
The Charitable Crescent
Politics of Aid in the Muslim World
I.B. Tauris (Publisher)
2nd Edition
Published on 22. August 2003
Book
Hardback
256 pages
978-1-86064-901-1 (ISBN)
Article exhausted; check for reprint
Description
'Islamic Charity Under Suspicion': such headlines have become familiar since the attacks on the United States on 9.11. The Charitable Crescent is a unique and original account of a hitherto little-known field of pivotal significance to our understanding of the Muslim world today: the relationship between politics and philanthropy in the workings of Islamic charities. Based on years of research, Jonathan Benthall and Jerome Bellion-Jourdan explain the long tradition of philanthropy in Muslim history and how it is constantly adapted to differing political contexts. The pervasive connections between charity and politics in the Middle East demonstrate how naive it is to think of humanitarianism as a sphere distinct from politics. The Charitable Crescent covers all aspects of this topic that has become so relevant in today's world: who is entitled to benefit from Muslim alms? Can material relief aid be de-linked from political, or sometimes even violent, action? How can public trust (both Western and Islamic) in welfare delivery systems be won? Who is entitled to interpret Islamic doctrine?
Is there one universal tradition of humanitarianism, or many traditions defined by cultural history? This book offers rich practical insights highly relevant to today's highly tense international climate, and also encourages the reader to challenge the common Western assumption that 'we' are the exclusive providers of aid to rescue a passive Third World.
Is there one universal tradition of humanitarianism, or many traditions defined by cultural history? This book offers rich practical insights highly relevant to today's highly tense international climate, and also encourages the reader to challenge the common Western assumption that 'we' are the exclusive providers of aid to rescue a passive Third World.
Reviews / Votes
Times Literary Supplement: "an important contribution to the neglected field of Islamic philanthropy." The Times Higher Education Supplement "the first time anyone has attempted to look at the issue of charity in the Muslim world and put it in the context of contemporary global politics... useful and essential... The Charitable Crescent should also be on the bedside table of every Muslim and non-Muslim administrator and politician dealing with the complexities of nations and societies with a Muslim populations." Humanitarian Affairs Review "...challenges the assumption spread in the western world that humanitarian assistance is solely provided by developed countries... The issue is all the more relevant since the war on terrorism has stigmatised the activities of Islamic humanitarian groups."More details
Edition
2nd ed.
Language
English
Place of publication
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Dimensions
Height: 234 mm
Width: 156 mm
ISBN-13
978-1-86064-901-1 (9781860649011)
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Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
New editions

Jonathan Benthall | Jerome Bellion-Jourdan
The Charitable Crescent
Politics of Aid in the Muslim World
Book
11/2008
2nd Edition
I.B. Tauris
€52.18
Article exhausted; check different version
Additional editions

Jonathan Benthall | Jerome Bellion-Jourdan
The Charitable Crescent
Politics of Aid in the Muslim World
E-Book
08/2003
1st Edition
I.B. Tauris
€24.99
Available for download
Persons
Jonathan Benthall is the former Director of the Royal Anthropological Institute and Editor of 'Anthropology' Today and author of 'Disasters, Relief and The Media'. Currently a Honorary Research Fellow in the Department of Anthropology, University College London, and Chair of the International NGO Training and Research Centre, Oxford. Jerome Bellion-Jourdan has a doctorate in Political Science from the Institut d'Etudes Politiques, Paris, and has been a research fellow at the Centre for International Studies and Research, Paris, and a lecturer at Cairo University.