Product Description

Information on the long and varied relationship between Islam and Scotland that began as early as the seventh century is non-existent. The Thistle and the Crescent has been written to fill this gap. Whereas up to the middle of the twentieth century, there were fewer than 500 Muslims living in Scotland, there are now more than 50,000. Yet, knowledge about this community and their faith is thin. Events such as the 2007 Glasgow airport firebombing have an effect on public attitudes and The Thistle and the Crescent covers Muslims reception by Scots and Scotland up to the present day. Includes a chapter on the beliefs and practices of Islam which counteracts many misconceptions.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #750469 in Books
• Published on: 2008-02-21
• Format: Illustrated
• Original language: English
• Binding: Hardcover
• 256 pages

Review
. . . provides a fascinating new perspective. . . Bashir Maan deserves credit for this first ever attempt to follow the story of Scotland and Islam. --Rt Hon Alex Salmond MSP, MP

A pioneering study of Scottish-Islam relations which will be of deep interest in today s world. --Professor Tom Devine

About the Author
Bashir Maan is a well-known Muslim. He arrived in Scotland from Pakistan in the early 1950s as a student and quickly became prominent as a spokesman for the growing immigrant group. He entered politics and became the first Muslim city councillor in the UK, when in 1970 he was elected as a member of Glasgow City Council. He has served as a magistrate of the city, as a District Court Judge, as Deputy Chairman of the Commission for Racial Equality, as President of the Scottish Council of Voluntary Organisations and as Convenor of Strathclyde Joint Police Board. He allowed his Labour party membership to lapse over the Blair-Bush Iraq invasion.