156 pages
234 x 156mm
ISBN-10: 1 85856 356 9
ISBN-13: 978 1 85856 356 5
April 2006

Music has had an unhappy history in the lives of many Muslims. Because religion is so tightly bound up with culture it is not always clear why this should be so. Nonetheless, music is a sensitive issue for many Muslims and this has to be understood when providing appropriate music education. Music is a compulsory part of the curriculum in the UK, so it is essential that music teachers understand the relationship between Muslims and music.

This book looks at the history and position of music in Islam. It considers music education in Muslim countries, and looks at music lessons in multiethnic classrooms in the UK. The recommendations about how music lessons can be made more appropriate to Muslim pupils are based on the varied views of Muslims in the UK and Pakistan. The author suggests ways to ensure that people are never persuaded to do anything which conflicts with their religion, while extending the opportunity for meaningful music lessons for all pupils.

This book is for all managers striving to fulfil their statutory obligations to all pupils, and it is essential reading for music teachers in multicultural schools.

Dr Diana Harris is a researcher in music education an associate lecturer at the Open University.

... eye-opening stuff...should be read widely by parents, mosque officials and imams. - Fazl Rahman, AMR News (Association of Muslim Researchers).