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Why do Orientalists have a problem with the Authenticity of the Qur'an? |
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Since the beginning of the late middle ages, Orientalists, majority in the form of Christian missionaries attempted to assail the Qur’an. This assault has continued throughout modern times, by various orientalists who were more secular in their approach and used modern research and techniques to prove with varying arguments and assumptions that the Qur’an was infact the work of the Prophet (pbuh). Dr Ahmad Al-Achtar, Lecturer in Islamic studies, Heythrop College, University of London will discuss the arguments and assumptions made by Orientalists against the authenticity of the Qur’an and the Muslim response.
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Faith & Reason: a Paradox? with Dr. M. A Shomali |
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 In “Open Discussion” session onTuesday 14th August at Abrar House, Dr Mohammad Ali Shomali, coeditor of Catholic-Muslim Engagement spoke on the issue of Faith and Reason. He discussed the historic dialectical relationship between reason and faith. He also dealt with the role of reason and intellect in understanding text and revelation within various schools of thought in Islamand other monotheistic faiths’. Dr Shomali examined the changing relationship between reason and faith over the years and the effect on society. He presented some of the arguments that are being put forward to indicate the separation between reason and faith, as the latter deals with metaphysical issues while reason is sometimes unable to grasp their implications.
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Do the Islamic Movements Have a Future? |
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 An Open Discussion session was held at Abrar House on Tuesday19th March. Dr Abdul Wahab El Affendi, of the University of Westminster, led the discussion on a Critique of the Islamic Movement which he de- fined as “that which organically en- shrines Islamic values”. As such, the Islamic movement, he said, took the role of the ulama (scholars) and man- aged to attract many massive following. For it to be successful, it had to be concerned with the worldly needs of the people. One of the main features of the Islamic movement is that it is high in rhetorics, but also in pragmatism.
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[Re] Interpretation of the Primary Islamic texts |
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 Sheikh Mumisa touched on the works of classical/traditional scholars of Qur’anic interpretation such as Jalal al-Din al-Suyuti as well as contemporary scholars like Fazlur Rahman and Professor Nasr Hamid Abu Zayd. He also discussed the work of present scholars who are motivated by the belief that contemporary interpretation of primary sources of Islam must build upon the tafsir of the past and at the same time point towards a tafsir for the present and future. |
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Imam Ali (AS): The Epitome of Unity - Mohamed Hilli and Omar Ali Grant |
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On the joyful occasion of the birth of the cousin of the Prophet of Islam, Open Discussions decided to discuss the virtues of this noble man who was able to single handedly hold the Muslim community together after the demise of the Prophet Mohammed (saw). Mohammed Hilli, a Pharmacist by profession, and Omar Ali Grant, student at the Islamic College for Advance Studies gave an insightful outlook into the life of Ali (as). The political stance of Ali (as) and his standing within Islam was put up for discussion. More interesting however, was the view of both the Shia and Sunni schools of thought on matters regarding Ali (as). Though the political differences between both schools are quite vivid, their respect for Ali (as) is a common ground, which proved to be a positive angle on the relations between both schools – something we hope and pray will become better. |
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