A Guided Journal for the Bereaved Muslim Parent

Reviewed by: Imran Mogra, Birmingham, UK

Published by: London: Ta-Ha Publishers Ltd, 2023, 88pp. ISBN: 978-1915357182.

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This hardcover, spiral bound and beautifully presented journal for bereaved Muslim parents has been funded by Birmingham Women’s and Children’s Hospital Charity. It is part of the Red Balloon Resources from the Centre for Paediatric Spiritual Care. Its project manager, Reverend Dr Paul Nash, is passionate about resources to help support the work of healthcare chaplaincy. The author is a UK-based Muslim healthcare chaplain who is also a qualified teacher, ḥijāmah therapist and life coach.

The journal begins with the opening chapter of the Qurʾān which is also known as the Cure (al-Shāfiyah). The author has rightly positioned the Fātiḥah in Arabic and its rendering in English demonstrating the central role it plays in the well-being and lives of Muslims. The pastel colours of the pages are varied, not only does this demarcate the different sections to improve organisation but it also aids navigation and increases engagement.

The journal is described as a compassionate friend, offering to be a safe space to free its users to be themselves in pouring out their feelings and thoughts without being hurried or judged. Once they are ready, it is comforting to read that users are then invited to first name their journal as this is expected to bring a deeper appreciation of the things that they hope to gain.