Muslim communities in the United Kingdom have important contributions to make to the local communities and broader societies in which they live. Yet these communities, and Islam more broadly, are often the subject of misunderstanding and vilification.
Whereas Islamic legal and political traditions have, at key points, inspired and informed Western political and intellectual traditions and British Muslims have historically made, and continue to make, important contributions at every level of British life, portrayals of their religion and identity still often seem to focus on terrorism, intolerance and issues such as female genital mutilation and forced marriages.
A Fresh Look at Islam in a Multi- Faith World makes a comprehensive case for a contemporary educational philosophy in our schools, with a view to playing a key role in creating mindsets that are resistant to radicalisation and encouraging of productive intercultural relations. Dr Wilkinsons analysis of the history curriculums potential role in creating a forum for discussion to address the ignorance that leads to the misunderstanding of our communities adds real value to this important discussion, and to the wider debate around how we educate our children.
Rt. Hon. Sadiq Khan MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Justice, Shadow Lord Chancellor and Shadow Minister for London
In this ground-breaking, potentially game-changing book, Matthew Wilkinson shows how critical realism can be used to inform the Islamic tradition, so as to generate a fresh and vital take on Islam. In doing so, it begins to return to that tradition the kind of intellectual fertility it had in the early middle ages, which went on to spark the European Renaissance and modern science, and restores it to an intellectual relevance, depth and rigour that it has often in recent times lacked. In particular, it will be of enormous value to teachers who wish to show their students how Islam can be a productive member of the family of faiths in contemporary times.
Professor Roy Bhaskar, World Scholar, Institute of Education, University of London
This remarkable integration of Islamic wisdom with critical realist theory energetically tackles some of modern Britains most pressing issues in curriculum design and community integration.
Tim Winter, Shaykh Zayed Lecturer in Islamic Studies, University of Cambridge Dean, Cambridge Muslim College
Using detailed research into the experience of Muslim boys, Matthew Wilkinson examines the intellectual, social and spiritual blocks to young Muslims engaging in British democracy and to owning the open- minded intellectual tradition once characteristic of Islam. One important remedy is a rigorous history education. Young Muslims need historical knowledge if they are to connect being authentically British to being seriously Muslim and to participate fully in the civic life of Britain. Far from suggesting that British history is not important, Wilkinson argues that it is centrally important, and that its completeness requires a rigour in identifying interconnections across British, European and world history. History teachers wishing to reflect on the past, present and future relationship of Islam with Britain will find much food for thought in this book.
Christine Counsell, Senior Lecturer in History Education, Faculty of Education, University of Cambridge
Matthew Wilkinson combines broad and deep scholarship with practical experience and penetrating philosophical analysis in this survey of Islam in a multi- faith world. He presents a persuasive case for a new theoretical approach to education regarding Islam and Muslims in Britain today and illustrates its application in some humanities subjects.
His telling remarks on religious education and citizenship, in particular, are very topical and relevant. If fully adopted, his approach could transform education in our schools and the relationship between Muslims and non- Muslims in our society.
John Keast OBE, Chair, Religious Education Council of England and Wales
Matthew Wilkinson is an expert in the education of young Muslims as well as in the teaching of Islam in UK schools. His book delivers exceptional insights into our secondary education system and is of value to anyone interested in reflecting on the challenges raised by living in contemporary multi-faith Britain.
Dr Wilkinsons book makes an important contribution to todays debate about how we educate our children and I have no doubt that it will become a standard work in the fields of education, Islamic and interfaith studies.
Dr Edward Kessler MBE, Executive Director, Woolf Institute, Cambridge
In our rapidly changing world, all of us, Christians and Muslims alike, need as much help as we can get in relating what we believe to the often confusing problems of daily living. The traditions in which we stand, properly understood, give us stability and enrichment to approach these, but they still require wisdom in application. I warmly commend this book for the thoughtful contribution it offers to the gaining of that wisdom for both teachers and learners.
Lord Richard Harries of Pentregarth, Former Bishop of Oxford
This book makes an important contribution to an ongoing debate both about the way subjects on the curriculum are framed and about how the diversity of contemporary British society can and does renew and refresh that debate.
Dr Wilkinson is well positioned to understand and reflect the implications of the social cohesion debate as it impinges on curriculum reform and has, here, identified many of the factors which could make a difference to how that debate is at present conceived.
As such, this book is to be very much welcomed and will start a new and engaging phase of discussion at a critical moment for fresh thinking about the way that faith in general, and Islam in particular, are addressed in our schools.
Mary Earl, University Lecturer and Convenor, Initial Teacher Training in Religious Studies, Faculty of Education, University of Cambridge
With his expertise and experience, Matthew Wilkinsons thoughtful narrative is valuable reading for learners, educators and policy-makers, and all others who seek to deepen mutual understanding and tolerance between believers in contemporary, multi-faith Britain. I highly commend it to all.
Rt Hon. Simon Hughes MP, Minister for Justice and Civil Liberties
