The Islamic Welfare State explains the relationship between government legitimacy, everyday security, and lived Islam in Pakistan-a major Muslim-majority country. Its humanitarian spirit makes Islam a compelling, community-strengthening faith that motivates people to provide essential services to the needy, to foster moral sentiments that build social solidarity, and to thereby challenge the legitimacy of government with its focus on 'protecting Islam' and 'national security' rather than enhancing the lives of ordinary people. The book surveys four kinds of Islamic charities-traditional, professional, partisan, and state. The focus is on ground realities, on the activities of welfare workers and beneficiaries, mostly patients and students from low-income families. The attention to the different political sentiments that different kinds of charity foster allows us to better understand politics and political change in Pakistan and across the Muslim world.

Explains the appeal of the 'Islamic Welfare State,' and why Pakistanis have great faith in the country but deep distrust of its governments.

About the Author
Christopher Candland is a Professor of Political Science at Wellesley College. He has been a fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations and the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars. To research The Islamic Welfare State, Candland travelled across Pakistan over sixty weeks, visiting more than one hundred Muslim charities.

Reviews
'Candland takes us on a transformative journey, weaving together heartfelt stories, deep research, and political understanding.' Noryn Ali, former Secretary, Baithak Schools Network
'Candland's goodwill and sincerity gave him access to charitable activities across Pakistan, allowing him to see humanitarianism in practice.' Qibla Ayaz, Chairman, Council of Islamic Ideology, Islamic Republic of Pakistan



Book Information
ISBN 9781009268431
Author Christopher Candland
Format Hardback
Page Count 320
Imprint Cambridge University Press
Publisher Cambridge University Press
Weight(grams) 685g
Dimensions(mm) 235mm * 160mm * 27mm