The Islamic persective in social work education and practice: A personal and professional journey

Journal: Journal of Practice Teaching in Health and Social Work

Volume: 8

Pages: 65-78

ISSN: 1460-6690

DOI: 10.1921/146066909X478938

Abstract:

The origins of this conceptual paper have their roots in over a decade of experience as both an academic and a practitioner involved in social work with Muslim populations in the UK and internationally. The manifold and eclectic sources of inspiration encountered over the years finally culminated in a co-authored book (Islam and Social Work: debating values, transforming practice), with my colleagues Drs Fatima Husain and Basia Spalek, which was published last summer. I have since had the opportunity to discuss our research findings at a keynote lecture under the auspices of the Journal of Practice Teaching and Learning; the main points of which are explored in a greater detail here.

The rather venerable cliché of a journey, used in the title of this paper, nevertheless aptly describes the circuitous and sometimes tortuous routes that led me to a greater understanding and appreciation of Islamic perspectives in welfare. This useful motif here encompasses both the personal and the professional pilgrimage, in which one has underpinned and informed the other.

Source: Manual

Preferred by: Sara Ashencaen Crabtree