Watkins Bookshop London Jun 29

Watkins Bookshop London Jun 29

Daniel Thomas Dyer discusses Sufism as a framework for providing a more holistic education for our children today. Using his recently published illustrated family guide to the Islamic 99 Names of God, Daniel explores how critical thinking, creative imagination, meditation, and spiritual practice can be combined to deliver a more balanced, heart-based experience of ourselves and our world.

A Rabbi’s Reflections

A Rabbi’s Reflections

Book Review of The 99 Names of God by Rabbi Yonassan Gershom:

Although The 99 Names is intended for Muslim children, it’s really a treasure for all ages and faiths. In fact, it could be used as a basic primer on spirituality, and would be a fine addition to any religious library. I defy anyone to read this book and not come away with a deeper appreciation of God’s presence in the universe.

The British Islam Conference Feb 25-26

The British Islam Conference Feb 25-26

We’re excited to be presenting at The British Islam Conference this year, organised by New Horizons. We’ll be using our new book, The 99 Names of God, to talk about how we can teach our children a more holistic approach to Islam by highlighting Islam’s rich treasury of female voices, fostering a sense of God’s immanence as well as transcendence, promoting an appreciation of other faiths, and nurturing ecological as well as social awareness. Let us know if you are coming – and book your tickets now…

Reflections on al-Azim, the Tremendous

Reflections on al-Azim, the Tremendous

with Matthew Bain

I find myself drawn to Allah’s names of majesty and wrath such as al-Azim, the Tremendous. Daniel chooses strong words and images on these pages: earthquakes, sinews, mountains, cracks and dust.

Through the cracks wrought by earthquake and mountain-splitting, there is always the leavening of light which Daniel invokes using a Leonard Cohen quote. Daniel could have gone back to Rumi for the original but it is in the spirit of this wonderful book to embrace variety and diversity wherever possible…

Mother Nature and the 99 Names

Mother Nature and the 99 Names

One of the aims of The 99 Names of God is to help children, parents, and teachers build a spiritual link to the natural world, making us aware that God communicates to us through nature in the most beautiful, awesome, playful, and sublime manner. Young and old are encouraged to see how we learn spiritual and ethical lessons in the natural world, how we are nourished by it inwardly and outwardly, and that outside of the human soul, it is nature that is the ultimate playground for the manifestation of Allah’s Names…

Reflections on as-Salam, the Source of Peace

Reflections on as-Salam, the Source of Peace

with Debra Shatoff

As infants, we are welcomed into this world by You, the Source of Peace, when we are gently placed on our mother’s chest, above her beating heart. We feel deeply cared for, warm and safe. When we are close to You, Beloved, there is that same deep feeling of inner peace, as if we are resting on Your tender chest. With each inhale and exhale, with as-Salam on our lips and in our heart, You draw us in, even closer. Perhaps this is what You speak of in the Holy Quran when You say You are closer to us than our jugular vein…

They’re here!

They’re here!

The books have finally arrived! And Daniel looks pleased with the finished product…phew!

We hope that all UK pre-orders will be delivered before Christmas – and if you want to order more (or haven’t yet ordered – what?!) then place your orders now!

We look forward to hearing your feedback – please do share a picture when you get your copy!

Gone to print!

Gone to print!

By the grace of God we have sent the final files to the printer and as we speak our book is being put together! It should be arriving into our distributor’s warehouse the first week of December and from there your pre-ordered copies will make their way to you, arriving hopefully before the Xmas postal dash…

Bradford Literature Festival May 2016

Bradford Literature Festival May 2016

We’re delighted to be presenting another storytelling session at the Bradford Literature Festival this year! With over 200 events featuring world renowned speakers, artists and authors, Bradford is the place to be from the 20th to the 29th of May! See details about our event below and others that we are proud to be supporting. Let us know if you are coming – don’t forget to book your tickets and share with your family and friends…

December Delights!

December Delights!

We have had a very busy December so far here at Chickpea Press. At the beginning of the month we visited Aisha Gray Henry of Fons Vitae over in Louisville, Kentucky. Fons Vitae are publishing an Islamic curriculum for children based around the works of Al-Ghazali. This important work introduces children to the beauty of genuine Islam, with a focus on attending to the inner aspect of the heart, on compassion, tolerance and spiritual insight. Check out their Launchgood page and become a part of this amazing project…

Let there be Light!

Let there be Light!

We’ve been working with the first of our two young contributors to THE 99 NAMES OF ALLAH recently. Joya Dettman is working with Daniel on developing An Nur: The Light. She had some insightful and illuminating reflections to share. Joya used her prism to help us explore the concept of light and colour. We look forward to putting her thoughts into the book…

Festival update and workshops

Festival update and workshops

We had a wonderful time at the Bradford Literature Festival. The storytelling sessions were kicked off by Rabbi Shoshana Boyd Gelfand, author of The Barefoot Book of Jewish Tales, a beautiful book that captivated us all (we’ll be hearing more from her soon we hope!). Then we presented stories and songs from Sufi Tales. We had an excellent, engaged audience with children and parents joining in the singing…

Bradford Literature Festival

Bradford Literature Festival

We are proud to be supporting the Bradford Literature Festival, taking place from the 15th to the 24th of May. The festival will be celebrating the written and spoken word and showcasing the intimate relationship between words and art forms such as film, theatre and music, set against the city’s distinctive backdrop. With over 150 events featuring world renowned speakers, artists and authors…

You Did It!

You Did It!

Whoo-hoo we made it! Thank you so much for your support in getting us fully funded! What an amazing two months it has been…we are absolutely blown away by the generosity of everyone who has been involved, not just through donations but sharing, sharing, sharing!

Valentine’s Day Showcase

Valentine’s Day Showcase

We are so excited to be attending Rumi’s Circle event this Saturday with Mahmoud Mostafa who will be speaking about The Spiritual Practice of Rumi! We will be showcasing sample pages from The 99 Names of Allah and answering questions. Join us for wonderful reflections and company – your evening is still free for romantic plans!