Simon Ross Valentine – författare

For much of its history Bradford was a small town in West Yorkshire and a local centre for the wool trade. Industrialisation in the nineteenth century transformed it. Textile mills, coal mining and iron manufacturing developed rapidly in the area and the town became known as the wool capital of the world. By the end of the century Bradford had become a county borough and city, and the rising population included many immigrants from Ireland and Germany. Large numbers of churches of all denominations were built in Victorian Bradford for these people, particularly Nonconformist chapels and churches, which particularly appealed to the urban population, and the building continued into the twentieth century, although some of the older churches became repurposed.Churches of Bradford reveals the variety of historic church buildings in the city. All the churches in this book have special architectural, historical and/or social interest. This fascinating picture of an important part of the history of Bradford over the centuries will be of interest to all those who live in or are visiting this city.

Wahhabism is an Islamic reform movement found mainly in Saudi Arabia. Closely linked to the Saudi monarchy, it enforces a strict code of morality and conduct monitored by mutawa (religious police), and governs every facet of Saudi life according to its own strict interpretation of Shariah, including gender segregation. Wahhabism also prohibits the practice of any other faith (even other forms of Islam) in Saudi Arabia, which is also the only country that forbids women from driving. But what exactly is Wahhabism? This question had long occupied Valentine, so he lived in the Kingdom for three years, familiarising himself with its distinct interpretation of Islam. His book defines Wahhabism and Wahhabi beliefs and considers the life and teaching of Muham-mad ibn Abd'al Wahhab and the later expansion of his sect.Also discussed are the rejection of later developments in Islam such as bid'ah; harmful innovations, among them celebrating the prophet's birthday and visiting the tombs of saints; the destruction of holy sites due to the fear of idolatry; Wahhabi law, which imposes the death sentence for crimes as archaic as witch- craft and sorcery, and the connection of Wahhabism with militant Islam globally. Drawing on interviews with Saudis from all walks of life, including members of the feared mutawa, this book appraises of one of the most significant movements in contemporary Islam.