Search results for ‘Subject term:"social policy"’ Sort:
Results 1 - 2 of 2
Social welfare and religion in the Middle East: a Lebanese perspective
- Author:
- JAWAD Rana
- Publisher:
- Policy Press
- Publication year:
- 2009
- Pagination:
- 315p., bibliog.
- Place of publication:
- Bristol
The way in which social policy and major religions have interacted in national welfare settings around the world are examined. Direct evidence of the lived experience of social welfare in the Middle East, based on Lebanese case studies and supporting examples from Egypt, Iran and Turkey are reported. Social welfare is explored as a system of provision and a measure of outcomes in Lebanon, with supplementary evidence from the other countries. Discusses how solidarity and social cohesion are understood and experienced in the Middle East. The preceding empirical discussion of social welfare is summarised and a welfare model based on the Lebanese case is presented. The practical implications of religious welfare for social policy in the region are considered and recommendations provided.
Islam, social traditions and family planning
- Author:
- HASNA Fadia
- Journal article citation:
- Social Policy and Administration, 37(2), April 2003, pp.181-197.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
This article explores the doctrine of Islam and the different theological interpretations of the position of Islam about family planning in Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Iran and Jordan, following the Sunni and Shia traditions. Principles that led to fatwas (rulings) in both these theological traditions, together with the main arguments of the debate between the proponents and opponents of family planning in Islam and the Higher Judge’s interpretation (Islamic Courts in Jordan) of the position of Islam on family planning, are included. Men’s and women’s views are summarized, based on the findings of natural group discussions and in–depth interviews conducted in 1998 with couples and individuals within their social networks in the different contexts in Jordan. Based on a gap analysis between doctrine, policy and people’s beliefs, this study shows a need for family planning programmes to address men and women in a culturally sensitive manner: Men shape reproductive decisions. It is therefore argued that if men were more pro–actively involved in family–planning awareness campaigns, there might be a transformation of values and perceptions around fertility and family planning. Another conclusion drawn from the findings is that local resources, especially religious men, can be instrumental in promoting political trust in—and a sense of ownership of—family planning programmes in Jordan. Using local resources in advocacy for family planning, based on the cultural context of Shari’ah, seems effective in changing the reproductive behaviour of men.