and a sound educative environment for Muslim children is riddled with complexities, struggles and tensions. In the light of changes in the home-based network for early education, centre-based provision has become an important infrastructure for Muslim communities seeking one-stop academic and Islamic education. The internal struggles encountered in this form of provision include inequities in access, struggles to package an appropriate curriculum, and dealing with nurturance specific to the faith and for cultural formations supportive of citizenship. This book calls for critical engagement with issues of religious education in early childhood, social cohesion, formal systematic teacher education for Muslim teachers, curriculum development and parental support. It will contribute not only to the development of early education from an Islamic perspective, but will also demonstrate how to expand discourses and practices to deal with diversity and faith development in early years. As such, it will appeal to academics, researchers and postgraduate students in the fields of early childhood education, religious studies, race and ethnic studies, and childhood studies

How do children determine which identity becomes paramount as they grow into adolescence and early adulthood? Which identity results in patterns of behaviour as they develop? To whom or to which group do they feel a sense of belonging? How might children, adolescents and young adults negotiate the gap between their own sense of identity and the values promoted by external influences? The contributors explore the impact of globalization and pluralism on the way most children and adolescents grow into early adulthood. They look at the influences of media and technology that can be felt within the living spaces of their homes, competing with the religious and cultural influences of family and community, and consider the ways many children and adolescents have developed multiple and virtual identities which help them to respond to different circumstances and contexts. They discuss the ways that many children find themselves in a perpetual state of shifting identities without ever being firmly grounded in one, potentially leading to tension and confusion particularly when there is conflict between one identity and another. This can result in increased anxiety and diminished self-esteem. This book explores how parents, educators and social and health workers might have a raised awareness of the issues generated by plural identities and the overpowering human need to belong so that they can address associated issues and nurture a sense of wholeness in children and adolescents as they grow into early adulthood.

Nurturing Child and Adolescent Spirituality: Perspectives from the World's Religious Traditions provides a forum for prominent religious scholars to examine the state of religious knowledge and theological reflection on spiritual development in childhood and adolescence. Featuring essays from thinkers representing the world's major religious traditions, the book introduces new voices, challenges assumptions, raises new questions, and broadens the base of knowledge and investment in this important domain of life. It specifically and intentionally focuses on theological and philosophical perspectives from within religious traditions, creating space for the religious traditions to find their voices. Nurturing Child and Adolescent Spirituality is firmly grounded in the language and priorities of religious studies, and helps stimulate explorations of whether and how religious communities are tapping their own wisdom and strengths in nurturing today's young people in a complex and changing world. Nurturing Child and Adolescent Spirituality will set the stage for new waves of scholarship and dialogue within and across traditions, disciplines, and cultures that will enrich understanding and strengthen how the world's religious traditions, and others, understand and cultivate the spiritual lives of children and adolescents around the globe.

This book empirically reconstructs the relationships of Muslim children to God demonstrating that Muslim children in Germany already show a broad spectrum of different images of God and relations to God already at the age of ten.

In "Raising Muslim Children in the Western World: A Quranic Approach to Parenting," the author addresses the challenges faced by Muslim parents in raising their children in a Western environment. This book provides valuable insights on how to raise children in a way that adheres to Islamic principles and values, while also integrating into Western culture. The book is divided into six main sections. The first section, "Introduction," provides background information on the topic and outlines the purpose and benefits of the book. The second section, "The Context of Raising Muslim Children in the Western World," highlights the challenges and difficulties that Muslim parents face in a Western society and stresses the importance of a Quranic approach to parenting. The third section, "Basic Principles of Education in Islam," discusses the concept of education in Islam and emphasizes religious education as the foundation of Muslim child education. The fourth section, "The Quran as a Source of Education in Muslim Families," focuses on the importance of the Quran in child education and provides guidance on how to read, memorize, and understand Quranic teachings with children. The fifth section, "Quranic Approach to Parenting Muslim Children in the Western World," presents a comprehensive guide to raising children according to Islamic principles. It covers topics such as understanding the role of parents as educators, educating children with love and respect, balancing children's obligations and needs, and introducing the concepts of halal and haram to children. The section also emphasizes the importance of motivating children to build a connection with Allah SWT and to be independent, critical, and creative individuals. The final section, "Overcoming Challenges in Raising Muslim Children in the Western World," addresses the challenges faced by Muslim families in maintaining their Islamic identity and beliefs in a Western environment. It also provides guidance on how to maintain family togetherness and effective communication while balancing Western and Islamic lifestyle needs. Overall, "Raising Muslim Children in the Western World: A Quranic Approach to Parenting" is an invaluable resource for Muslim parents who seek to raise their children according to Islamic principles in a Western society. It provides practical advice and guidance on how to instill Islamic values in their children while navigating the challenges of the Western world.

Whether First Communion or bar mitzvah, religious traditions play a central role in the lives of many American children. In this collection of essays, leading scholars reveal for the first time how various religions interpret, reconstruct, and mediate their traditions to help guide children and their parents in navigating the opportunities and challenges of American life. The book examines ten religions, among other topics: How the Catholic Church confronts the tension between its teachings about children and actual practic The Oglala Lakota's struggle to preserve their spiritual tradition The impact of modernity on Hinduism Only by discussing the unique challenges faced by all religions, and their followers, can we take the first step toward a greater understanding for all of us.

Islam is an all inclusive way of life which covers the intellect and the real, the theoretical and the practical. The major part of the Islamic code of practice and behavior is formalised in the discipline of Islamic law which established itself as a discipline before other Islamic disciplines. The early Muslim jurisconsultants are to be credited as the pioneers of the development of the Islamic legal system. Shaikh Mohammad ibn Hasan ibn 'Ali Abu Ja'far al-Tusi (385-460 AH/995-1067 AD), who was given the honorary title of Shaikh al-Ta'ifat al-Imamiyyah (The Head of the Shi'a Islamic School) was at the orefront of these pioneers. His book Al-Nihayah fi Mojarrad al-Fiqh wa al-Fatawa (A Concise Description of Islamic Law and Legal Opinions) has been recognised as one of the major early sources, references and textbooks in the field of Islamic Law in general and of Shi'a Islamic law in particular. This book has been translated, edited and introduced by Professor A. Ezzati, and published by ICAS Press as the present volume.

The 49th issue of Abstract Digest features a set of studies on child growth, including patterns of child stunting in low- and middle-income countries, various forms of inequities in child growth, and the role of milk in child growth. It also includes studies on obesity in India and the double burden of malnutrition. Anemia is also highlighted in this issue, with one article presenting a framework on integrated action for anemia and the other exploring the timely diagnosis of anemia. This edition also presents various studies examining the factors associated with coverage of antenatal coverage, with maternal behavior change, with kangaroo mother care, and with breastfeeding practices. Two articles focus on frontline workers, and there is a systematic review that examines dietary diversity and undernutrition among school children. Moreover, this issue features authors’ correspondence and responses in The Lancet on gender sensitivity in the National Family Health Surveys.