Islamic Monitor

“Say [O Messenger]: If you love God, follow me:

God will love you.” – Al-Qur’an

Dr. Mozammel Haque

The Messenger taught his Companions to love God, and the Qur’an taught them in return: “Say [O Messenger]: If you love God, follow me: God will love you and forgive you your sins.” (Al-Qur’an; 3:31)

This is the month of Rabi al-Awwal, when Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), the last and final Prophet of Almighty Allah, was born in Makkah. The Holy Qur’an, the Final Revealed Book, was revealed to him through Angel Gabriel. I was reading a book: The Messenger: The Meanings of the Life of Muhammad, (peace be upon him by Tariq Ramadan and I am presenting some of his thoughts and ideas through this column. “He (The Prophet) received and transmitted the last revealed book, the Qur’an, which repeatedly insists on the eminent and singular position of the Messenger of God, all at once a prophet, a bearer of news, a model, and a guide. He was but a man, yet he acted to transform the world in the light of Revelation and inspirations he received from God, but also fully accepted his own humanity in what makes Muhammad an example and a guide for the Muslim faithful.” (page ix)

Intimate relationship of trust and love

While pointing out the intimate relationship of love and trust, Professor Ramadan wrote: The essence of the Islamic message is wholly expressed in this intimate relationship of trust and love with the Most High, establishing a direct link between the individual and his or her Creator, Who has chosen to demonstrate exemplary behaviour through a messenger, a human being, whom He has set as a model. Three verses were later to synthesize the exact substance of this teaching: “When My servants as you concerning Me; I am indeed close [to them]: I respond to the prayer of every supplicant when he or she calls on Me.” (Al-Qur’an; 2:186)

The Prophet (peace be upon him), at the heart of this intimate relationship, opens the way: Allah the Almighty said: “Say: If you love God, follow me: God will love you and forgive you your sins.” (Al-Qur’an; 3:31)

The Prophet is the epitome of the human being aspiring to the divine beyond the finitude of life: Al-Qur’an says: “You have indeed in the Messenger of God an excellent example for the person who hopes in [aspires to get close to] God and the final Day and who remembers God intensely.” (Al-Qur’an; 33:21)

Not to compromise principles for wealth and power

In the early years in Makkah when the situation was getting increasingly difficult for Muslims, when insults, rejection, and ill-treatment became the rule, Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) began looking for a solution to alleviate the trials and suffering endured by the first Muslims. He was thought of approaching Walid, the chief of the Makhzum clan. Professor Ramadan wrote the story thus: “While he was setting forth his arguments and trying to win Walid’s support, the Prophet was interrupted by a blind man, poor and old, who had already converted to Islam and was asking him to recite some surahs from the Qur’an for him. Muhammad first turned aside calmly, but he soon became irritated by the insistence of this old man, who was preventing him from presenting his case to Walid. The chief, full of contempt, eventually refused even to hear the matter. A surah was to be revealed as a result of this incident, requiring Muslims to draw a lesson from it for eternity:

“In the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful. He (the Prophet] frowned and turned away, because the blind man came to him. But what could you tell but that perhaps he might grow in purity? Or that he might receive admonition, and the reminder might profit him? As to one who regards himself as self-sufficient, you attend to him, though it is no blame to you if he does not grow in purity. But as to he who came to you striving earnestly, and with fear [in his heart], of him you were unmindful. By no means [should it be so]! For it is indeed a message of remembrance. Therefore let who will, keep it in remembrance.” (Al-Qur’an; 80:1-12)

“The Prophet, moved by his desire to protect his community, is here reproached by his Educator, who teaches him never to turn away from a human being, regardless of whatever difficult circumstances the Prophet might be facing, even though the person might be poor, old and blind. Seeking the protection of a person of distinction, socially and politically useful, Muhammad (peace be upon him) had neglected a poor man, apparently of no significance to his cause, who was asking for spiritual solace; this mistake, this moral slip, is recorded in the Qur’an, which through this story teaches Muslims never to neglect a human being, never to turn away from the poor and needy, but rather to serve and love them. The Prophet was never to forget this teaching, and he repeatedly invoked God, saying: “O God, we implore You to grant us piety, dignity, [spiritual], wealth, and love of the poor.”

Commenting on this Professor Ramadan wrote: “No one must ever let power or social, economic, or political interests turn him or her away from other human beings, from the attention they deserve and the respect they are entitled to. Nothing must ever lead a person to compromise this principle of faith in favour of a political strategy aimed at saving or protecting a community from some peril. The freely offered, sincere heart of a poor, powerless individual is worth a thousand times more in the sight of God than the assiduously courted, self-interested heart of a rich one.” (page 48-49).

“History, with its many examples of how the thirst for power and wealth has led individuals to compromise their principles, has since taught us how true this intuition was. In this respect, another of the Prophet’s warnings echoes in our minds, addressing his spiritual community for the centuries to come: “For every [spiritual] community there is an object of discord, tension, and disorder [fitnah], and for my community, this object is money.”, quoted by Professor Ramadan (page 49).

Begin every act invoking the Name

of Allah the Almighty

While writing the biography of the Prophet (peace be upon him), Professor Ramadan mentioned another incident. The Quraysh were at a loss about how to prevent the Prophet’s message from spreading further. They decided to send a delegation to Yathrib to ask Jewish dignitaries. The Rabbis suggested the people of Makkah should ask him three key questions. Back in Makkah, they went to the Prophet (peace be upon him) and asked him the three questions. The Prophet replied almost instantly: “I shall answer your questions tomorrow!” (page 57)

But the next day, the Angel Gabriel did not appear. There was no Revelation. Nor did the Angel come the day after. Professor Ramadan said, “Two weeks later, he received a Revelation and an explanation: “Never say of anything, “I shall do that tomorrow,” except: “If God so wills,” and remember your Lord [Rabb, “Educator”] when you forget, and say: “I hope that my Lord will guide me ever closer than this to the right course.” (Al-Qur’an; 18:23-24)

“This Revelation once again involved and a teaching: it reminded the Prophet that his status, his knowledge, and his fate depended on his Rabb, on the One and Sovereign God, and that he must never forget it. This is how one should understand the meaning of the phrase Insha Allah, “if God so wills”: it expresses the awareness of limits, the feeling of humility of one who acts while knowing that beyond what he or she can do or say, God alone has the power to make things happen. This is by no means a fatalistic message: it implies not that one should not act but, on the contrary, that one should never stop acting while always being aware in one’s mind and heart of the real limits of human power. For the second time, the Prophet was called to account by the Transcendent. Whatever adversity one faces, one’s strength and freedom on earth consist in remaining constantly aware of one’s dependence on the Creator.” (page 57)

“Only later was the Prophet to receive the answers to the three questions he had been asked. The delay was paradoxically to strengthen the believers’ conviction and to baffle the Prophet’s interlocutors: his initial inability to answer and then the belated communication of Revelation proved that Muhammad (peace be upon him) was not the author of the Book that was being constituted and that he did actually depend on his Rabb’s will,” wrote Professor Ramadan (Page 58).

Remember God’s Infinite Power and never

pronounce final judgement on anybody

While narrating the story of Umar’s conversion, Professor Ramadan wrote: Umar had gone out of his home determined to kill the Prophet, blinded by his absolute negation of the One God; there he was, a few hours later, changed, transformed, as the result of a conversion induced by a text and the meaning of God. He was to become one of the most faithful Companions of the man he had wished dead.”

Commenting on Umar’s conversion, Professor Ramadan wrote: “This heart’s revolution was a sign, and it carried a twofold teaching: that nothing is impossible for God, and that one should not pronounce final judgements on anything or anybody. This was a reminder of the need of humility in all circumstances: for a human being, remembering God’s infinite power should mean healthy self-doubt as to oneself and suspending one’s judgement as to others. Thus, the more he moved forward with God, every day becoming more of a model for his Companions and for eternity, the more the Prophet was attaining humility and modesty as expressed in being, knowledge, and judgement.” (Page 65).

Key to Paradise

This year, 2013, during the month of Rabi al-Awwal, I was reading a book , Biography of the Prophet (peace be upon him) written by Shaikh Abdullah Ibn Al-Shaikh Muhammad Ibn Abdul Wahab, translated by Sameh Strauch and published by Darussalam, in 2006.

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said to Mu’az, “Oh, Mu’az! You are going to People of the Scripture and they will ask you regarding the keys to Paradise; tell them that the keys to Paradise are the words: “La Illaha Illallah” (None has the right to be worshipped except Allah). These words pass through everything until they reach Allah, and there is no barrier between Him and it. Whoever comes on the day of Resurrection with these words, sincerely, they will outweigh his sins.” (Vol. II, page 859)

Equality before law

During the Conquest of Makkah, a woman from Banu Makhzoom stole something and the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) was informed of it and he ordered that her hand be cut off, as reported in the authentic Hadith. Her people hastened to Usamah Ibn Zaid Ibn Harithah to ask him to intercede for her with the Prophet (peace be upon him). When Usamah interceded for her with the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), the colour of the face of Allah’s Messenger changed and he said, ‘Do you intercede with me in a matter involving one of the legal punishments prescribed by Allah?”

In the afternoon, the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) got up and delivered a sermon to the people. He praised Allah as He deserves to be praised and then said; “Amma Badu

(To proceed): The nations prior to you were destroyed because if a noble person amongst them stole, they used to excuse him, and if a poor person amongst them stole, they .would inflict the legal punishment on him. By Him in Whose Hand is Muhammad’s soul, if Fatimah, the daughter of Muhammad stole, I would cut off her hand.” (Vol. II, page 689).

SeminarontheLifeoftheProphet

(PBUH)andtheUMOunderDr.Pasha

Dr.MozammelHaque

A Seminar on the Life of the Prophet (Peace be upon him) was organised by the Union of Muslim Organisations of UK & Eire (UMO) on Thursday, the 7^th of February, 2012 at Churchill Hotel, London. This is a legacy of Dr. Syed Aziz Pasha, the former General Secretary of the UMO. Dr. Pasha passed away in November 2011. This is the second time the UMO is organising this Seminar on Thursday, 7^th of February, 2013 at the same place where Dr. Pasha used to hold it for the last 40 years.

Beingadevout,dedicated,practisingMuslim,Dr.SyedAzizPashadevotedhisentireoctogenarianlifeforthespreadoftheMessageofIslamthroughinterfaithdialogue.TopromoteunitybetweentheMuslims,tofacilitatetheupbringingofMuslimchildreninamoralandspiritualatmosphereandtospreadtheMessageofIslamthroughinterfaithdialogueinthewidercircleweretheguidingprinciplesofDr.Pasha’slife.

BorninanaristocraticSyedfamilyofMadras,broughtupinacountrywhereMuslimsareminorityandhavingbasicIslamictrainingathome,Dr.SyedAzizPashadevelopedanideologicalcommitment,aconvictionandamissiontowhichheremainedfirm,unchangeableandunyieldingtillhisdeath.HehadasolidgroundingtounderstandtheimportanceofDawahworktolivepeacefullyandharmoniouslywithhisculturalandreligiousidentity.

ThisunderstandingandknowledgebecamemorevaluableandeffectivewhenhewenttotheUnitedStatesofAmericaforhigherstudieswhereheobtainedSJD(DoctorateinJuridicalScience)equivalenttoPh.D.intheUnitedKingdom.Butwhenhecametothiscountry,thefirstthingwhichhethoughtindispensableistobringunitywithintheMuslimcommunities.Buthealsorealisedthattocreateanatmosphereofpeaceandharmonyinamulticulturalsociety,itisvitaltounderstandeachother,toknoweachother’sculture,belief,traditionandvalues.

Pashachoseonceinayeartobringpeopleofdifferentreligions,cultures,traditionsandracesunderonerooftospeakaboutthereligioncultureandbeliefofMuslimsandtheirProphetMuhammad(peacebeuponhim)andthatisthebackgroundofholdingthisSeminarontheLifeoftheProphet(peacebeuponhim).

SincetheformationoftheUMO,Dr.SyedAzizPasha,itsformerGeneralSecretary,usedtoholdthisSeminarontheLifeoftheProphetMuhammad(peacebeuponhim)forthepastfortyyearswithoutfail.ThisisoneitemwhichDr.Pashanevermissed.Asearlyasin2009,Dr.Pashatoldmeinaninterview:“OnceIwasinhospitalandIaskedmyassistantsecretarytocarryonandheheldthefunction.”

TheUMO’slastSeminarontheLifeoftheProphet(peacebeuponhim)organisedbyDr.Pashawasin2010.Afterthat,hecouldnotorganisetheSeminarin2011.SinceNovember,2010,Dr.Pashahadbeenoffandonhospitalsandhome.HediedinthemorningofWednesday,the23^rdofNovember2011.

IntheSeminarontheLifeoftheProphet(peacebeuponhim)organisedbyDr.Pasha,amongthedistinguishedguests,therewere,besidesothers,Rt.Hon.Mr.JohnPatten,M.P.thethenMinisterofState,HomeOfficein1989,Rt.Hon.Mr.RobinCorbett,M.P.thethenShadowMinisteronHomeAffairsin1990;Rt.Hon.Mr.JackStraw,M.P.,thethenShadowEducationSecretaryin1991.In1996,nearlyfortynationswererepresentedatthiscelebration.

In 2012,theUMOorganisedagaintheSeminar,ontheLifeoftheProphet(peacebeuponhim)atthesameplace,ChurchillHotel,onWednesday,the29^thofFebruary,butthistimethepersonwhoneverfailedtoholdtheSeminartoconveytheMessageofIslamtotheMuslimcommunityaswellastothewidersocietywasnothere.BoththeMuslimandthewidersocietyfeltthephysicalabsenceofthisdedicatedpiousMuslim,Dr.Pasha,whostartedandfoundedthisorganisationUMOtobringunityamongtheBritishMuslimcommunityandalsotofosteranddevelopgoodcordialandharmoniousrelationshipwiththewidersocietythroughinterfaithdialogue.

ThepurposeofholdingthisSeminareveryyearwithoutfailwastwofold.Dr.Pashatoldmeinaninterview,“Weorganisedthisfunctioneveryyearwithoutfailfortworeasons,saidDrPasha,oneisspiritualandanotherismundane;spiritualreasonbecausetheProphet(peacebeuponhim)wasthefirstofCreation.AllahcreatedtheNuroftheProphetandthentheotherCreation.HegavethetitleRahmatullilAlamin;MercyofalltheCreatures.Hesaidthat.AllahisRabbulAlamin;ProphetisRahmatullilAlamin.ThenalltheProphetswhosubsequentlycametheyhadthesamefaithal-Islamwhichhebrought.ThelatestProphets-Musa(peacebeuponhim)andIssa(peacebeuponhim)-bothofthemhadforecastthecomingoftheProphetMuhammad(peacebeuponhim).Andtheysaidwhenhecomesfollowhim.”

Secondly,whilespeakingonthemundaneside,Dr.Pashamentioned,“ProphetMuhammad(peacebeuponhim)broughtasystemoflife;asystemofgovernmentandideologywhichguaranteeshappinessonthisearthandpermanentfelicityinthelifeHereafter.ProphetMuhammad(peacebeuponhim)wastheonlyProphetwhowasgiventhehonourofbeingtransportedbodilytowitnessallthesevenHeavensandwhathappenstopeopleaftertheydie.TheParadiseandtheHelltheyarerealities.”

Dr.Pashaalsomentioned,“TheUMO,forthepast40years,whatwehavetriedtodoistopromoteunitybetweentheMuslimsandtofacilitatetheupbringingofMuslimchildreninamoralandspiritualatmosphere.”

PurposeofHoldingSeminaron

TheLifeofProphet(PBUH)

AstheSeminarontheLifeoftheProphet(peacebeuponhim)wasthelastSeminarorganisedbytheUMOundertheleadershipofDr.Pashain2010,IamreproducingbelowinhisownwordsthepurposeofholdingaSeminarontheLifeoftheProphet(peacebeuponhim).

Dr.Pashasaid,“TheUMObeingtherepresentativebodyoftheBritishMuslimshas,sinceitsformationfortyyearsago,hasmaintaineditstraditiontocelebratethebirthdayoftheHolyProphet(peacebeuponhim)fortworeasons,namely,1.spiritualand2.mundane.AtaspirituallevelALLAHSubhanahuwaTa’alacreatedtheNoor(Light)oftheHolyProphetbeforeanyotherCreationanddesignatedhimastheSealoftheProphetsandMercyuntoallcreatures.ThisNoorwastransmittedthroughallProphetsfromAdamtoallsucceedingProphetsincludingProphetsAbraham,MosesandJesus,peacebeuponthemall.ALLAHorderedalltheseProphetsandtheirfollowerstoacceptIslamastheirreligionandwayoflife.AsourProphetisthelastinthelineofProphets,theresponsibilityofconveyingthisMessagetotheBritishpeopleliesontheMuslimsandtheUMOhasbeenperformingthisdutyonbehalfoftheMuslimUmmah.”

Atamundanelevel,saidDr.Pashainhispressreleaseof2010,“TheDivineMessagethattheProphetbroughtisfortheguidanceofthewholeofhumanityguaranteeingalifeofpeaceandtranquillityinthistransientworldandeternalfelicityintheLifeHereafter.Historians,bothMuslimsandnon-MuslimsandOrientalists,acclaimhimasthegreatestbenefactorofhumanity.Heisrenownedforhismercy,compassionandmagnanimity.HeevenforgavehisenemiesaftertheconquestofMakkahal-Mukarramah.AfterhisemigrationtoMadinahal-Munawwarah,hepromulgatedaCharterofMadinahguaranteeingfreedomofreligiontominorities.InthehistoricSermondeliveredattheFarewellPilgrimagehedeclaredaCharterofHumanRightsestablishingthebrotherhoodofallmankindregardlessofrace,colourorethnicity,raisingthestatusofwomentooneoflegalequalitywithmen,abolishingusurytopreventexploitationofthepoorbytherichandbanningtheconsumptionofintoxicants.”

Dr.PashasaidinhislastpressreleaseofthecelebrationoftheBirthdayoftheProphet(peacebeuponhim)in2010,“Ithastaken1400yearsofstrifeandsufferingbeforetheWesthasacceptedthegloriousMessageoftheProphetandhasadoptedtheUnitedNationsCharterandUniversalDeclarationofHumanRights.MankindowesadebtofgratitudetotheHolyProphetforhisenormouscontributionwhichhasbroughtenlightenmentandcivilisation.IslamismakingsteadyprogressinEuropeanddesperateattemptsarebeingmadeinthemediatodistorttheimageofIslamasareligionofpeace,justiceandbrotherhood.ThewholeworldiswatchingthatMuslimsarenotterroristsbuttheyarevictimsofterrorism.TheUMOforthepastfortyyearshasbeenencouragingMuslimstoplaytheirfullroleinthemainstreamwhileretainingtheirreligiousandculturalidentity.” (UMOPressReleaseon2March2010ontheBirthdayoftheProphet(peacebeuponhim).

Picture:FilePhoto(fromLefttoRight:Rt.Hon.CouncillorAlanBradley,LordMayorofWestminster(locamtenens),Dr.SyedAzizPasha,GeneralSecretaryofUMOandRt.Hon.LordSheikhofCornhillatthecelebrationoftheBirthoftheProphet(peacebeuponhim),functionatChurchillHotel,London,16March2009);

Empowerment of Women in Saudi Arabia:

Inclusion of 30 Women in Shoura Council

Dr. Mozammel Haque

Women not only constitute half of Saudi society but they are also the driving force behind the Kingdom’s future development as a 21st-century society. The royal decree issued by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah to appoint 30 highly educated Saudi women to the Shoura Council (consultative assembly) and to ensure women make up at least 20 percent of the Council in the future is a key turning point in the history of the Kingdom. The historic decision by King Abdullah to appoint women, for the first time, to the Shoura Council is a major initiative to reform the existing political system.

The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques on Friday, the 11th of January 2013, named 30 women members to the 150-member Shoura Council. According to a royal decree, women will form 20 percent of Shoura Council members. Seven of the 30 appointees have worked previously with the council as consultants. King Abdullah appoints a team of 150 members from various professions for a term of four years. Incumbent President Abdullah Al-Asheikh has been reappointed.

I am going to look into this subject from three angles: Islamic perspective, educational perspective and societal perspectives. After that, I am also going to look, briefly, into the background of the Shoura Council, its activities and profile of the newly appointed women members.

Islamic perspectives

From the Islamic perspective, the inclusion of women as Shoura Council members is in accordance with Shari’ah law, which is the foundation for Saudi Arabia laid down by the late King Abdulaziz. All the activities of the Shoura Council are always carried out within the framework of Islam. Even on the inclusion of women in the Consultative Body, King Abdullah took decisions after consultations with the religious leaders.

In Islam, there is no difference between man and woman in matters of lives. But, of course, women have their role to raise the family and to regenerate children for Islam. They have very noble cause to do that. Besides that when we talk about their role in the political arena, women can be as useful as men and the advice they had given at the time of Prophet (peace be upon him) is very well known. Women, in Islam, are entitled to the same freedom of expression as men. Women participated in serious discussions with the Prophet (peace be upon him) and other Muslim leaders. Islam also granted women the right to participate in political affairs and to hold government positions.

Muslim women have been giving their opinions on various issues from the time of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and the Ummah benefited from those opinions. Justice Muhammad Al-Eissa cited the consultation given to the Prophet by Um Salamah (may Allah be pleased with her) during the Hudaibiya peace treaty. Dr Naseef, the former Secretary General of the Muslim World League, told me, “It is very well known that in Hudaibiyya the Prophet (peace be upon him) asked the people to put on their Ihram and shave their heads. They refused and then his wife Um Salamah told him give them the example and they will immediately follow. So that was as had happened. There are lots of examples; there are thousands of examples. There was also an example of a woman who corrected the Umar ibn Khattab on the Mimber. So he said, yes, our woman is right and Umar is wrong. Similarly there are many many examples recorded in history. Even the wife of Harun ar-Rashid during the Abbasids period.”

Dr. Mona S. Al-Munajjed, a sociologist, author and adviser on social and gender issues, mentioned, "Aisha, the Prophet’s wife, participated in political events after the death of the Prophet and became a political leader. And there are several examples in Islamic history of prominent women who became political leaders such as Arwa bint Ahmad Al Sulaihiyyah, Queen of Yemen, Safwat Al-Mulk, Queen of Damascus, Safiya Khatoun, Queen of Aleppo, and Shajarat Al Durr, Queen of Egypt."

So Islamically speaking, there are lots of examples in the history when Muslim women gave their opinions and advice which were very useful to the community and the country. “The participation of women in the Shoura would give them an opportunity to present their opinions and make proposals and demands on various matters. This paves the way for their voices being heard,” the Justice Minister said, adding that society has the right to benefit from their knowledge and expertise.

Not only that, all along history, religion gives them, the women, the freedom and power to speak, take part and also to participate, but some societies neglected and thrown away the womanfolk from public arena; people have stopped the contributions of women. This is by tradition but not by religion. We have to bring them back. That is not the excuse. Islam is the reference and not tradition of the people, said Dr. Naseef.

King Abdullah took the decision after consultations with religious leaders in the Kingdom. It was stipulated that men and women will be segregated inside the council. A special area will be designated for the women, and they will enter through a separate door so that they do not to mix with their male colleagues. Sheikh Abdullah Muhammad Ibrahim Al-Asheikh, President of the Shoura Council, appointed a special committee to implement the directive of the king for the enrollment of women as members of the consultative body. Speaking about the new committee for women's affairs, Dr. Al-Asheikh said the body will make all the necessary arrangements for the women. "All arrangements to accommodate the women members will be made by the committee to receive women members at the sixth session of the council." Administrative staff to assist women members will be appointed before they arrive."The enrollment of women as members of the council will be a qualitative shift in the functioning of the council," Dr. Al-Asheikh said.

He pointed out that all the activities of the council are always carried out within the framework of Islam. "Saudi women have excelled in education, health, economic, administrative and social fields in society," Dr. Al-Asheikh said. He said the council would follow the guidelines laid down by the king to work for national unity, the nation's progress and regional security and peace. Justice Minister Muhammad Al-Eissa said the participation of women would enrich the discussions at the consultative council. “It is a supplementary addition to the Shoura with people having different experiences, expertise and backgrounds,” he said.

Educational Perspectives

From the educational perspective, it is noteworthy to mention that the woman members of the country have achieved tremendous progress in education. It is due to the policy and reform undertaken by King Abdullah. During the reign of King Abdullah, a number of important and noteworthy reform steps were taken in Saudi Arabia. In the era of King Abdullah, the largest reform of the judicial system has been carried out in terms of creating specialised courts in various fields. Also, during the reign of King Abdullah, "the Allegiance Council" has been set up. In the reign of King Abdullah, women entered in the Shoura Council for the first time in the history of the country with full membership rights.

King Abdullah started with the system of education, and soon we had universities, colleges of higher education and centers of excellence springing up across the Kingdom. He and his advisers and his government ministers invested heavily in creating and forming a consensus on key issues. Different points of view were taken into consideration, there was a healthy debate among all segments of society, and so we heard in the media the pros and cons of all that was taking place in the Kingdom.

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah launched eight new educational and welfare projects worth more than SR14 billion at King Saud University (KSU), including a 7.5-billion-riyal campus for women, a SR1.8-billion medical city and a SR1.2-billion housing project. The King Abdullah Project for the Development of Public Education has allocated SR4.2 billion to improve the educational environment and SR3.58 billion for extra-curricular activities. The training and development of teachers is another thrust of the project and for this purpose SR2.94 billion has been set aside. A curriculum development program will receive SR980 million.

Samar Fatany observed, “Investing in education for women has been a priority in educational reform. Women today represent almost 60 percent of university graduates. Vocational institutes for women have been established and private colleges and universities for women have been set up in major cities in the Kingdom facilitating the integration of more qualified women into the workforce. Princess Noura University, the first women’s university in Saudi Arabia, has been expanded and modernized to accommodate 40,000 students and 12,000 employees. It has 15 colleges and a large number of departments.

Over SR200 billion has been allocated for education in this year's budget. “At the moment nearly 90 percent of the students are receiving an education in Saudi Arabia’s 25,000 public schools.” Saudi Arabia has 14.2% of women in national workforce in the educational fields.

The Ministry of Education plans to provide women 7,200 administrative jobs in Girls’ Education at the ministry headquarters and 41 education departments across the country, a ministry source said. Nearly 70 percent of administrative jobs in Girls’ Education are already held by women. The Cabinet also approved measures to increase jobs for women. In the recent Cabinet reshuffle, Norah Al-Faiz was appointed as deputy minister for Girls’ Education. She is the first woman in Saudi Arabia to hold a ministerial post.

Societal perspectives

Female council members represent not only half of society but more than that, because as mothers they influence and nurture the future generation of our country.

King Abdullah’s decree on the participation of women in the council’s decision-making process was a huge step toward female empowerment. “Since women constitute half of the Saudi population, it is unreasonable for this vital organ of the population to be denied the opportunity to participate within the limits of the Islamic Shariah in building our nation,” he concluded. Another member of the Shoura council, Sadaqa Fadil, stressed

The remarkable progress has been achieved by Saudi women. Previously women had no say in this vital council that takes important decisions affecting society. Earlier, they had a very limited role as primary schoolteachers and nurses in hospitals. Now we find them everywhere taking up different positions. We have seen Saudi women in many fields, especially in education, medicine and economics.

King Abdullah first announced that he was planning to name women to the Shoura Council in 2011. That has been achieved. We have got a woman deputy education minister. Many women now work at chambers of commerce and industry in different parts of the country. The appointment of 30 women on the Shoura is another big leap. In the reign of King Abdullah, women entered in Shoura Council for the first time in the history of Saudi Arabia with full membership rights. In the near future, they may take 50 percent of Shoura seats and take up different ministerial positions. It is hoped all Shoura members would play an active role in boosting the Kingdom’s development by taking judicious decisions. Now women can say what they want and what they do not want.

History of Shoura Council

The King made two amendments to the royal decree governing the Shoura Council. It works as the formal advisory body of Saudi Arabia. This is the august body which provides advice to the King, drafts laws and debates major issues. Reviewing the four-year period, Al-Mohanna, who has written a 2,119-page book entitled, “The Saudi Majlis Ash-Shoura: Its National and International Roles,” said the council has taken up several regional and global social, economic and political matters relevant to the Kingdom. The body acts as a consultative council and has debated several important laws and regulations and annual reports of government and nongovernmental bodies.

The following functions performed by the members of the Shoura Council. “They will work in tandem to interpret laws, as well as to examine annual reports referred to the Council by state ministries and agencies. The Shoura advises the King on policies the King submits to it, along with international treaties and economic plans. The Council is authorized to review the country’s annual budget and call in ministers for questioning and it plays an important role as a policy debate forum. It can request that government officials participate in key meetings and it can ask for access to government documents,” mentioned in Saudi Gazette."

History of women in Shoura

Women are in the Council not as a cosmetic change but to strengthen this consultative body. They will do so using their experience and the foundations of their education," commented Saudi Gazette editorially. The inclusion of highly qualified Saudi female members in the Shoura Council would enable the council to achieve greater progress. The council now comprised highly educated and specialized male and female counterparts, representing a wide spectrum of fields.

Dr. Mona S. AlMunajjed wrote in Arab News, "More than eight years ago, while he was still crown prince, King Abdullah asserted that the status of women would not be undermined or marginalized vis-à-vis their vital role in national development. He declared: “When we talk about the comprehensive development that our country is witnessing, we cannot ignore the role of Saudi women and their participation in this development. The productive role of women has been a definite result of the great investment that the country has dedicated to the field of education for all of its citizens, men and women. As a result, Saudi women have been able to earn the highest educational credentials, which have enabled them to work diligently in different fields. Saudi women have proven their ability to handle responsibilities with great success, whether through their principal duty as mothers, or as professionals. We look forward to women acquiring a major role in a way that will promote the interests of the nation on the basis of the Shariah.”

The Shoura Council has had female advisors before. Since 2006, the Council has had 12 women advisers. In 2011, the King said that women would join the Council, which comprises mostly academics, clerics, businessmen and former civil servants. But this is the first time that women have been appointed as members of the Shoura Council. The 30 women appointed are highly qualified and experienced in various fields and definitely a valuable addition to the Shoura, Maha Akeel said. “I’m confident they will contribute greatly to the discourse and issues,” she said, adding that she was looking forward to more changes in the Shoura bylaws to give it more power.

Female lawmakers in the Arab world

After the inclusion of 30 women members in the Shoura Council, Saudi Arabia has one of the highest percentage of female involvement of all Arab parliaments. Saudi Arabia takes fourth place in the Arab region in terms of women's political participation in Parliament.

Dr. Naseef said, “I was seeing the Arabic newspapers called the Sharq which comes from Dammam. According to this paper, among the membership of women of all the parliaments of the world, Saudis are much more progressive. But in the Gulf countries, of course, it is number one; because there are some countries in the Gulf which don’t have women member in the parliament or have very negligible. This is not for comparison but it is very encouraging for people.”

The figures below are taken from the UN Development Programme:

Country Total Numbers Women Percentage

Jordan: 120 13 0.83%

United Arab Emirates: 60 7 17.50%

Bahrain: 60 11 27.50%

Tunisia: 112 17 13.49%

Algeria: 136 7 4.86%

Comoros: 33 8 3.03%

Lebanon: 128 4 3.13%

Djibouti: 65 9 13.85%

Sudan: 554 87 4.58%

Saudi Arabia: 150 30 20%

Syria: 250 38 2.40

Somalia: 546 37 6.73%

Iraq: 325 82 25.23%

Egypt: 568 30 1.97%

Oman: 84 1 1.19%

State of Palestine: 132 17 12.88%

Qatar: 35 0 0.00% and

Kuwait: 65 0 0.00%)

Profile of Saudi women lawgivers

All the new members of the Shoura Council, men and women, hold high professional postgraduate degrees and have a great deal of experience. The 30 chosen women are university graduates, human rights activists with advanced degrees and two princesses. 27 of the appointed women have a Ph.D. degree.

One of the women members of the Shoura Council is Dr. Khawla Al-Kuraya who is the first Saudi woman to receive the King Abdulaziz Award for Excellence, which was awarded for her contributions in the field of cancer research. She is the first person to identify a gee, FOSMI that prompts the formation of cancer cells in the human body. She is currently director of the Research Centre at King Fahd National Centre for Children's Cancer. King Faisal Specialist Hospital in Riyadh, Al-Kuraya has just been named to the Shoura Council.

Another newly appointed woman member of the Shoura Council is Thuraya Obeid, a veteran UN administrator who served notably as executive director of the UN Development Program and undersecretary general of the world body.35-years of long experience in the UN has prepared her to support communities and to work with people, especially women and youth.

Nora bint Abdullah Al-Adwan, another newly appointed Shoura member, has been a consultant to the council for the last six years and has participated in several Shoura programs both within the Kingdom and internationally. Her impressive resume also includes chairing two international symposia on women affairs in Amman and in Abu Dhabi recently. Al-Adwan is currently affiliated to the research chair, specializing on women issues at King Saud University (KSU).

Another prominent member is Dr. Hayat Sindi, the first Saudi and Muslim woman in the Middle East Gulf to obtain a PhD in biotechnology. In 2012, she was named one of Newsweek’s “150 Women Who Shake the World.”

Haya bint Abdulaziz Al-Manea is the first Saudi woman doctor in biotechnology, and one of the new members. She said all her colleagues are committed to working hard to help develop the country. Al-Manea is currently at Harvard University in the US to complete a program that she developed to sponsor innovators.

Salwa Al-Hazza is chief scientist at the research center at King Faisal Hospital, and ophthalmology consultant professor at the Faculty of Medicine at the University of King Faisal.

Issues might be raised by

Womem members of the Shoura Council

Recently, a survey was conducted which highlighted the expectation of the public from the women members of the Shoura Council and their role. They think women members will address the following issues: issue of providing housing for people of low income; social security, medical insurance, right of children to retirement pensions of their mothers, housing allowance for women, the right of women to drive, setting up hospitals in villages, establishing a family code, limiting the guardianship rule, granting citizenship to children of mothers married to non-Saudis, upgrading the school curriculum and discussing the right to membership in the Supreme Judicial Council.

The survey was conducted by Sayidaty.net in which 71 percent of respondents were women and 20 percent of men.

King Abdullah’s Reforms

King Abdullah lives up to his reputation as a bold leader. He made decisions that hold a lot of promise for generations to come: his interfaith initiative, his decision to allow women to participate in the upcoming municipal elections, his decision to focus on young Saudis, his decision to spend heavily on the education sector, his decision to institute hundreds and thousands of scholarships in some of the best institutions in the world all these decisions indicated his love for his country and his religion.

Rise of Islamophobia and the Role of OIC

Dr. Mozammel Haque

Islamophobia is a problem that manifests itself at different levels in society and to different degrees. The phrase Islamophobia was used first in the UK in 1997. In 1997, the British Runnymede Trust defined Islamophobia as the "dread or hatred of Islam and therefore, [the] fear and dislike of all Muslims," stating that it also refers to the practice of discriminating against Muslims by excluding them from the economic, social, and public life of the nation. The concept also encompasses the opinions that Islam has no values in common with other cultures, is inferior to the West and is a violent political ideology rather than a religion. (Islamophobia: A Challenge for Us All, Runnymede Trust, 1997, p. 1, cited in Quraishi, Muzammil (2005). Muslims and crime: a comparative study. Aldershot, Hants, England: Ashgate. p. 60.)

Thus the phrase Islamophobia was used first in the UK in 1997; but Islamophobia was first major used in media until 2001 when Time Magazine asked whether America was Islamophobic. One can read that article. The study shows very very clearly that one can no longer deny actually the existence of the problem, which Professor John Esposito, Professor of Religion and International affairs and Islamic Studies at the Georgetown University and the founding Director of the Muslim-Christian understanding of the Georgetown University and the Director of the Muslim-Christian Relations Centre, called the social cancer in Europe, the Americans call Islamophobia.

Muslims in Europe face discrimination in several areas of life because of their religion, their ethnic origin or their gender or a combination of these grounds. Europe has an ugly history of taking out of manifesting its socio-economic problems by attack on minorities and it does seem to have no question of minorities being chosen. “Minorities choice on Continental Europe is now Islam and Muslims,” said Peter Oborne, Daily Telegraph’s chief political commentator and author of the Triumph of Political Class (2007) at a conference.

The evidence of this Muslim-bashing is threat to mosques, attacks on mosques and Muslims/Islamic institutions, petro-bombing and pig-head was stuck on the railing etc.

The Amnesty International

The Amnesty International UK in their report on “Choice and Prejudice – discrimination against Muslims in Europe” (April 2012) exposes the discrimination faced by European Muslims in several countries. The Report focuses on Belgium, France, Spain, The Netherlands and Switzerland and highlights that women and girls are denied jobs and access to regular classes in schools just for wearing traditional forms of dress. Additionally, the right to establish places of worship – a key component of the right to freedom of religion - is being curtailed in countries such as Switzerland and Spain.

The Amnesty International wrote: “European countries appear to face another crisis beyond budget deficits – the disintegration of human values. One symptom is the increasing expression of intolerance towards Muslims. [O]pinion polls in several European countries reflect fear, suspicion and negative opinions of Muslims and Islamic culture. These Islamophobic prejudices are combined with racist attitudes – directed not least against people originating from Turkey, Arab countries and South Asia. Muslims with this background are discriminated [against] in the labour market and the education system in a number of European countries.”

[Thomas Hammarberg, Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights.]

Amnesty International calls on European governments to do more to combat negative stereotypes and prejudices.

Lord Ahmed of Rotherham, while praising the work of the Amnesty International, said, “Islamophobia in Europe has become almost synonymous with racism” and went on to add that Muslims are facing similar prejudices as the Jewish communities did hundred years ago. The report is very clear on the rise of Anti-Muslim feelings in France, in relation to the Head Scarf's as well as the campaign against Halal meat, Minarets and places of Worship in Europe.

Launch a Book on Islamophobia

Cordova Foundation, UK, launched the second research of the European Muslim Research Centre entitled Islamophobia and Anti-Muslim Hate Crime: UK Case Studies, authored by Dr. Robert Lambert and Dr. Jonathan Githens published in 2010. They have done a great job in the right time mainly in the context of Islamophobia, the rise of discrimination, the rise of Islamophobia, the rise of hate. The co-author of the Book on Islamophobia and Anti-Muslim Hate Crime: UK Case Studies is Dr Robert Lambert, the co-Director of the European Muslim Research Centre at the University of Exeter and a part-time Lecturer at the Centre for Studies on Terrorism and Political Violence at the University of St. Andrews. Dr. Lombard’s twin interest on Islamophobia and community-based approach to counter-terrorism, both topics are reflected in his coming book Countering Al-Qaida in Britain: Police and Muslim Community in partnership. He said, “In many cases they (Muslim leaders) have big attacks; petro-bombing; mosque have been damaged and in other cases they had on-going vandalism.”

The month of November 2012 was declared Islamophoba Awareness Month in the UK. This Islamophobia Awareness Month was spearheaded by the Enough Coalition Against Islamophobia, The Muslim Council of Britain and ENGAGE and other partners. On this occasion, there was meetings and Exhibitions held in London.

Islamophobia Awareness Month Launched

The Islamophobia Awareness Month was launched on 2nd November 2012 at the London Muslim Centre by prominent British organisations and campaigners to deconstruct and challenge some of the stereotypes about Islam and Muslims. Leading commentators and politicians, including human rights lawyer, Imran Khan, Labour MP Jeremy Corbyn, academic and Journalist Myriam-Francois-Cerrah as well as UNITE the Union's Steve Hart addressed the theme around Islamophobia.

Human Rights lawyer, Imran Khan said at the conference, “Anti-Muslim attitudes are directed against people believed to be of Muslim faith or generally against Islam as a religion, regardless of whether those affected are actually religious and which branch of Islam they belong to. In more recent years and, particularly since the events of 9/11 and 7/7, attention has very much focused on Muslims. The agenda set has been one that is distinctly anti-Muslim,” said Khan.

While quoting Anas Altikri, Chief Executive of the Cordoba Foundation, Imran Khan mentioned: “Islamophobia is a tragic reality and a test to the West’s claim to upholding the most noble of human values. Already, we have failed when allowing laws to pass prohibiting Muslim women from dressing as they wish in France and building their mosques in a particular aesthetic form similarly to other places of worship in Switzerland. It is a phenomenon that will, if allowed to spread unabated, leave none unaffected. It was true in the case of anti-Jewish and anti-Black attacks in the last century, and it will prove true if anti-Muslim sentiments are given free reign to expand today.”

“What I have noticed over the past eleven years ever since the problem of 9/11 and the war on Afghanistan has been a gross Islamophobia in the popular press,” Labour MP for Islington North, Jeremy Corbyn, told me in an interview before his speech. Similarly, another speaker, Lindsey German, Stop the War Coalition, also told me, “The war on terror which begun in 2001 really created the present mood of Islamophobia; when you bombed on a countries which are largely Muslim countries then you have to demonise the people where you are bombing and at the same time as we talk about terrorism among Muslims, we are conducting terror attacks with drone in Pakistan and Afghanistan and we are creating a situation where more and more people around the world have grievances against, grievance against the United States and other countries in the world.”

Launch of Exhibition on Islamophobia

at the British Parliament

ENGAGE launched its Exhibition on Islamophobia in the British Parliament on Monday, 12th of November, 2012. MPs and Peers from all the main political parties attended the launch event which was hosted by MPs Sir Peter Bottomley, Jack Straw and Simon Hughes.

Keynote addresses were presented by the Shadow Justice Secretary Sadiq Khan, MP, and academics from Lancaster University, Professors Tony McEnery and Paul Baker. Around 20 representatives from both Houses of Parliament attended the event representing all the main political parties, alongside representatives from the faith and voluntary sectors, charitable organisations, academia and professional associations.

Sir Iqbal Sacranie, Trustee of ENGAGE, welcoming the guests to the event, said in his introductory remarks: “Islamophobia is a problem that manifests itself at different levels in society and to different degrees but it is, in essence and experience, a malicious prejudice against the UK’s largest religious minority group. It is a prejudice which feeds on ignorance and fear to promote hatred and social divisions.”

“Islamophobia has passed a new threshold – one that brings with it new challenges – it is increasingly becoming accepted as an expression of ‘legitimate’ opinion. It is with the purpose of generating awareness about Islamophobia, and its devastating impact on the lives and security of British Muslims, that ENGAGE developed this unique exhibition. It is our hope that it will provoke discussion on the often negative portrayal of Islam and Muslims in the British media, the consequences of these negative representations and the reality of British Muslim life and achievements,” said Sir Iqbal.

The meeting was addressed by MPs Sir Peter Bottomley, Jack Straw, Simon Hughes and Sadiq Khan, all of whom praised the crucial work of ENGAGE and welcomed the exhibition and initiative on tackling Islamophobia. The Rt. Hon. Sadiq Khan, summarising the view expressed by all parliamentarians, spoke of the necessity of tackling Islamophobia in the UK.

Professors Tony McEnery and Paul Baker presented the findings of their research project on which is due to be published this year, i.e. 2013 by Cambridge University Press, 'Discourse Analysis and Media Bias: The representation of Islam in the British Press, 1998 – 2009'. The research project, which studies 200,037 newspaper articles about Muslims and Islam in all the major papers (Guardian/Observer, Independent, Times, Telegraph, Business, Star, Sun/NOTW, Mirror, Express, Mail, People), analysed 143 million words in total.

Summarising the main findings, Professor McEnery said:“The word terrorism (and related forms) is more frequent than the word Islam (and related forms). References to extreme forms of Islam or Muslims are 21 times more common than references to moderate Islam or Muslims.” Of the newspapers most likely to display this bias, McEnery said “The tabloids do this most, The Guardian does it the least.”

McEnery concluded saying, “The overall picture is that Muslims and Islam are connected to conflict, terror, extremism and even horror.“The tabloids newspapers are the most negative – focussing on Muslims like Abu Hamza.”

The Role of Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC)

The 57-member Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), the largest Muslim organization in the world, recently held the 12th Islamic Summit of the OIC in Cairo on Wednesday, 6th of February, 2013. The question of Islamophobia was one of the items on the agenda. The Islamic leaders discussed this issue.

But before the meeting of the Islamic Summit in Cairo, the Secretary General of the OIC, Professor Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu gave an interview with Jeddah-based English Daily, Arab News, and replying to a question on Islamophobia, he said: “The historic consensual adoption of the OIC sponsored Resolution 16/18 by the 16th Session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva was a milestone in bringing the international community together in combating intolerance on the basis of religion and belief. The OIC efforts with the international community in combating religious intolerance were further vindicated when Resolution 16/18 was passed by the UN General Assembly Sessions in 2011 and 2012. The OIC’s determination to build upon the consensus of the provisions of 16/18 is manifest when we took the initiative to launch the Istanbul Process in 2011. Two sessions on the implementation of the Istanbul Process have been held in Washington DC and London respectively, and we expect to hold the third session very soon. The OIC is also actively involved on working on a unified position of member states toward an effective strategy in cooperation with our partners in the international community. I also believe that bringing the issue of Islamophobia in bilateral meetings of the member states with their Western counterparts would contribute substantially to our efforts in combating Islamophobia. Let me also emphasize on the crucial and important role of the media and civil society to complement the OIC’s efforts in sensitizing the global community of Islamophobia’s serious and dangerous implications.”

King Abdullah's speech at the Islamic Summit

At the opening session of the 12th Islamic Summit in Cairo on Wednesday, the keynote speech made by King Abdullah, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, which was read out by the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, Prince Salman bin Abdulaziz, at the Summit, was strong in its content. The King referred to the issue of Islamophobia and said, “The most major challenge facing our Islamic nation today is hatred of religions or religious leaders by those who have suspicious and ill goals, persons who use the freedom of expression and opinion to attack Muslims and their sanctuaries without any ethical or legal deterrent that incriminate them,” the king said.

He urged the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) member-states to support the Kingdom’s proposal at the UN to make slandering Divine religions and their prophets a criminal offence. “So, we demand all member states of the OIC to support the proposal submitted by Saudi Arabia at the United Nations to issue a resolution condemning any state, group or individual who defame the divine religions or prophets and messengers including the most toughest deterrent punishments of such acts,” the King said.

Cairo Declaration

A Communique issued at the end of the two-day Summit of the 57-member Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC) said, the leaders called for a strategy to combat Islamophobia, expressed deep concern over the growing attacks against Islam, Muslims and the Prophet (peace be upon him). They stressed that Islam is the religion of moderation, openness and rejects all forms of extremism. They stressed the necessity to draw up education curricula that gives the real picture of Islam.

Islamic Satellite Television channel

to confront Islamophobia

Recently, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation emphasized on 19th February 2013 its plan to establish an effective satellite television channel to confront Islamophobia.“We’ll hold a four-day meeting of experts at OIC headquarters here from Saturday to discuss various aspects of the project in order to present it at the next meeting of OIC information ministers,” said Essam Salim Al-Shanti, director of the media department to Arab News.

"Our objective is to have a strong and effective media that can address the needs of the Muslim world having different languages with various cultural backgrounds,” he said. The new channel will present its programs in English, Arabic French. “Its main objective is to project the true picture of Islam and confront the challenge posed by Islamophobia, especially in the West,” Al-Shanti said.

He said the channel would also work for promoting intercultural dialogue in order to bring the Eastern and Western cultures and the North and South closer. “It will help exchange of knowledge between OIC countries, highlight the issues of Muslim minorities and promote joint Islamic action,” the OIC official said.

The channel project was first proposed by a meeting of OIC information ministers in Gabon last year.

Later, a foreign ministers’ meeting in Djibouti endorsed the project. The fourth emergency Islamic summit in Makkah and the recent OIC summit in Cairo.

Interview with Dr. Abdullah Omar Naseef:

Women in Shoura Council of Saudi Arabia

Dr. Mozammel Haque

Women are half of the population of Saudi Arabia. Women sometimes gave advice for the country. In Islam, which is a way of life, must have some provision for seeking advice or opinion from women. I think the Prophet (peace be upon him) used to have opinions on some important matters with his wives. I had the opportunity to interview Dr. Abdullah Omar Naseef, the former Vice Chairman of the Shoura Council of Saudi Arabia.

Dr Naseef, said, “In Islam there is no difference between man and woman in matters of life. Of course women have their role to raise the family and to regenerate children for Islam; so they have very noble cause to do that. When we talked about the role of women in the political area; they can be as useful as men and the advice they had given at the time of Prophet (peace be upon him) is very well known. We have to respect their opinion. They can produce more wisdom because they have the time to think and to do it. That’s why, I think, it is very important for every country to take care of women and let them participate in the affairs of the country.”

Speaking about the women as advisers during the early period of Islam, even during the lifetime of the Prophet (peace be upon him), Dr. Naseef, former Secretary General of the Makkah-based Muslim World League, said, “It is very well known that in Hudaibiyya the Prophet (peace be upon him) asked the people to slaughter their sacrificial animals and shave off their heads. They refused and then his wife Um Salamah told him give them the example and they will immediately follow. So that was as had happened.”

“There are lots of examples; there are thousands of examples. The woman who corrected the Umar ibn Khattab on the Mimber. So he said, yes, our woman is right and Umar is wrong. Similarly there are many many examples recorded in history. Even the wife of Harun ar-Rashid during the Abbasids period,” said Dr. Naseef.

Dr. Naseef mentioned, “This situation has changed when people have stopped the contribution of women. This is by tradition but not by religion. Religion gives them, the woman, the freedom and power to speak, to take part and also to participate; but yes, some societies neglected and thrown the womanfolk away from the public arena. We have to bring them back. Islam is the reference and not tradition of the people.”

Then I mentioned about Saudi Arabia where women are not only progressing in education, achieving good grades and contributing to every field, specially in economy, business, medicine and education and the number of woman graduates are more than that of man. Appreciating their contributions to the society and the country, King Abdullah has taken the decision of inclusion of women in the Shoura Council. Dr. Abdullah Omar Naseef was the former Vice Chairman of the Shoura Council of Saudi Arabia.

I requested Dr. Naseef as a former Vice-Chairman of the Council to shed lights on this new development. .Replying to my query, Dr. Naseef said, “First of all, I want to say that the contribution of women in the field of national dialogue is very very important. During the last ten years, at the conferences and seminars, 50 per cent of the participants were women, University students, teachers and professors. It was especially very important. Their contribution was much more valuable than man’s contribution in the dialogue session. They bring new ideas and they are very much educated and they are also very much thoughtful of what is happening.”

“Since the new establishment of the Shoura Council, it was promoted that women should participate as soon as possible. When I was Vice Chairman of the Shoura Council, I said it was a matter of time when women will participate and take part in the discussions and debates of the Shoura Council. 50% of the members of the Council should be from the women. It would be very useful and it is happening now after ten years. Alhamdo lillah, thanks to Allah the Almighty, who makes this possible,” commented Dr. Naseef.

Speaking about the position of women membership of the Arab parliaments vis-a-vis that of the Saudi Shoura Council, Dr. Naseef observed, “I was seeing the Arabic newspapers called the Sharq which comes from Dammam. According to this paper, among the membership of women of all the parliaments of the world, Saudis are much more progressive. But in the Gulf countries, of course, it is number one; because there are some countries in the Gulf which don’t have member of women in the parliament or have a very negligible number. This is not for comparison but it is very encouraging for people.”

IslamandMuslimsinRussia

(Basedoninterview)

Dr.MozammelHaque

This write-up on Islam and Muslims in Russia is based on an interview with Dr. Madina Kalimullah, head of Economic section of the Council of Muftis of Russia who came to London, United Kingdom in 2011 to attend an Islamic Finance Conference and also visited the office of the Muslim Council of Britain (MCB). I had the opportunity to meet her and interview her. This write-up is based on that interview and my research on the Muslims of Russia.

Islam is the second most widely professed religion in the Russian Federation. Russia has now 23 million indigenous Muslims. Unlike other Muslim minorities in Europe, Russian Muslims are not foreign immigrants. They are the native indigenous citizens of the country in which they live. Muslims form an integral part of the Russian community. For instance, during the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Russian athletes won 23 gold medals, 10 of which were obtained by indigenous Muslim athletes. The majority of Russian Muslims live in the Volga-Ural region and the Northern Caucasus. Other parts of Russia including megacities, such as Moscow or Saint Petersburg, also have significant Muslim population.

“Officially there is about 20-25 million Muslims in Russia, but if we take in huge number of immigrants in whole land officially unedited statistics, may be 10 millions more,” Dr. Madina from the office of the Russian Mufti Council told me in an interview with me in July 2011. “We should also take into account this is official statistics, but there is no poll that includes the question of religion but even the last poll we had last year did not include the question of religion. Only they question the nationality but you cannot tellby nationality of what religion you are,” she said.

“Officially 15% of the population of Russia is Muslim. But unofficially may be 20% and above,” Dr. Madina told me. This includes an estimated 3 million to 4 million Muslim migrants from former Soviet states — roughly 2 million Azeris, a million Kazakhs and several hundred thousands Uzbeks, Tajiks and Kyrgyz.

AdventofIslaminRussia

Islam in Russia has had a long presence, extending at least as far back as 7^th century. Islam came to Russia back to seventh century, first of all, came to Dagestan. Islam first entered Russia through Dagestan from the mid-7^thcentury and started to spread to the Northern Caucasus. By the year 21 AH (Islamic Calendar) (641 CE), the Muslim army under the leadership of Abd Rahman ibn Rabiah reached the Southern Caucasus northward after taking control of Persia and Al-Quds (Jerusalem). Dr. Madina told me, “Islam came to Russia back to seventh century, first of all, came to the Durban city, Dagestan; it is the city where the tombs of the As Sahabe Nabican be found as well. So this is more about Dagestan.”

Subsequently, the Northern Caucasus which was previously a vassal of the Khazar Kingdom, became a part of the Umayyad Empire, and Muslims then transformed the region into an important administrative empire and introduced Islam to the tribes of the Caucasus. Islam gradually established itself in the Volga basin through trade and other economic relations with the Muslim world.

The Bulgar Kingdom, which existed in the Middle Volga region from the 8^thcentury until its invasion by the Mongols in 1236 CE, recognised Islam as an official religion of the state in 922 CE (304 AH). Secondly “Islam came at the 8^th century, 922 CE, more than 1000 years ago to the territory after 66 years Vladimir chose orthodox religion from the tier of Byzantine. When Islam came to the territory of modern Tatarstan, it was called Volga Bulgaria at that time; and the people were called as Bulgars,” said Dr. Madina. Probably they have something familiar with modern Bulgaria. Still some Tatars called themselves Bulgars, as they considered their name came from later on.

The first Muslims within current Russian territory were the Dagestani people after the Arab conquests in the 8^th century. The first Muslim state in Russia was Volga Bulgaria in 922. The Tatars inherited the religion from that state. Later most of the European and Caucasian Turkic peoples also became followers of Islam.

Starting from the central region, Islam spread to the northern and eastern parts of Russia, particularly to Siberia.

Second wave of introducing Islam

The second wave of introducing Islam to Russia took place during the period of the Golden Horde which was established as a north Kingdom of the Mongols in 1242 CE. In fact, the small numbers of Mongols who stayed in the area did not have any significant impact on the fabric of the local society. So, culture, language, religion and social life remained the same.

At the beginning of the 15^th century, a number of independent Islamic Khanates emerged from the gigantic Golden Horde. These khanates covered almost all of the modern Russian territory, except the region between the cities of Moscow and Kiev where the majority of Russians used to live in a number of principalities. Until these Islamic khanates were defeated by the Russian empire in the 16^th century, Islam dominated most parts of modern Russia.

Islam in Russia has had a long presence, extending at least as far back as the conquest of the Khanate of Kazan in 1552, which brought the Tatars and Bashkirs on the Middle Volga into Russia.

Concentration of Muslims

Speaking about the concentration of Muslims, Dr. Madina said, “They are all around the country. I cannot found any town or city where no Muslim could be found, of course except in some Far eastern or Far north Arctic north regions. Majority of Muslim are in three regions; the biggest region is the Volga region. Then there is the region of Tatarstan, Bashkortostan, Mordovia, and some regions nearby. The second largest region is the Caucasus which has Muslim Republic of Chechnya, Ingushetia, Dagestan; the biggest region is the Dagestan in the Caucasus. These are the Muslim Republics in the Caucasus. The third largest region is the Central region which is Moscow which is the biggest city of about 2 million Muslims and apart from that you can find from the north, north west St Petersbourg and in Siberia quite Tatarstan living and all the other regions.”

Mosques

As regards Mosques in Russia, there is a big revival in Russia and consequently, the number of Mosques gone up. Dr. Madina said, “I do not remember the exact number of Mosques in Russia at the moment; but I can check figure later on. But I think about 10,000. Before the Soviet coalition, there was 20,000 more; they were almost all were destroyed and only 70 Mosques were left in the whole territory of Russia. Now of course, there has been big revival, thousands of mosques have been built during 20 years. There are now 10,000 mosques in Russia or may be less.”

Madrasah

Speaking about Maktabs and Madrasahs, Dr. Madina said, “Each mosque has its own Maktab, which operates mainly on weekends. Some of the Central Mosques have Madrasah as well which operates every day of the week. According to the law, since last year, 2010, the Islamic schools of higher educational enterprises received the right to give the state diplomas; they have to upgrade the schedule and they have to include some secular subjects in order to fulfil the requirements of the Ministry of Education.”

Muslim Organisation

There are local Muslim organisations around every Mosque. “These local Muslim organisations – Tasibat – are united into Kasibat – religious boards. They are religious boards of Muslims. They are the umbrella organisations of the Republic, as for example, the religious board of Muslims of the Republic of Tatarstan. There are, in total, 18 religious boards of Muslims. They are united into the Russian Muslim Council. Russian Muslim Council is the highest level of Muslim organisations. Each province has its own Mufti and therefore there are 18 Muftis in total under the Grand Mufti of Russia. They are under the chairmanship of the Russian Mufti Council,” said Dr. Madina.

Russiaisasecularstate.Thereisnointeractionbetweenthegovernmentandthereligiousbodies.TheyarepartnersandsothisistherepresentationofMuslimrightstothegovernment.Mufticouncilrepresentswithinthegovernment.Dr.Madinasaid,“Weareinvitedtoameetingofreligioussometimes tosayouropinionsonthisorthat.ThechairmanoftheRussianMuftiCouncilasamemberofthepublicchamberoftheRussianFederationandwealsocooperateondifferentlevels,ontheministeriallevel,onthestatehumanlevel,ontheparliamentlevel.”

RussianMuftiCouncil

SpeakingabouttheorganisationoftheRussianMuftiCouncil,Dr.Madinasaid,“TheMuftisofalltheregionsjoinedtogetherandunitedandcreatedtheRussianMuftiCouncil.ThechairmanoftheRussianMuftiCounciliselectedeveryfiveyear.Heisassistedbyco-chairmenwhoarealsoelectedforfiveyears.Thereisabout20to25staffintheRussianMuftiCouncil.”

Thisstructureisquitenew,quiteyoung;becausethenewadministrationwasformedattheendof2010.“Youwillfindthatallthestaffareyoungpeople;youngmanagersofcoursewithreligiousandseculareducationintheirfields,” saidDr.Madina.

HowMuftiCouncilrepresentsMuslims

withtheGovernment

InreplytomyqueriesabouthowdoestheRussianMuftiCouncilmaketheirrepresentationtothegovernment,Dr.Madinasaid,“Firstofall,IhavetodifferentiatebetweenPresidentandtheGovernment.President’sOfficehasaspecialtaskmissionwhoisresponsibleforandinconnectionwiththereligiouscommunities.HeisconstantlycooperatingwithMuslimsaswellasotherreligiouscommunities.HemetwiththeMuftisandotherofficialsatalleventsanddiscussedsomeissuesandsuggestedsomeissuesandsoughtsuggestionsfromourpart.Thisiscounselontheday-to-daybasis.”

“But the President himself holds things at least four times a year with all the religions - all the heads of religions, the Orthodox religion the largest one; then comes Islam the second largest religion, then comes the Jewish, the Judaism and Buddhism; but they are less than Muslims. So meetings are held on a quarterly basis within the council of the President, where sometimes very important issues were raised. Sometimes separate meetings were held only to discuss Muslim affairs; for example, recently there was a meeting the President of the main Muslim figures, not the chairman of the Russian Mufti Council, but some other Muftis on the social exhibits from the Muslim origin to discuss the main problem within the society, such as extremism; disturbances in the Caucasus, prohibition of religious literature etc. Hijab was not a problem,” she said.

RelationbetweentheMuftiCouncilandtheGovernment

Speakingabouttherepresentationwiththegovernment,Dr.Madinasaid,“Therearenowregularmeetingswiththeadministration.TherearenowcoordinationbetweenthePresidentandtheadministration.Wedon’thaveanyMinistryforreligiousaffairs.Butinmanyministries,thereisseparateofficeforreligiousaffairs,forexample,intheMinistryofForeignAffairsthereisadepartmentforcooperationwiththepublicorganisations.Besidesthat,thereisofficeofcooperationwiththereligiousorganisations.SoagainthedepartmentofRussianMuftiCouncilisonconstantcoordinationwiththatofficeintheMinistryofForeignAffairs.”

Politicalrepresentationandparticipation

SpeakingaboutthepoliticalparticipationandrepresentationintheParliament,Dr.Madinasaid,“TherearemanyMuslimsintheCouncil,intheParliamentandalsointheMinistry.Theyhavetheirownvoice,theirownopinions;buttheyarenotrepresentingMuslims.TheyareMuslimsthemselvesbuttheyarespecialistsintheirfields.Sotheyaredoingtheirworkaccordingtotheirfieldsandspecialisation,becausetheyarespecialists.LotofMuslimsinRussiaisstillthinkingontheatheisticway.ThoughtheyhavecomeoutfromtheSovietUnionbuttheystilldon’tspeakaboutreligion,aboutIslamandnotcomingfromreligiousbackgroundsalso.”

MuftiCouncilisthevoiceoftheMuslimreligiouscommunity.

ThethreemostimportantactivitiesoftheRussianMuftiCouncilare,besidesothersholdingHalalFoodExhibition,Qur'anCompetitionandIslamicBanking.

HalalFoodExhibition

Tenyearsago,RussiahadaninterfaithexhibitionintheAll-RussianExhibition.ItwasCentralnationalexhibition.Manyreligionswererepresentedthere.“SowethoughtwhynotinviteHalalproducers.Thushowitstarted,threeorfourtimes.From2007,westartedthisHalalIslamicsectorwithintheinterfaithexhibition,” saidDr.Madina.

“In2009,wewerethinkingoflaunchingHalalExhibitionbecausewealreadyhaveacertificationcentre;hadaHalalproducercertifiedandwehadtheexperienceofothercountries,especiallyMalaysia.Thoughwethoughtofthisideain2009wehavetopostponeitforoneyearduetocrisis.Sowelauncheditin2010,” saidDr.MadinawhowasthechairpersonofTheExpertiseHalalStandard.

ThirdMoscowInternationalHalalExhibition– MoscowHalalExpo2012washeldinAll-RussianExhibitionCentre,onJune7-10,2012.Forthefirsttime,theExhibitionlastedfor4fulldays.Morethan150companiesrepresentingHalalindustryfromdifferentRussianregions(Moscow,Tatarstan,Bashkortostan,Siberia,Saint-Petersburg,Chechnya,Ingushetia,Babardino-Balkariaetc.)aswellasfromtheforeigncountries.ThisExhibitionreceivedsupportfrommanyRussianstateorganisations– thegovernmentofMoscow,theAgriculturalMinistryofRussianFederation,theMinistryofForeignAffairsoftheRussianFederationaswellasfromtheinternationalorganisationswithintheCountriesofIslamicCooperation(OIC)– theIslamicChamberofCommerceandIndustry(ICCI),theIslamicCentrefortheDevelopmentofTrade(ICDT),theIslamicResearchandTrainingInstitute(IRTI),HalalJournal,HalalMediaetc.

EsteemedspeakersfromSMIIC,HDC(Malaysia),SFDA(SaudiArabia),ASSAIF(Italy),WIEFandothernationalandinternationalorganisationsparticipatedatthebusinessprogramme.

Qur’an Competition

Mufti Council has separate department of Ulema which is not within the administration structure. Speaking about Qur'an Competition, Dr. Madina said, “The Qur’an competition was started eleven years ago, on the competition of the Moscow Madrasah. Then it embraced different regions of Russia. In 2009, it was passed to the international relations department as partner to hold because they had better experience and had better experience of modern day events.”

“After this we invited from different countries, such as Kazakstan, Kirgistan because as a federal international Qur’an competition. After this it was held in Moscow Cathedral Mosque and after this we set to upgrade. We want to upgrade, why not Qur’an competition on higher level, different officials, authorities, members ambassadors, guests, public figures, members of Russian Council Federation,” Dr Madina said.

Dr. Madina also mentioned, “We launch in 2009 a big event. We had about 25 participant from different countries and only two participants from Russia, why took two, there are mainly two reasons, from the Caucasus and Volga regions and the rest are from outside. I don’t exactly remember. It was in 2009. In this two years in 2009 and 2010 we had all kinds of countries beginning from the Middle East, Kuwait, Oman, may be Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, we had North Africa like Morocco, Egypt, Tunisia, Algeria, south Africa; we had from China, Malaysia, Indonesia; we had from Europe, from Bulgaria, Lathunia, from Scandinavian countries from Sweden, from 25 countries and one from each countries. We have change the issues, for example, in the Jubilee Competition from 5^thTilawa, last year only Tilawa and this year only Fiqh.”

The 12^thQur'an Competition was held on Sunday, the 25^th of September 2011.

TurkishPresident celebratesachievementsof

theOxfordCentreforIslamicStudies

Dr.MozammelHaque

ThePresidentoftheRepublicofTurkey,HEAbdullahGulhasinvitedsomebusinessmen,atleast50peoplefromSaudiArabia,UnitedArabEmirates(UAE),Kuwait,NigeriaandTurkeyatadinneronThursday,2ndofMay,2013atDolmabahcePalace,Istanbul, tocelebratetheachievementsoftheOxfordCentreforIslamicStudies,. Oxford. Dr.AbdullahOmarNasseef,chairmanoftheBoardofTrusteesoftheOxfordCentreforIslamicStudies,Oxford,attendedat the dinnertocelebratethe OXCIS’s achievements.Dr.FarhanNizami,theDirectoroftheCentre,wasalsopresent.

Thereweremainlytwospeeches,thefirstonebyDr.FarhanNizami,theDirectoroftheCentre,whointroducedtheCentreandspokeabouthowmuchtheCentreneedsandPresidentAbdullahGulsupportedhim.“FarhanNizami’sspeechwasverygood.Hesaidhowmuchweneedandhowmuchleft;allthesethingsandthePresidentsupportedwhateverFarhanNizamihassaid.AfterFarhanNizamifinishedthePresidentspoke,” saidDr.Naseefinaninterviewwithme.

TheOxfordCentreforIslamicStudieswasgrantedtheRoyalCharterforitsscholarlystudyofIslamandithasbecomethefirstIslamicorganisationtoreceivethishonour.RoyalCharters,grantedbythesovereignontheadviceofthePrivyCouncil,haveahistorydatingbacktothe13^thcentury.Theyarenownormallygrantedonlytobodiesthatworkinthepublicinterestandwhichcandemonstratepre-eminence,stabilityandperformanceintheirparticularfield.TheUniversityofOxford,andmanyoftheOxfordColleges,aswellasanumberofotherleadingBritishacademicinstitutions,aresimilarlyincorporatedbyRoyalCharter.

HRHPrinceCharles,anheirapparenttotheBritishThrone,hostedareceptionatSt.JamesPalace,London,May,lastyear,2012,tocelebratethehistoricachievementoftheCentre.

CelebrationinTurkey

ThePresidentofTurkeyHEAbdullahGulisamemberoftheBoardofTrusteesoftheOxfordCentre.“HewasamemberoftheOxfordCentreBoardofTrusteesbeforehebecomesthePresident;sohecontinuestobethemember,” saidDr.Nasseef.

Thebrochure,preparedbytheorganiserofthecelebration,wasplacedatthedinnertable.ThebrochurementionedhowtheinvitedguestswouldbeabletohelptheCentreinitsdifferentprogrammeandintheconstructionofthenewbuilding.

TheCentre’sactivitiesandprojectsrelyentirelyonthesupportofitsfriendsaroundtheworld.TheirvisionandgenerosityhaveenabledtheCentretodevelopacademicworkofthehigheststandardsandtobecomeagloballyrecognisedmeeting-placeforscholarsfromEastandWest.TheirsupporthasenabledtheconstructionofnewpremisesfortheCentre,butfundsareurgentlyrequiredtofinishtheprojectandmakeitfullyoperational.TheNewBuildingisduetobeformallyopenedin2014.Thereafterfundsareneededtoendownewresearchandteachingpoststomakeuseofthefacilities.

SomewaysinwhichyoucanhelptosupporttheworkoftheCentre:

*Contributetotheremainingconstructionandfit-outcostsoftheCentre’slandmarkbuildingincentralOxford.Itisbuilttobethehigheststandardsoftraditionalcraftsmanship,and,initsdesignanddetail,itsymbolisesacademicandculturalpartnershipbetweenEastandWest.

*ContributetotheCentre’slong-standingambitiontodevelopamajorresearchprogrammefocussedonTurkey.ThisprogrammewillbringoutTurkey’shistoricroleastheinterfacebetweenAsiaandEurope,itshugecontributiontoglobalcivilisationanditsleadroleandresponsibilitiesincontemporaryworldaffairs.

*EstablishaNamedFellowshipatthecentretoprovideinperpetuityafocalpointforteachingandresearchinaspecialistorgeneralfield.

Newbuilding

TheCentre’snewbuilding,underconstructionintheheartoftheancientcity,blendsthearchitectureofOxfordCollegeswiththeformsandstylesoftheclassicalperiodofIslam.ItwillprovideallthenecessaryfacilitiesforaworldclassscholarlyinstitutionandstandasaUniquesymbolofrich,dynamicharmonybetweentwoancienttraditionofscholarship.

BackgroundoftheCentre

TheOxfordCentreforIslamicStudiesisaRecognisedIndependentCentreoftheUniversityofOxford.Establishedin1985,theCentreencourages,throughreadingandscholarship,abetterunderstandingofthecultureandcivilizationofIslamandcontemporaryMuslimsocieties.TheCentrewasgrantedaRoyalCharterbyHMQueenElizabethIIin2012.ItisthefirstacademicinstitutionfocussedonthestudyoftheMuslimworldtobegrantedsuchrecognition.

AbouttheCentre,itismentionedinthebrochure,HRHThePrinceofWales,thePatronoftheOxfordCentreforIslamicStudies,said,“IpaytributetotheworkoftheOxfordCentreforIslamicStudiesandthankthosewhohavesupporteditsogenerously.Thesteadyexpansionofitsacademicandstudentsnumbers,anditscommitmenttothecreationofaworthyandlastinghomeforIslamicstudyamongthegreatestoftheOxfordcolleges,issomethingwhichbringsmegreatsatisfactionandpride.”

BoardofTrustees

TheOxfordCentreforIslamicStudieshasveryprominentscholarsatitsBoardofTrustees:Dr.AbdullahOmarNasseef (Chairman),PehinAbdulAzizUmar(ViceChairman),Mr.KhalidAlireza,ProfessorDavidClary,HRHPrinceTurkiAl-Faisal,ProfessorKeithGriffin,HEDr.AbdullahGul,Mr.EasaAlGurg,VeryRevdChristopherLewis,ProfessorAliMazrui,HRHRajaDr.NazrinShah,SheikhDr.MohammedAl-Sabah,TunAhmadSarji,Dr.AliAl-Shamlan.

ItsAcademicexcellence

TheCentreiscommittedtotheadvancementofacademicexcellenceinteaching,researchandpublication,andtothecultivationofsustaineddialogueandcooperationwithintheglobalacademiccommunity.OperatingfromitsbaseinOxford,theinternationaloutreachoftheCentrehasextendedtoAfrica,Asia,EuropeandtheAmericas.

ProfessorAndrewHamilton,FRS,Vice-ChancelloroftheUniversityofOxford,said:“TheCentre’sDirectorandFellowsaredeeplyembeddedwithinthefabricoftheUniversityandmakeavibrantcontributiontoitsacademicandintellectuallife.TheCentredrawsscholarsandothervisitingFellowsfromaroundtheworldand,initsinternationalreach,italsomirrorstheinternationalnatureoftheUniversityofOxforditself.” Itwasalsomentionedinthebrochure.

ItsInternationaldialogue

TheCentrehascreatedameetingpointforinter-civilizationaldialogueandunderstanding.Statesmenfromaroundtheworldhaveparticipatedinitsactivitiesandsupporteditswork.Scholarsfromdifferenttraditionsoflearninghaveco-operatedunderitsauspices.

AbouttheCentreanditsactivitiesandperformance,Mr.NelsonMandela,said:“IleavetheCentreconfidentthatwedohavethecapacitytoembarkonthissharednewvoyageofexplorationintothenextmillennium,seekingtobuildanewworldorderfromwhichallnationsandpeopleshallbenefitequally.”

HEPresidentAbdullahGul,TrusteeoftheOxfordCentreforIslamicStudies,said,asitwasmentionedinthebrochure,“IcannotoveremphasizetheimportanceoftheCentre’smission.ItpromotesasoundunderstandingofMuslimcultureandcivilizationanddoessoinaninclusiveway,engagingscholarsfromEastandWest.Itplaysaninfluentialroleattheinterfaceofworldcultures,promotingtheunderstandinganddialoguewhicharesovitallyneededinourdividedworld.”

TheCentre’smission

TheCentreiscommittedtothehigheststandardsofexcellenceinscholarship.ItsFellowssuperviseresearch,andexamineforvariousUniversityfacultiesanddepartments,includinganthropology,continuingeducation,economics,history,internationalrelations,orientalstudies,politics,andtheology.

Research:TheCentrepromotesadvancedresearchinarangeofdisciplines.ItsAtlasProject,supportedbytheLeverhulmeTrust(UK),theAndrewW.MellonFoundation(USA),andCarnegicCorporation(NewYork),isdevotedtothestudyoftherootsofsocialandintellectualdevelopmentsintheIslamicworld.OtherareasofinterestincludeeconomicandhumandevelopmentinMuslimsocieties,IslamicFinance,andthestudyofMuslimsinBritain.

PublicationsTheCentre’smainpublications,asidefromworkpublishedbyitsFellowsandoccasionalmonographs,aretheJournalofIslamicStudies(OxfordUniversityPress,1990-),andaseriesofbiographicalessaysontheMakersofIslamicCivilization(OUP/I.B.Tauris)

VisitingFellowships:TheCentre’sVisitingFellowshipProgrammehasbroughttoOxfordscholarsfromnearly50differentcountries.Thishelpstocreateandsustainaninternationalnetworkofpersonalandinstitutionallinks.

AWorldForum

TheCentre’sDistinguishedVisitingLectureprogrammehasdrawnworldleaderstospeakatOxfordonissuesofglobalsignificance.LecturershaveincludedMr.NelsonMandela,manyheadsofgovernment,theSecretaries-GeneraloftheUN,theCommonwealth,theArabLeague,andtheOIC.

IIROSA presents relief aid to over

31 million individuals since inception

Dr. Mozammel Haque

Jeddah, Saudi Arabia: The 8^th General Annual Meeting of the International Islamic Relief Organization Saudi Arabia (IIROSA) was held at Crown Plaza, Hotel, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on Thursday, 9^th of May, 2013. The meeting provided the favourable tidings of its achievements of the previous year 1433 (2012).

Under the supervision of the Secretary General of The Muslim World League , The president of the Board of Directors, Dr. Abdullah Al-Muhsin Al-Turki. IIROSA has achieved 1342 projects and programmes that benefitted more than four and a half million needy people with a total amount of SR 120 millions. These expenditures come from the money given by the donors the majority of whom belong to the generous King Government and people of Saudi Arabia

Plight of Syrian people

Last year has witnessed the worsening plight of the Syrian people. Their suffering was alleviated when the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah bin Abdul-Aziz launched a popular campaign to relieve them. IIROSA is one of the first organisations that responded to the campaign by distributing thousands of food baskets to the Syrian refugees in Lebanon. Moreover, IIROSA has provided 1,052,00 blankets and thermal quilts, 145 thousand stoves and 135 thousand meals. Moreover, the IIROSA has established centres for receiving Syrian refugees in Lebanon and provided them with diesel used for heating during winter

IIROSA is also performing simple and major surgeries for patients and wounded persons as well as distributing free medicines in addition to implanting artificial limbs for some Syrian refugees who suffered from amputation when leaving their country. Thanks to Allah those people have become able to lead their lives normally. Saudi Ambassador has visited the centre that was established by IIROSA for receiving Syrian refugees in Bakaa region. HE has expressed his pleasure of the role played by IIROSA and its continuous and unremitting efforts to assist the refugees and alleviate their suffering. In the inauguration ceremony three protocols of coordination were signed between the IIROSA and Lebanese service sectors. Furthermore, the IIROSA has sponsored more than 8000 male and female students of Syrian refugees.

IIROSA’s activity during the fiscal year 2011-12

IIROSA’s activity during the fiscal year 2011-12 has reached 57 countries in the world starting Jakarta in the east to the Sao Paulo in the West translating its slogan relief development and rehabilitation.

IIROSA manages its charitable works through 7 main programmes. Through the Social Welfare Programmes in terms of expenditure during the fiscal year 2011-2012 as the total spending on its programmes has reached SR 32.5 millions. The programmes benefitted 37,195 orphans in 26 countries.

Second: This programme is followed by the Emergency Relief Programme with a total amount of SR. 29 millions. That benefitted 3 million affected people in 13 countries.

Third: The Community Development and Seasonal projects Programme with a total amount of SR. 27.4 millions.

Fourth: the Engineering Department with a budget of more than SR. 11 millions for mosques building and wells drilling. The programme benefitted 43 thousand people by establishing 98 mosques and 115 wells.

Fifth: The Education Welfare Department with a total amount of SR 8 millions that benefitted 54 educational institutions that accommodate 56, 125 male and female students in addition to sponsoring 29 teachers and providing 349 scholarships.

Then the Health Care Programme with a total amount of SR 7 millions that benefitted 334 thousand patients through 35 health projects in 20 countries.

Sixth: The Holy Qur’an Programme with an amount of SR. 4.8 million that was used in sponsoring 338 preachers and 304 Qur’an teachers in 29 countries.

As IIROSA’s mission is pioneering the humanitarian and institutional work in a way that serves man and achieves reconstruction and development and as it is a widespread international organization IIROSA has chosen the partnerships and alliances as its strategic choice. Thus, IIROSA is currently a member in 16 councils, organizations, initiatives, in forums, unions, offices, networks and committees on the locals and international levels.

IIROSA has also coordination and partnership relationship with more than 13 UN international and regional organizations. Furthermore, it has signed a number of partnership and cooperation agreements in Saudi Arabia and abroad to implement relief, developmental health and environmental projects.

It has formed a team of outstanding Saudi competencies to supervise the implantation of the programme. In a step that considered a quantum leap and excellent way in providing services to the beneficiaries IIROSA has conducted an agreement with Deloitte and Touche Co. to implement the Restructing Project; project that may take to new horizons of quantitative and qualitative development in the world of management of money. This restructuring is related to the developmental aspects of IIROSA’s activities in the aim of keeping pace with modern requirements of relief and development work based on quality and transparency.

As IIROSA is keen to sustain its projects and protect them from the effects of the Economic fluctuations, it has started investing in many endowments in Makkah to use their income for its several programmes. This organisation is currently working on four giant endowment projects, that include tower hotels, as follows Beyout Allah Relief endowment project No (7) the 3^rd Ring Road, Orphans Relief Endowment, Project No (8), Ajyad Al-Sad, Community Development Relief Endowment, Project No. (11) Ibrahim al-Khaleels Street, Misfalah, Health Care Relief Endowment, Project No. (12), Aziziah Main Street.

IIROSA has implemented some programmes in Saudi Arabia to prove its local presence and to contribute to the community development as recognition to this favour and proceeding from the principle of social responsibility. These programmes include Employment and Training programme that aims at providing job opportunities to the Saudi citizens, males and females and qualifying young people by training them. This programme has benefitted a number of prisoner’s families in order to protect them from deviation as well as a number of university graduates and high school certificate holders.

Moreover, IIROSA has implemented Local Programmes for the productive families that aims at empowering women and supporting her role in the family. This programme has benefitted groups of widows, divorcees and orphans living in the charity houses.

Moreover, IIROSA has connected electricity to 33 houses of poor families at Jommah village at Lith and has also paid electricity bills as part of its keenness to provide comfort to the needy people.

New Executive Leadership

Last year, IIROSA has witnessed the transition of its executive leadership from its former Secretary General Dr. Adnan Ben Khalil Basha to Mr. Ehssan Ben Saleh Taieb. The inauguration of the Acting Secretary General has concurred with many important activities which reflect IIROSA’s regional and international status. Thus the Secretary General has participated in many local and international activities, including the Consultative Meeting called for by the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and hosted by Qatar Charity to provide relief assistance to the Rohingya people in Myanmar; The Consultative Humanitarian Meeting for Syria that was held in Istanbul; The International Conference in Fatwa held in Indonesia by the Fiqh Council of the Muslim World League (MWL).

IIROSA

The International Islamic Relief Organisation emanating from the Muslim World League (MWL) and functions internationally. IIROSA coordinates with donors by delivering their donations to needy and distressed people all over the world in order to strengthen their belief of Islam, relieve them, alleviate their sufferings and develop their communities.

IIROSA has a legal personality and an administrative and financial entity of its own, within the framework of its constitution and byelaws.

Its Objectives

The objective of the IIROSA is to be among the first three organizations that provide relief for the disaster-stricken areas around the world; to be a reference in the field of charity work; to make performance levels of staff on par with global professional ones; to implement the international quality standards; to achieve strategic partnerships with countries, organizations and individuals in the same field; to be one of the best 10 internationally accredited organisations in developing and implementing the reconstructions and development programmes; to achieve self-financing for all projects; to make the media one of the main foundations of its work and to contribute to preserving the environment and natural resources by rationalization of the consumption of electric power and power as well as reducing paper clutter.

Its activities

Since its establishment, IIROSA has always been associated with the needy, distressed, orphans and displaced people all over the world. Moreover, during its relief and humanitarian history, IIROSA has been and still a symbol of credibility and transparency that reflects the message of faith, spiritual radiation and the meanings of giving and communication between the philanthropists and needy people under the Islamic tolerance. With Allah’s grace and the support of the philanthropists of this generous

IIROSA has been capable to do such leading role through 7 main programme whose total cost during the fiscal 1432-1433 (2011-2012) amounted to SR. 118,989,038,05 for implementing and operating 1,42 projects for the benefit of 4,529,934 individuals in 57 countries (30 African countries; 19 Asian countries; 7 European countries and one country in South America, Brazil.

First: Social Welfare Programme; it has 25 projects; 10 orphanages and 15 centres that benefitted 37,195 orphans, 50 supervisors & coordinators in 26 countries.

Second: Emergency Relief Programme: 13 projects that benefitted 2,985,139 in 13 countries.

Third: Community Development & Seasonal Projects Programme: 45 Projects; beneficiaries 965,376 in 45 countries.

Fourth: Engineering Department (Mosques & Wells): it has 98 mosques, 115 wells and 9 other projects that benefitted 143,097in 17 countries.

Fifth: Education Welfare Programme: It has 54 educational institution that benefitted students of the educational institutions: 56,125. Scholarship students 349; teachers 29.

Sixth: Health Care Programme. It has 35 health projects that benefitted patients 333,739; workers in the health professions 149.

Seventh: The Holy Qur’an & Dawa Programme. 642 Qur’an Projects; 306 Qur’an Centres and Circles that benefitted teachers & supervisors 304; students 8,044 and preachers 338.

Significance of Lailatul Miraj& Isra

Dr. Mozammel Haque

The Night Journey of Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, is no doubt a miracle. He was taken to Heaven physically in body and spirit in one night. He led the Prophets for prayers at Jerusalem and he saw paradise and the sufferings of people from punishments in hell-fire.

About the Journey, Adil Salahi wrote in his book: Muhammad: Man and Prophet, “One night, as the Prophet was asleep in the home of his cousin Umm Hani bint Abu Talib in Makkah, the Angel Gabriel came and woke him up and took him by hand to the mosque, where he found an animal smaller than a mule but slightly bigger than a donkey. The animal, which was a quadruped, also had two wings and floated easily as he moved with unimaginable speed. The Prophet’s own description of his movement was that ‘he put his foot at the furthest point to his side.’”

“Together, the Prophet and Gabriel rode the animal, which was called Al-Buraq, a name derived from Barq, meaning lightening. In no time at all they reached Jerusalem in Palestine. There the Prophet met Abraham, Moses, Jesus and other noble prophets. He led them all in prayer. He was then brought three cups: one contained milk, another contained wine, and the third contained water. He drank the milk. When he had finished, Gabriel said: “You and your nation are rightly guided.” When they had finished their business in Jerusalem, they flew up to heaven. The Prophet tells us that as they entered each of the seven heavens Gabriel would confirm to its guardian angel that Muhammad had already received his mission. In each heaven he met one or other of the prophets who preached the message of God’s oneness to mankind.”

On this very important topic, I interviewed one of the very well-known Islamic scholars, Dr. Ahmad ibn Saifuddin Turkistani, Professor at the Al-Imam ibn Muhammad Saud Islamic University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, whom I knew since 1982 when he used to give talk on Islam at the Channel Two of Saudi Arabian Television on every Friday after Jummah prayer. Dr. Turkistani is now in London and I interviewed him about Lailatul Miraj and Isra.

Interview with Professor Ahmad ibn Saifuddin

Miraj and Isra are two words and it took place in one and the same night. Describing Miraj and Isra, Professor Ahmad ibn Saifuddin Turkistani said, “Miracle was given to Prophet peace be upon him in his lifetime. This journey carried him very close to the Ars, the throne of Allah the Almighty. It is known that it is not possible for doing for any human being. But Prophet (peace be upon him) had travelled physically by his body and in spirit, not only in spirit as some people may think and interpret.”

More precisely, people wonder whether it was a ‘spiritual’ or physical journey. The Qur’an answers the question clearly. Professor Turkistani quoted the verse of the Qur’an where Allah the Almighty said in Surah entitled The Night Journey or al-Isra: “Limitless in His Glory is He who made His servant go by night from the Sacred Temple (of Makkah) to the further Temple (of Jerusalem) whose surroundings We have blessed that We might show him some of our signs. He alone hears all and sees all.” (Al-Qur’an; 17:1).

“Allah the Almighty took the Prophet (peace be upon him) from Masjid al-Haram to the furthest Masjid al-Aqsa in Jerusalem, Palestine. In fact, the Prophet (peace be upon him) was challenged by the non-believers. The prophet was telling and they asked him to describe the Masjid al-Aqsa. Allah the Almighty brought in his own vision so he can describe in full detail the Masjid al-Aqsa,” said Professor Turkistani.

Date of Miraj?

Miraj took place after the revelation of the Qur’an. Qur’an was revealed in the month of Ramadan. Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him was taken as a prophet. About the exact date of Miraj, Professor Turkistani said, “Qur’an was revealed in the Lailatul Qadar in the month of Ramadan and Miraj took place in the month of Rajab; Allah knows better. There is no definite date. But it could probably in the month of Rajab. When Abu Bakr was told by the unbelievers what Prophet’s (peace be upon him) was saying about his Night Journey into Jerusalem and back again to Makkah at the same night; he believed it. He said it I believed it. Abu Bakr said: “I believe you; you always tell the truth.”

What happened on that Night

Speaking about what happened on that night, Professor Turkistani said, “It is reported in the Hadiths, what he had done at that night. Prophet (peace be upon him) did that night. He went by an animal called al-Buraq from Makkah to Jerusalem and he led prayer at Masjid al-Maqdas. Miraj is like it took him to high heavens where he saw people. You will find this in Hadiths of the Prophet peace be upon him; i.e. that is Miraj.”

Met some of the Prophets

Professor Turkistani said, “Many things took place on that night as the Prophet (peace be upon him) was carried from first heaven to the second heaven until he reached seven heaven and then he reached the curtain, the last curtain, where a person, any human that is the highest position and closest to Allah the Almighty. In that first heaven where Jibrail opens the door for him, he saw Adam (peace be upon him) in the first heaven and he gave Salam and then he went to second heaven where he met Yahya, Zakariya and Issa ibn Mariam (peace be upon them all) and they returned the salam to him. Then he went to third heaven and he saw Yusuf (peace be upon him) and then went to fourth heaven, he saw Idris (peace be upon him) and then he went to fifth heaven and in the sixth heaven he saw Musa (peace be upon him) and then when he passed him he saw him crying and he asked him why you were crying; he said because a young boy who was sent after me went to Paradise and has more believers than my own Ummah; that’s why he was crying. In the seventh heaven he saw Ibrahim (peace be upon him).”

Five time Salah was ordained

After that Prophet (peace be upon him) went to Sidratul Muntaha, where he was close to Allah the Almighty, very very close. Allah revealed to him the Five Salah ordained upon Muslims there but he went back because Allah the Almighty first it was revealed fifty prayers day and night. Musa (peace be upon him) told him: ‘Your people would not be able to do it so go back to Allah, go back to your Lord; asked him and he went back again to Allah the Almighty. He kept going back and forth. Allah said there would be five in performance but fifty in rewards; because every hasana is multiplied ten times,” said Professor Turkistani.

Then Professor Turkistani narrated Prophet’s visit to the heavens and other places: “The Prophet (peace be upon him) saw people who were suffering from the punishments from the hell-fire and there were kind of people to receive such punishments. Some Hadiths said in details and some Hadiths always referred to authentic Hadiths.”

Celebration of that Night:

Not to do anything

Speaking about the celebration or observance of that Night of Journey, Professor Turkistani said, “One important thing is the celebration of that night. We do not know any Hadith or any Tradition of the Prophet (peace be upon him) asking people to celebrate the miracle something that happened. Not even fasting; not even holding sessions where we do this or that. Nothing of that. I advice: not to do anything; because we do not know exactly the date of the Lailatul Miraj. Some historians say it took place one year before Hijra, migration of the Prophet from Makkah to Madinah; some say it was one year two months or four months before Hijra before Prophet (peace be upon him) migrated from Makkah to Madinah.

“I would like people to benefit; benefit is not invented in deen, anything that is added. To celebrate Sab-e-Miraj, in fact, people should do nothing. Thanks Allah that He made Prophet (peace be upon him) go by night from Makkah to Jerusalem. This is one of the evidences of Prophecy. Thanks Allah in any way than celebrate or add things in this regard,” advised Professor Turkistani.

I enquired Lailatul Miraj is a miracle and Muslims want to thank Allah the Almighty for this. Professor Turkistani said, “Thanking Allah or praising Allah is a form of Ibadah or worship and any worship has to be in accordance with the Sunnah; whether the Companions celebrated this or any prayer made for this. So we have to follow Sunnah in this regard. Always thanks Allah the Almighty at any time, not occasion.”

In this connection, Professor Turkistani also mentioned about the celebration of Lailatul Barat, 15^th of Shabaan or Maulud-i-Nabi. “We have to be very careful; not to add to these things. Remember all these events that took place at that time. Alhamdo Lillah, they showed the greatness of Islam, the Prophet (peace be upon him) and bounties but in no way we should add to them or trying to change religion.”

“If we want to celebrate these events, at least we should distribute sweets or enjoying our life like Eid as a happy day but in no way first of all as they said we are not sure when it took place. There are reports that it took place in Rajab, there are also reports that it took place in any other month. So there is no particular date we know for certain” said Professor Turkistani.

Comparing with modern science

When people are trying to explain this Night Journey scientifically and compared with modern science, Professor Turkistani said, “We are trying to convince non-Muslims that from one side of the earth to another planets going very very fast way. But Allah the Almighty can do anything that He wanted. We know about the angels. Now the angels are so huge. Jibrael (peace be upon him) has 600 wings and one wing of Jibrael (peace be upon him) can cover the whole horizon. That’s why we need to be very careful comparing this journey with the modern science.”

Universality of the Islamic Message

Writing on this subject, Adil Salahi in his book observed, “At Jerusalem, Muhammad led the other Prophets in prayer. …For the Prophets to pray together at Jerusalem signifies the continuity of their messages and their unity of rank and purpose. Jerusalem thus occupies a unique position as a sacred place for all followers of the Divine religions. That unique prayer of the Prophets led by Muhammad also signifies that as Islam has crowned all Divine messages and brought them to their final form, Jerusalem, the spot revered by all religions, belongs to the Muslims who follow Muhammad, the recognised leader of all Prophets.”

God created all the laws of nature

Majority of Islamic scholars believe that the Prophet peace be upon him did physically, in body and spirit, go on this night journey. But some people may find it hard to believe because it involves preternatural powers. Adil Salahi observed, “The answer is that whatever powers such a journey required, they were easy for God to provide.”

He asked, “Look back only one hundred years and imagine what would have been the reaction of people if someone had told them that anyone would be able to travel the distance between Bahrain and London in a little over four hours, in luxurious comfort.”

“In tackling such events as the night journey, one needs to remember only that they occur because God has willed that they should occur. To Him there is no such thing as ‘nature’ or ‘preternatural’. He has created all the laws of nature, whether they are familiar or not. To Him the operation of all laws is equally easy. What is not understood of His actions is readily accepted, because the fact that His power is limitless is already accepted,” mentioned Adil Salahi in his book mentioned earlier.

Baroness Warsi Championing

Islamic Finance in UK

Dr. Mozammel Haque

Baroness Sayeeda Warsi, Senior State Minister, Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) disclosed recently that the UK Coalition Government has established Islamic Finance Task Force. She said, “I am proud to say that the Coalition Government agrees by establishing the UK’s first ever ministerial-led Islamic Finance Task Force, with the ministerial clout of several departments. It is jointly chaired by me at the Foreign Office and Greg Clark, the Financial Secretary to the Treasury.”

UK Islamic Finance Task Force

Baroness Warsi was delivering a lecture on “The Future of Islamic Finance in a Global economy” organised by the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies (OXCIS), Oxford, held at Taylor Institution, Oxford, on Thursday, 6^th of June, 2013.

Baroness Warsi mentioned, it is supported by Alan Duncan at the Department from International Development; Lord Green at the Department for Business; David Willetts the Universities and Skills Minister; and Lord Deighton, the Commercial Secretary to the Treasury. That’s six Ministers looking to build upon London’s status as a centre for Islamic Finance.

And they are supported by a strong team of industry practitioners – three of whom are Shabir Randeree, Group Managing Director of DCD London and Mutual PLC, Dr Mohammad Abdel-Haq, CEO of Oakstone Merchant Bank Ltd and Richard de Belder, Partner of international law firm SNR Denton. The Task Force has five specific focuses: supporting the market; financing infrastructure; regulation; education; and communications, she said.

Islamic Finance has huge potential

Baroness Warsi argued, “Islamic finance has huge potential in the global economy – not many sectors are predicted to grow five-fold by the end of the decade.”

Baroness Warsi recently visited Malaysia and Indonesia and became aware of the potential of Islamic finance. Baroness Warsi said, “Globally the market has grown 50 per cent faster than the traditional banking sector. Sharia compliant assets rose by more than 160 per cent between 2009 and 2011. And Islamic Finance investments are now already worth $1.8 trillion dollars – with the industry forecasting this to grow to $2.5 trillion by 2015.

In Britain, there are great examples of this sector’s successes. Baroness Warsi mentioned, “More than a dozen banks in London delivering Islamic finance transactions, five of which are stand alone Sharia-compliant.”

About the rapid rise of this Islamic Finance industry in London, Baroness Warsi mentioned, “London’s skyline has been transformed by Sharia deals – the Shard, Chelsea Barracks, Harrods, Olympic Village, all financed in whole or in part by Islamic Finance. Each of these is a powerful symbol of the sector’s rapid rise and a daily reminder of the importance of engaging with potentially lucrative new markets in the Muslim world and beyond. “

9^th World Islamic Economic Forum in UK

Baroness Warsi also said, to further cement our world-leader status, London has been chosen to host the 9^th World Islamic Economic Forum in October – the first time it’s been held outside the Muslim world. “This rapid increase is, for me, something to celebrate and something to build upon,” Baroness Warsi said.

Baroness Warsi also said what this coalition government is doing to continue moving us in the right direction. She started by giving three reasons why, more than ever, the time is right for Islamic finance. First and foremost, she said, “Economic power is shifting to the east, to China and to India, and also to the burgeoning middle classes in the Middle East and South East Asia. Britain, and British businesses of all sizes, can no longer afford to ignore new and emerging markets. We need to demonstrate to the world that UK is a first class destination for foreign investment and commerce – to show that Britain is open for business. London is sending that message out loud and clear.”

Baroness Warsi also said, “We are facing increased competition from Dubai, New York and Hong Kong, as well as future regional hubs, such as Nigeria, in its bid to become an African financial capital. We must constantly be striving for more, and Islamic finance provides one area where development is possible.

Ethical Finance

Secondly, Baroness Warsi mentioned about ethical finance. She said ethics and business are not adversaries; in the long run they need each other. She cited examples of how people are seeking investments that comply with their philosophy and beliefs. Baroness Warsi mentioned, “Since it adopted it ethical policy in 1992 the Cooperative bank has turned away loan applications worth a reported £900million. We are seeing the effects of this trend across the world. In Turkey the value of assets held by Participation banks, those whose practices are structured in accordance with Islamic law, has increased by 1000 per cent in a decade. The share of these banks has increased from 2% a decade ago to 6%, and the Turkish government is looking to increase this to 15 per cent over the next decade.”

“In America, Sabbath economics, which employ the principles of the Biblical Sabbath and focus on the redistribution of wealth, are thriving. With the simple intention of countering the ‘Wall Street economics’ of getting the greatest possible return, this model aims to do the greatest possible good and getting a decent return in the process,” she said.

Baroness Warsi argued, “With Qard Hassan, the good or benevolent loan, Islamic finance aims to establish a caring society, mobilise wealth, encourage good deeds and help those in need. And that’s something I would like to call on all Islamic banks, indeed all banks, to work to achieve.”

“So Islamic Finance could be a sensible, measured banking option, at a time when confidence remains low and the Government is working with the G8 to improve the transparency of financial institutions,” said Baroness Warsi.

We need to balance and diversify

our economy, says Baroness Warsi

Baroness Warsi argued, “This is the third reason why Islamic finance is an important option because we cannot simply carry on as before. We need to rebalance and diversify our economy. We need to consolidate and protect our existing position. We need to engage with new markets, products and regions. To go beyond the borders of the EU and our traditional trading partners and to connect with the increasingly global economy. But just as we need to re-balance the nation’s economy to promote stability and resilience, we should encourage individual sectors to diversify. And again, there is a place here for Islamic finance.”

Baroness Warsi mentioned about removing barriers and supporting the market-driven growth and innovation. She said, “With a specific aim to maintain a favourable tax and regulatory framework for Islamic Finance to give London a competitive edge, building on what the UK has already done with Islamic mortgages and the tax system to ensure Sukuk are not penalised.”

We are looking at alternative finance schemes

“So we are looking at alternative finance schemes like Murabahas and Wakalas to give students the option to have their student loans financed in a Sharia-compliant way. And with Green Deal providers we are exploring ways to make the Green Deal available under Sharia principles. In each case, we will consider how to overcome the tax and legislative barriers to them. By working with the industry, we will support it in its aim to broaden the range of products and services, reducing the risk of over-exposure and ensuring that high quality Islamic alternatives are available to customers,” Baroness Warsi mentioned.

Speaking about the role of the Islamic Finance Taskforce, Baroness Warsi mentioned, “The Task Force will consider what role the UK can play in establishing these global standards, and whether financial ratings agencies can adequately reflect the unique characteristics of Islamic institutions. The fourth work stream is looking at ways of promoting and exporting UK Islamic Finance education, training and research expertise.”

“The UK is already a major global provider in the specialist legal expertise required for Islamic finance. 25 law firms provide legal services in Islamic finance. The UK also leads on providing qualifications for the global industry. With more than a dozen colleges, universities and business schools offering a qualification in Islamic Finance. And we will look at the introduction of accreditation for Islamic finance education as well as a regulatory body for training providers,” she said.

Baroness Warsi also mentioned how the Islamic Finance can feed into the UK’s foreign policy objectives. She said the post -Arab Spring countries are currently undertaking political and economic transition. “The governments of the region are promoting Islamic finance, and as a result growth in the sector is expected be significant and could mean that the regional industry is six times larger in 2015 than it was in 2010.”

Baroness Warsi argued, “There is an opportunity for the UK, and the Islamic finance sector in particular, to support this process by providing the expertise, financial innovation and services that this developing industry needs to grow. Supporting economic transition in the region in a tangible and proactive way. Helping these countries to overcome the challenging economic problems that they face.”

Baroness Warsi championing Islamic Finance

Toward the end of her speech, Baroness Warsi said, “Islamic finance has a potential market base of more than two billion people, notwithstanding those drawn by ethical, not religious considerations. In the wake of the financial crisis, the principles upon which Islamic finance are based seem more important, more attractive, than ever before. Principles of balance; shared risk; fairness; due diligence; oversight and transparency. Principles that prevent you from selling what you don’t own or attaching a value to assets that do not exist.”

Baroness Warsi acknowledged, “Of course, there are ongoing conflicting interpretations of what activities are Sharia compliant, which can and do themselves create investor uncertainty.” But at the same time, she argued, “the sector is still developing: the revival of Islamic finance is only 50 years old, whereas conventional banks have been around for 500 years.”

“Modern Islamic Finance is, after all, in relative terms, at the beginning its life cycle. So although it is something that brings immense opportunities – it also has its challenges,” Baroness Warsi mentioned.

Concluding her speech, Baroness Warsi said, “The Government’s role is to create the regulatory and tax frameworks to allow the market to thrive, and, ultimately, help to produce the growth that Britain needs. And by championing Islamic finance I believe we are doing just that.”

Islamic Education in the Western Context:

Challenges & Opportunities

Dr. Mozammel Haque

One-day Conference on Islamic Education in the Western Context: Challenges & Opportunities was held by the NIDA TRUST in partnership with the Institute of Education, University of London at the Institute of Education, London, on Saturday, the 25^th of May, 2013.

Keynote speech

Dr. Abdullah Sahin

In the morning session, three keynote speeches were delivered. Dr. Abdullah Sahin of the Markfield Institute of Higher Education, University of Gloucestershire spoke about what is Islamic Education?: Rethinking Islamic Education within the secular context of Western Europe? His paper explored the impact of Islamic education on the identities and faith development of the learners and also focuses on the specific issues and challenges related to the organisation and delivery of Islamic education within the European Muslim diaspora. His paper argued the need to invest in the development of a much needed professional approach to Islamic educational practice and emphasized its significant role in helping diverse Muslim communities in the West to build educational/civic competence in order to engage meaningfully with the wider society.

Akram Khan Cheema

Second keynote speech was delivered by Akram Khan Cheema who spoke about How Islamic Education developed in the West, particularly in the UK. Akram Khan Cheema was very optimistic about the future of Islamic education in Britain and Europe. He said, the future of Islamic education in the UK and wider Europe looks very bright and positive from my experience, even though the irritation of the unreasonable ‘Islamophobia’ is frustrating. He also said that there is much to celebrate about the presence of ‘Islamic education’ in Britain and in Europe. Practical issues related to the organisation (getting better and better with time and effort) and delivery of Islamic education in formal and informal modes, i.e. delivery of Islamic education in part time Madrasah –attached to mosques and in homes, Islamic schools (state sector and community initiated), Muslim teacher training (AMSSCITT), the role of parents in Islamic education (Governors, PTAs, NGOs and Islamic Community and welfare agencies and charitable organisation) curriculum development (NC and RE, daily mainly and broadly Christian religious Assemblies, Citizenship etc), leadership in Islamic education sector as a whole and the role of Islamic education within state schools.

Professor Mark Halstead

The third keynote speech was delivered as a respondent by Professor Mark Halstead of the Huddersfield University. He defined Islamic Education as education that is (a) provided by Muslims; (b) provided for Muslims (c) based on Islamic principles

After defining Islamic Education, Professor Halsteadexplained what do Muslim parents want? *HIGH ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT: good exam results, preparation for a successful career and for full British citizenship. *CLEAR MORAL VALUES: a disciplined and caring environment where students develop high moral standards as a result of the example set by teachers and the values taught in the school. *A DEEP UNDERSTANDING OF THE FAITH: a school where faith is taken seriously and children can come to understand fully what it is to be a Muslim.

Then, Professor Halstead explained what Muslim schools can provide? *They remove barriers to Islamic religious observance. *They provide a spiritual and moral environment where children can learn sound values. *They enrich children’s understanding of and commitment to the faith. *They present religion as a normal way of life. *They counter the danger of cultural absorption by the dominant culture. *They provide an environment secure from Islamophobic bullying where children can fulfil their academic potential. *They respect children’s Muslim identity and develop their self-esteem. *They increase parental choice. *They demonstrate equity for Muslims in relation to other faith groups. *They symbolise equality of respect and recognition for Islam in the UK

Then Professor Halstead mentioned about the four challenges: number one challenge: overcoming prejudice against Islamic education: The MYTH; the challenge two: Developing a philosophy of Islamic education; the challenge three : providing effective values education for Muslim children and the challenge four is clarifying attitudes to Western values and Western education.

Professor Halstead raised some of the key questions for Islamic education, such as *1. What is the purpose of education in Islam? 2. What different types of education are there in Islam? 3. What is the relation between religious and secular knowledge? 4. Is education about the transmission of knowledge and beliefs, or about the capacity to think critically? 5. Should education permit the questioning of fundamental beliefs? 6. Is it the role of the student to listen, learn and repeat, or to become an autonomous individual? 7. How (or how far, or how well) does Islamic education prepare students for life in the modern world? 8. Should Islamic education exclude any subjects (or parts of subjects) from the curriculum?

Professor Halstead mentioned about the resources for exploring the principles of Islamic education which are as follows:

1. The Qur’an

2. The traditions of the Prophet

3. Classical Islamic writing on education

4. Contemporary writing on Islamic education

5. The Islamization of knowledge

6. Dialogue with other philosophies of education

7. The development of rational understanding and the process of conceptual clarification

Challenges developing Muslim Teacher

Training Programmes in Europe

In the second session on the Models of Islamic Education in Europe and Sharing Good Practice after the lunch, challenges facing Islamic education in Europe and the way forward, Amina Shaker, Director IRPA, Vienna, Austria discussed the situation of Islamic education in Austria. She said Muslims in Europe are on the way to establishing a new Islamic and pedagogical concept, which enables Islamic educational workers to share modern and context-sensitive Islamic principles and values with modern and contemporary pedagogic understanding, in a non-Islamic environment, with future generations.

Amina Shaker wrote a book entitled Austria-Islam: Fragments of 800 years of common history, published by New Academic Press, Vienna 2013. In this book, Amina Shaker dealt with Muslim Teachers Training College in Austria. She mentioned, “In 1998, the establishment of the IRPA (Muslim Teachers Training College) for the unique education of future religious education teachers. In this year, she mentioned, “The teaching of Islamic theological and pedagogical courses in cooperation with the Azhar University and the Vienna Pedagogic College began. Students had to manage both German and Arabic language.”

Amina Shaker said, “The Muslim Teachers Training had been improved over time as well as the whole education of Muslims in Austria. Students completed their study with an officially recognized Diploma Degree and were allowed to keep the title “Diplom-Pädagoge”. They can start with Master Studies afterward.”

This was the situation in 1998 but by 2007, the situation changed. Ms. Shaker said, “IRPA, now independently, offers all courses (Islamic Theology and Human Sciences) with it’s own staff. The cooperation with the Azhar University and the Vienna Pedagogic College was finished, because all courses now have to be in German language (according to ministerial directions) and the Professors for human sciences came to the IRPA to train the teacher there.”

Ms. Shaker gave a picture of the latest situation. She wrote in her book Austria-Islam: Fragments of 800 years of common history, “By 2013, IRPA has 300 students and 40 lecturers; New amendments of the Academy-Law are a challenge; enhances pedagogic academies and therefore allows for a Masters Degree to be offered. Exchange with Catholic Teachers Training College has been increased, as well as with Islamic Universities in Indonesia, Malaysia, Bosnia, Turkey and inshaAllah with MIHE (Leicester). A Common study course is in future plans, which aims to combine religious education with subjects such as Mathematics, German, PE etc.”

As a result of the improvements of European Muslims in the field of scientific and Islamic education, there can be a model perceived off establishing a European-Islamic identity, which takes into consideration that, on the one hand, Muslims are at home in Europe and therefore have the right and are even required to find their own solutions to questions regarding to their context and their life. She said Muslims in Europe are on the way to establishing a new Islamic and pedagogical concept, which enables Islamic educational workers to share modern and context-sensitive Islamic principles and values with modern and contemporary pedagogic understanding, in a non-Islamic environment, with future generation.

Madrasah of the Khoja Shia-Asheri community

Naushad Mehrall, Head of the Madrasah centre of Excellence UK (Khoja Shia Ithna Asheri Community) spoke about the challenges faced by the Madrasah were highlighted and possible solutions were debated. He mentioned the history of Madrasah for children in the Khoja Shia Ithna-Asheri community which has its roots in Gujerat, India and goes back about 150 years. As the community has spread out to East Africa, Europe and North America, the madrasah has always been an integral part of it. In February 2011, the parent body of the community held a 3-day retreat in which madaris from different parts of the world were represented. The theme was “Shaping the Institution of Madrasah to deliver knowledge, spirituality and morality to our future generations.” The challenges faced by the Madrasah were highlighted and possible solutions were debated. A global structure (Madrasah Centre of Excellence) was set up to provide focus and become a central place for Madaris to seek help and support in the running of their institutions. It would realise the vision by coordinating the four work streams.

The Curriculum Development work stream would provide a global curriculum framework that can be tailored to individual Madrasah needs. It would lead to standardisation because all Madrasah would use the framework of the same broad curriculum. The Teacher Training work stream would facilitate the provision of training to meet the training needs of the madrasah teachers. It would also create a body that represents Madrasah teachers globally, providing support and a forum for teachers to interact, share valuable experiences and learn. The Learning Resources work stream would provide a comprehensive resource centre for teachers, parents and students where resources can be shared globally encouraging development of new ideas and innovation. The Continuous Assessment & Evaluation work stream would create a learning environment for all where the students, teachers and institutions are assessed with a view to continually improve.

IRE in Swedish Muslim Schools

Dr.Jenny Berglund, PhD of the Department of Study of Religions, Södertörn University, Stockholm, Sweden, after giving a brief introduction about the Muslim population in Sweden, spoke about the Muslim school which is part of the “free-school system”. There are 54 Christian, 9 Muslim and 5 Jewish compulsory and 6 Christian Upper Secondary schools. In Sweden, Islamic Religious Education (IRE) is only taught at Muslim schools, within the compulsory school sector. There is no national syllabus for the subject, but instead all schools write their own syllabi. Since the Muslim schools, like all other schools in Sweden are state funded, they have to abide to the rules stated in the Educational Act. Despite these rules, Muslim schools and IRE in Sweden shows a wide variety in terms of organisation, content and outlook. In her short presentation, she presented an overview of how Swedish Muslim schools are organised and what distinguishes the different forms of IRE that is taught within them.

Dr. Jenny Berglund mentioned that Swedish Muslim Schools are fully governmental funding; they have to represent and impart “fundamental values”; have to follow the National Curriculum. They are also non-confessional RE; National Agency of Education controls; Possible to add Islam as extra curricular subject (IRE) and Islam as school ethos

While mentioning about the National Curriculum and “Fundamental Values”, Dr. Berglund said, values that all schools should represent and impart: The inviolability of human life; Individual freedom and integrity; The equal value of all people; Equality between women and men and Solidarity with the weak and vulnerable.

She also mentioned about the School Ethos which are: Morning gatherings; Celebration of Holidays; Dress-code and Halal-food. She also mentioned that there is Co-Education. No tradition of girls/boys schools in Sweden.

Islamic schooling in Austria and Germany

Elif Medeni of Halit Akpinar, University of Vienna, made her presentation on Islamic schooling in Austria/Germany. This paper of Elif Medeni gave a brief overview of Islamic schooling in Austria in the light of a pilot study undertaken in the wider context of a Ph.D. research. During the piloting phase of eight month, classroom observations, document analysis and semi-structured interviews with teachers and parents have been undertaken.

Islam was recognised as a religion in Austria in 1912. The Islam Law acknowledges the IGGiO as an umbrella organisation and representative of the Muslims and moreover guarantees Muslims to establish Islamic schools as well as to maintain Islamic Religious Education (IRE) in public state schools. Islamic Religious Education was introduced as a regular subject in 1982. Thus, Austria has the longest experience and tradition in Islamic Education in the public sphere among European countries. Despite this unique situation and long tradition of Islamic instruction in public schools, Muslim parents search for alternatives such as private schooling.

In contrast to other European countries Islamic schooling is at the very beginning in Austria. Currently, there are six Islamic private schools among the state-funded denominational schools. Although their reputation is discussed controversially in public, the few existing Islamic private schools are often preferred to public schools by some Muslim parents.

Islamic schools were ‘condemned’ to promote parallel societies; allegation of poor conditions, lack of trained teachers and a general lack of quality were raised, although Islamic teaching and denominational aspects in state-funded Islamic private schools are supervised by specialist inspectors of the Islamic Religious Community in Austria (IGGiO). Until now, there is no research undertaken on Islamic schooling.

Reflections on the experience of

Shakhsiyah schools in the UK

In this presentation Farah Ahmed looked at the experience of Shakhsiyah schools in developing alternative educational provision for Muslim children through briefly examining some “Principles of Shakhsiyah Education” and their organic growth and realization in Shakhsiyah schools. The principles are: Niyyah, Shakhsiyah, Qadwa, Halaqa, Minhaj al Diraasiyah, Balagha and Taqdeer.

Religious Education in Turkey:

recent policy developments

Professor Dr. Muhiddin Okumular made a presentation which focussed on the recent debate about the growing role of religious education in the Turkish educational system. Turkey has a rich experience in this regard. The different options in the religious education are tested as a compulsory, elective and not given. From 1982 to the present day religious culture and ethics courses are taught in schools as a compulsory. In 2012, the Government has realized major reforms of education systems and compulsory education has been turned into 12 years and formulated in the form of 4+4+4.

Two of the most important innovations by these reforms are the opening of Imam Hatip Middle schools (religious schools) and the increasing number of elective religious courses within the mainstream system. New elective courses are Quran, the Life of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and Basic Religious Knowledge. Within these new developments there is a strong possibility that minority religions such as Christianity and Judaism will also be taught. Professor Okumular critically examined these recent significant developments in the field of religious education in Turkey.

Parallel Workshops

The session Three was Parallel Workshops on Educational Leadership by Edris Khamissa; Islamic Curriculum and Educational Leadership by Basma. Elshayyal; Towards a Transformative Model of Islamic Educational Leadership by Imran H Khan Suddahaza and Teaching and Learning linked to Qur’an by Dr.Bill Gent

Contributions of the Scholars of the

Sub-continent to the Islamic Learning

Dr. Mozammel Haque

Knowing something is known the knowledge of that particular object, as for example, knowing an object ‘glass’ is the knowledge of that object ‘glass’. Similarly, Prophet peace be upon him said Allah the Almighty made five times prayer obligatory. So the knowing of this five times obligatory prayer is knowledge. But this knowing will turn into knowledge when it will be followed or when it will be acted upon. If one who has the knowledge of five times obligatory prayer and does not comply with or act upon it, then it means that knowledge is no knowledge at all.

Mufti Taqi Usmani was saying about knowledge while lecturing on the legacy of the scholars of the Sub-continent, particularly of Deoband. This reminds me of an incident. It was in late 50s of the last century. I would like to narrate that incident of a student of Deoband who graduated from that famous Islamic seminary. Just like this blessed month of Ramadan, that student, Maulana Ziaul Haque, my mother’s maternal grandfather, was praying Taraweeh behind a Hafezand then there was a lapse of a word in the recitation and Maulana Haque immediately corrected that. After the Taraweeh, the Hafez sahib asked Maulana Haque ‘you are not Hafez, how could you know a word was missing’. The Maulana replied, ‘I was following the meaning of what you were reciting.’ That was the depth of knowledge of a graduate from Deoband Islamic seminary.

Knowledge without action

Mufti Taqi Usmani argued that just having knowledge is not enough; it has to be in practice. He said, “Although I have knowledge, but because I am violating the principle that I know, I do not know. The knowledge of Shari’ah, the Fard, the Wajib, the Mustaheeb; this knowledge is not enough – try to observe, try to follow the Sunnah.”

After referring to Surah al-Baqarah where Allah has clearly pointed out the very important principle of knowledge referring to the Jews, Mufti Usmani argued, “Mere knowledge is not enough, unless it leads to some acts, attitudes and behaviour.”

Legacy of the Scholars of the Sub-continent

Justice Mufti Muhammad Taqi Usmani came from Pakistan to the United Kingdom recently. He came to a conference and book launch at the Edmonton Islamic Centre, Edmonton, London, on Saturday, 15^th of June, 2013.

Justice Mufti Muhammad Taqi Usmani is one of the leading contemporary scholars of today. After studying at Darul Uloom Karachi, Pakistan, the renowned institute established by his late father, Mufti Shafi Usmani, he has been teaching at the same institute over the last four decades and currently teaches Sahih al-Bukhari. Alongside his expertise in Islamic Law, Economics and Hadith, he has authored forty books in Arabic, Urdu and English on various topics.

Deoband – the Al-Azhar of India

Mufti Taqi Usmani mainly spoke on knowledge. But he begun by saying that the previous speakers discussed and introduced the great scholars of the Sub-continent, their services and accomplishments, different aspects of their accomplishments. Mufti Usmani also said that you have been listening about the services and accomplishments of the scholars of the Sub-continent, particularly the scholars of Deoband. He pointed out that people used to call Deoband – the great university – ‘the Al-Azhar of India’ in promoting and teaching of Islam.

Let me quote him about the Deoband Scholars from the preface of his book, “The Great Scholars of the Deoband Islamic Seminary” launched on 15 June, 2013, “The scholars of Deoband were blessed with the exemplary characteristics of the Companions and Successors; not only in their speech and writings, but also in their deeds and behaviour. This fact becomes all the more significant when it is considered that the example set by these scholars arises from the recent, rather than the more distant, past.”

Mufti Taqi Usmani said, “We are just referring to them (scholars of Deoband); we are not following them because they have not invented a new brand of Islam or a new sect or a different brand. We are praising them because these great people have presented Islamic knowledge. It is not exaggeration to say that we are here it is only because of the efforts of the scholars of the Indian sub-continent.”

While elaborating what he meant by saying what he said, Mufti Usmani mentioned, “Allah created mankind. The basic objective to send the Prophet (peace be upon him) is this: ‘We have revealed the Qur’an to you so that you may explain to people and so that they may ponder.’ Allah expressed, identified the explanation of the revelation given to the Prophet (peace be upon him) through Jibrael. Holy Qur’an was revealed in Arabic. The Arabs knew Arabic. They were eloquent poets. When the Holy Qur’an was revealed to them, to the Arabs; they did know them. What kind of explanation was required for those people? All the Sahabis, Companions-they were knowledgeable. They did not need any literal explanation. Still, Allah sent Prophet.”

“Prophet (peace be upon him) was sent to the people, to the Arabs, to explain more or above the literary meaning. The Prophet explained through his faith and through his Sunnah, the way, the path of the Prophet. The way the Prophet explained the Qur’an,” explained Mufti Usmani.

Shari’ah

Mufti Usmani then dealt with Shari’ah. Speaking about Shari’ah, he said, “Now Islamic Deen is composed of two things - Holy Qur’an and the Sunnah of the Prophet (peace be upon him). The Prophet said: ‘There will be a time when my Ummah will be divided into as many sects as 72. The question will be who will be right among those sects. The Prophet mentioned the criteria: The way one which I am and the way on which my Companions. But he did not mention a particular group or a particular sect.”

“The Prophet (peace be upon him) mentioned the criteria. But the Companions did not write book, nor compile book nor did give lecture at great length. But every Sahabi, Companion used to narrate what they have learnt from the Prophet. Tabeyeen, the companion of the Companion of the Prophet used to narrate what they have learnt from the Companion of the Prophet. So the knowledge of Shari’ahis transferred from generation to generation,” explained Mufti Usmani.

Knowledge

The point which Mufti Taqi Usmani wanted to make is knowledge. He said, “There are two different ways to acquire knowledge; to read from books; study and read without consulting any teacher or professor. It cannot give you expertise, skill. You cannot achieve a status – knowledgeable person.”

Mufti Usmani maintained, “Allah says the knowledge through this proper channel. We refer to the Ulema of the Indian Sub-continent or to these scholars of Deoband. It was based on the tradition of learning – Prophet, Companions, Shaykh Ahmad Zahed Kaushiri.”

Centre of Islamic learning

Then Mufti Taqi Usmani mentioned how the centre of learning changed throughout the centuries. He said, “Centre of Islamic learning have been shifting from place to place. First centre of Islamic learning was Madinah, Hejaz; then the time came when this centre shifted from Madinah to Syria; then the centre was transferred to Iraq, then the centre of Islamic learning transferred to Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and lastly now the centre has been transferred to the Sub-continent because the scholars of Indian Sub-continent have proved that no other country has parallel to them.”

Scholars of Deoband

“Scholars of Deoband had the very deep insight into the different aspects of Islamic learning. This is one of the reasons. Indian scholars have exalted in explaining the texts and the Sunnah,” argued Mufti Taqi Usmani and added, “The second reason, according to kausori, was that knowledge, although literary means to know; the real knowledge is when his action conformed to his knowledge.”

Knowledge without action

Mufti Taqi Usmani maintained that just having knowledge is not enough; it has to be in practice. He said, “Although I have knowledge, but because I am violating the principle that I know, I do not know. The knowledge of Shari’ah, the Fard, the Wajib, the Mustaheeb. This knowledge is not enough – try to observe, try to follow the Sunnah.”

Mufti Usmani said, “Majority of the scholars of the Indian sub-continent reflecting the true knowledge. They give full importance to follow the true Sunnahof the Prophet (peace be upon him). They had the deep knowledge of the discipline, they reflect their act.”

Official Book Launch

Great Scholars of the Deoband Islamic Seminary

Mufti Taqi Usmani gave the above lecture on the occasion of the official Book launch of “The Great Scholars of the Deoband Islamic Seminary” written by Mufti Taqi Usmani. The publisher, Taurah publishers & Ebrahim College, presented The Legacy of the Scholars of the Sub-continent incorporating the official Book launch.

Among the speakers at the Conference were Shaykh al-Islam Mufti Muhammad Taqi Usmani, Shaykh Shams Ad Duha spoke on ‘Lessons from India under the leadership of the Scholars of the Subcontinent”; Mufti Muhammad Ibn Adam al-Kawthari spoke on the ‘Contributions of the Scholars of the Subcontinent to the Science of Jurisprudence/Fiqh’; Mufti Abdur Rahman ibn Yusuf spoke on ‘Contributions of the Subcontinent Scholars to the Qur’anic Studies’; Shaykh Abu Yusuf Riyadh ul-Haq spoke on ‘Contributions of the Scholars of the Subcontinent to the Hadith Sciences;’ Shaykh Abdur Rahim Limbada spoke on the ‘Contributions of the Scholars of the Subcontinent to the Sciences of heart/Tazkiya.

Shaykh Abdur Rahman Ibn Yusuf

Shaykh Abdur Rahman ibn Yusuf spoke on the “Contributions of the Scholars of the Subcontinent to the Qur’an Sciences”. He mentioned about Shah Waliullah and his three sons and said, “They have done translation, Tafsir and Tajweed. Qur’an was written by Osmani script, it was without dots. There was no dot, just the letter. The Sub-continental scholars were dealing with that,” he said.

Shaykh Ibn Yusuf mentioned about the seven scholars of the Subcontinent who worked on the Qur’an and said, “Scholars of the Sub-continent was able to preserve the Qur’an. Maulana Taqi Usmani has the translation of the Qur’an in Urdu as well in English.”

Then Shaykh Ibn Yusuf mentioned about the six most authentic books of Hadiths. Muslims view these six major Hadith collections as the most important. Sahih Bukhari, Sahih Muslim, Sahih Abo Dawood, Tirmidhi, An-nasai and Ibn Majah.

“We have at least 15 major Fiqh collections in the Sub-continent. That rich heritage has to be brought to this country, England, great heritage into English language,” he said.

Shaykh Abu Yusuf Riyadh ul Haq

Shaykh Abu Yusuf Riyadh ul-Haq spoke on ‘Contributions of the Scholars of the Subcontinent to the Hadith Sciences.’ Shaykh Riyadh ul-Haq said, “How do we understand the Qur’an? To learn the Qur’an; to know the Qur’an through the Prophet (peace be upon him). He teaches the Book – the sacred duty that we find in the Sunnahand that Sunnah is contained in the Hadiths. And what is Hadith? Hadithis his (Prophet) utterances, his explicit approval, his manners, his eating etc.”

“Muslims have devoted themselves to the study of the Prophet (peace be upon him). What was the Khuluq? It is Prophet’s character, manners, conduct and personality. Ummehatul MumeneenHazrat Ayesha was asked about the Prophet, she said he is the Qur’an, the living embodiment of the Qur’an. One has to study the Qur’an, Hadith has that. To abandon the Hadith, one cannot understand the Fiqh (Islamic Jurisprudence). Hadith without the Prophet; impossible. That’s why, Hadith was always the focus of the Ulema,” he explained.

Shaykh Riyadh ul-Haq spoke at great length on the collection of the Hadiths. How the Companions of the Prophet (peace be upon him) travelled a long distance in order to collect, listen and search one word of Hadith. He mentioned how scholars from Spain in the third century travelled to Baghdad. They travelled from Cordova to Baghdad on foot – the whole North Africa.

“Hadithwas introduced in the very early days of the very beginning of Islam. Hadithis an integral part of Islam. Each century has unprecedented works on the commentary on Hadiths by the scholars of the Indian sub-continent. There are numerous commentaries,” said Shaykh Abu Yusuf Riyadh ul-Haq and added, “Scholars of the Subcontinent have made a remarkable contribution to the Hadiths through learning, preserving, memorizing and teaching.”

Shaykh Abdur Rahim Limbada

Shaykh Abdur Rahim Limbada spoke on the ‘Contributions of the Scholars of the Subcontinent to the Sciences of heart/Tazkiya/Spirituality.

Shaykh Abdur Rahim first defined Tasawwuf. According to him, “Tasawwufis to turn away from the world and turn towards Allah. Tasawwuf is the name of highest Adab– good behaviour.”

Abdur Rahim said, “Tasawwuf is the name of excel in Adab; Tasawwufis the preaching of Shari’ah in utmost throughout with sincerity. Tasawwuf is keeping lustful desires under control. Tasawwuf begins with correcting your intention; learn how to correct your intention; you should be sincere in your road to Tasawwuf; you are constantly remembering Allah, worship Allah as if you are seeing Him.

He enquired who is Sufi. And said, “Sufi is he whose heart is clean from all dirtiness; who detaches himself from creation and turns towards the Creator, to Allah. He is not concerned with Dunya.

Speaking about the good side of Tasawwuf, Shaykh Abdur Rahim said, “Humbleness, generosity, denouncing the pleasure of this world; loving Hereafter, Allah and His Prophet (peace be upon him). “

Ramadan Mubarak and

Ramadan Greetings 2013

Dr. Mozammel Haque

Ramadan Mubarak and Ramadan Greetings to all of you, especially to all the visitors and readers of Islamic Monitor blog: May this holy month bring barakah, and Allah's boundless mercy upon the believers and harmony and tolerance for the world.

This year Muslims almost everywhere welcome the coming of the month of Ramadan on the same day, on Wednesday, the 10^th of July, 2013. Saudi Arabia, the heartland of Islam, the country of the Two Holy Mosques, the birthplace of Prophet Peace be upon him, is performing Ramadan on Wednesday. The Supreme Judicial Council of Saudi Arabia called on all Muslims in the Kingdom to sight the crescent of the lunar month of Ramadan on July 8 (Monday) evening. But the lunar moon was not sighted at sunset Monday evening. So the holy month of Ramadan begins today, Wednesday, 10^th of July, 2013. The UAE, Kuwait, Oman, Egypt, Malaysia, Australia and Singapore also announced that Ramadan will begin on Wednesday.

Ramadan in Canada will start on Wednesday, 10^th of July, 2013. On behalf of the Muslim community of Ottawa-Gatineau, the Council of Imams of Ottawa-Gatineau (CIOG) extended its best wishes to all Canadians and the Muslims upon the arrival of the blessed month of Ramadan. As instructed by our beloved Rasool (SAW) to begin and end the fasting of the month of Ramadaan based on the actual sighting of the new moon, we are pleased to inform our community that there were no confirmed moon sighting reports on the eve of Monday July 8 (29 Sha’ban). Therefore we will complete 30 days of Sha’ban and 1st day of Ramadan will be Wednesday July 10, 2013 insha-Allah.

British Muslims welcome Ramadan: the month of discipline, compassion andsolidarity on Wednesday, 10^th of July 2013. British Muslims will join over a billion Muslims all over the world in a month of fasting, charity and solidarity. The Muslim Council of Britain (MCB), the umbrella organisation of the Muslim community of Britain, extended its warmest wishes to all for a blessed, spiritual and peaceful Ramadan, the MCB’s press release said. The governments of many countries issued Ramadan Message to Muslims in their countries and around the world (see below).

Ramadan Mubarak to You All

I welcome Ramadan, the month of Mercy and Repentance, the month of the Qur’an, of Laylatul Qadr (the Night of Power) and of repentance and forgiveness. Fasting in the month of Ramadan is one of the Pillars of the Islamic faith. It was declared an obligatory duty (Fard) in the second year of the Hijrah upon each and every mukallaf (one capable of carrying out religious duties, i.e. a sane adult).

Allah the Almighty made Ramadan fasting compulsory for Muslims. Allah said, “O those who believe, the fasts have been enjoined upon you as were enjoined upon those before so that you be God-fearing.’ [Surah Baqarah, 183]. Literally, Sawm means ‘to abstain’. In the terminology of Islamic law, Sawm means ‘to abstain from eating, drinking and sexual intercourse: with the conditions that one abstains continuously from dawn to sunset, and that there is an intention to fast.’ Therefore, should one eat or drink anything even a minute before sunset, the fast will not be valid. Similarly, if one abstained from all these things throughout the day but made no intention to fast, there will be no fast here too.

Allah the Almighty said in the Qur’an “…And eat and drink, until the white thread of dawn appears to you distinct from its black thread…” (Al-Qur’an, 2:187) Literally defined, fasting means to abstain “completely” from foods, drinks, intimate intercourse and smoking, before the break of the dawn till sunset, during the entire month of Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic year.

Fasting in Islam is based on the lunar calendar and is tied to the sightings of hilal, the crescent, or new moon. Allah the Almighty stated: “They ask you concerning the new moons. Say: They are but signs to mark fixed periods of time… (Al-Qur’an, 2:189). And the Traditions of the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Eat until you see the crescent and break not until you see the crescent. If it is cloudy calculate the period of the month.” (Muslim and others).

Fasting in Ramadan is compulsory upon every Muslim, male or female, who has these qualifications, e.g. mentally and physically fit, adult full of age which is normally fourteen and fairly certain that fasting is unlikely to cause any harm, physical or mental, other than the normal reactions to hunger, thirst etc.

The said qualifications exclude the following categories: children under the age of puberty and discretion; men and women who are too old and feeble to undertake the obligation of fast and bear its hardships; sick people whose health is likely to be severely affected by the observance of fast; travellers may break the fast temporarily during their travel; pregnant women and women breast-feeding their children may also break their fast and women in the period of menstruation (of a maximum of ten days or of confinement (of a maximum of forty days. They must postpone the fast till recovery and then make up for it.

The holy month of Ramadan is the month of mercy, forgiveness, and seeking release from the Hell-fire. It is the month of repentance and acceptance of prayers. It is the month when the devils are chained, the gates of Hell are looked and the gates of Paradise are opened. That’s why; Muslims welcome Ramadan each year with energy and happiness, and are saddened only when the month departs. Fasting is for the living, not for mourning.

Ramadan is a month of worship. Muslims should welcome the month with repentance and seeking Allah’s pardon. We should keep away from committing sins; worship Allah sincerely and spending the night and day in prayer, supplication and recitation of the Holy Qur’an.

Fasting is a shield which helps prevent many sins and with which Muslim protects himself from Hell-fire. Fasting is more than abstaining from food and drink. It also means to abstain from any falsehood in speech and action, from any ignorant and indecent speech, and from arguing and quarrelling. Therefore, fasting helps to develop good behaviour.

Fasting inculcates a sense of brotherhood and solidarity, as a Muslim feels and experiences what his needy and hungry brothers feel. This gives Muslim a new sense of togetherness and association.

Allah the Almighty said in the Qur’an: The month of Ramadan in which was revealed the Qur’an, a guidance for mankind, and clear proofs of the guidance, and the criterion (between right and wrong). (Surah Al-Baqarah 2: 185) As Ramadan is the month of the Qur’an, every Muslim should prepare himself to welcome the blessed month of Ramadan by strengthening his relationship with the Qur’an. A Muslim is encouraged to complete one recitation of the Holy Qur’an during Ramadan.

We should engage more and more in the recitation of the Qur’an, in dhikr (remembrance of Allah), perform extra Salah (ritual prayers) at night and renew identity with one another in our obedience to Allah.

RAMADAN MESSAGES FROM GOVERNMENTS

King Abdullah’s Ramadan Message

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah and Crown Prince Salman Bin Abdul Aziz, Deputy Premier and Minister of Defense, greeted the people of Saudi Arabia and Muslims around the world on the eve of the holy month of Ramadan.

In their Ramadan greetings, read out by Minister of Culture and Information Dr. Abdulaziz Khoja, the King and Crown Prince reiterated that the Kingdom would follow its moderate policy with full conscience about its responsibility and message toward the Muslim world and the entire humanity as well.

“As such, the Kingdom would never allow extremists as well as mischievous people to misuse religion as a garb to hide behind it in order to serve their own interests. These people are doing harm to the sublime image of Islam through their overt practices and wrong interpretations,” the statement said.

The King and the Crown Prince emphasized that Islam rejects division in the name of one ideology or the other.

British Prime Minister David Cameron’s

Message for Ramadan

The British Prime Minister has marked the start of the holy Islamic month of Ramadan, sending his warm wishes to Muslims in the UK and overseas. Prime Minister Cameron said, “As the holy month of Ramadan begins, I want to take this opportunity to send my warmest wishes to Muslims in Britain and across the world. During this hugely important time of prayer and fasting, we are reminded of the importance of charity and compassion. These are values and traditions at the heart of Islam but shared by those of all faiths in Britain.”

“So let me wish everyone peace, happiness and unity during this special time and say Ramadan Mubarak,” said Prime Minister David Cameron.

British deputy Prime Minister Nick

Clegg’s Ramadan Message

British Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg sent Ramadan Message to Muslims. He said, “Salaam alaykum. As Muslims during Ramadan around the world fast for self-discipline and improvement, Spend time in prayer and contemplation, and come together, united in a spirit of sacrifice, generosity and hope, I know the thoughts of many will turn, again to the suffering of the Syrian people.”

Deputy Prime Minister Clegg said, “The values of peace, empathy and charity are an essential part of this holy month of Ramadan. And evident within the invaluable contributions made by British Muslims to support and strengthen local communities across the UK. And this year I want to praise our Muslim communities for leading in a show of unity and support following the horrors of Woolwich.”

“Their committed voice for peace helps to make Britain the tolerant, open and wonderfully diverse country it is today. Ramadan Mubarak,” said deputy Prime Minister Clegg.

President Obama’s Ramadan

Message to Muslims

American President Barack Obama issued Ramadan Message on 8 July 2013, extending best wishes to Muslim communities in the United States and around the world. President Obama said, “With the start of the sacred month of Ramadan, Michelle and I extend our best wishes to Muslim communities here in the United States and around the world. For the world’s 1.5 billion Muslims, Ramadan is a time for thoughtful reflection, fasting and devotion. It is also an opportunity for family and friends to come together and celebrate the principles that bind people of different faiths – a commitment to peace, justice, equality and compassion towards our fellow human beings. These bonds are far stronger than the differences that too often drive us apart.”

President Obama said, “In the United States, Ramadan is a reminder that millions of Muslim Americans enrich our nation each day – serving in our government, leading scientific breakthroughs, generating jobs and caring for our neighbors in need. I have been honoured to host an iftar dinner at the White House each of the past four years, and this year I look forward to welcoming Muslim Americans who are contributing to our country as entrepreneurs, activists and artists.”

President Obama also said, “I wish Muslims across America and around the world a month blessed with the joys of family, peace and understanding. Ramadan Kareem.”

Divinity of the Qurán:

Read more and more The Qur’an

In its month of Revelation

Dr. Mozammel Haque

Allah revealed the Noble Qur'an, the Final revelation for all mankind of all times, to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) through angle Jibrael. The Qur'an is the greatest miracle given to Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). The Noble Qur’an was revealed in the month of Ramadan (Al-Qur’an, 97:1-3.). The Qur’an was sent down in the month of Ramadan on the Night of Power Lailatul Qadr. (Al-Qur’an, 91:1-3.).

The Qur’an represents the culmination of all other earlier Revealed Books. The Qur’an is the last of the Revealed Books. The Qur’an is the first religious book in the world, which requires the belief in other revelations, a part of its Faith. This Sacred Book was revealed to the last Messenger, Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) in the month of Ramadan. Allah Himself said in the Qur’an: “Ramadan is the (month) in which was sent down the Qur’an, as a guide to Mankind, also clear (Signs) for guidance and judgment (between right and wrong).” (2:185). Allah the Most High has especially mentioned the exact date and month of the revelation: “We have indeed revealed This (Message) in the Night of Power.” (97:1) So the purpose of the revelation of the Qur’an was for guidance of Mankind.

The Qur’an is emphatic in proclaiming that Islam is the religion of Jesus, Moses, Abraham (peace be upon them all) and the Prophets Jesus and Moses were not Jews but Muslims. "Surely those who believe (in that which is revealed to Muhammad peace be upon him) and those who are Jews, and the Christians, and the Sabaeans – whoever believes in Allah, and the Last Day and does good, surely their reward is with their Lord, and there is no fear for them nor shall they grieve."(2:62). "A Guidance for mankind and clear proofs for the guidance and judgement (between right and wrong)." This is the most important characteristic of the Qur’an, the Book that Allah has revealed in the month of Ramadan. It is guidance for mankind. It is clear proof, clear proof of guidance and of judgement.

Divinity of the Qur’an

The Noble Qur’an is the heart and soul of Islam, the Wisdom of God. It is the Word of Allah, the Kalamullah. The Qur'an is the concrete tangible Word of God. It identifies itself to us and tells us that God is its Author, as God tells us: "God Most Gracious has taught the Qur'an.” (55:1-2).

The disbelievers used to allege that it was "Tales of the animals, which he (Muhammad) has written down and they are dictated to him morning and afternoon.” 25:5). The wicked persons went on ceaselessly putting on peoples' ears that the Qur'an was not a true revelation: "This (the Qur'an) is nothing but a lie that he (Muhammad) has invented, and others have helped him at it.”(25:4) They claimed: "It is only a human being who teaches him.”(16:103); they also raised many other baseless and superficial objections.

Allah challenged the disbelievers in various parts of the Qur'an. “And if you (Arab pagans, Jews, and Christians) are in doubt concerning that which We have sent down (i.e. the Qur'an) to Our servant (Muhammad, peace be upon him), then produce a Surah (chapter) of the like thereof and call your witnesses (supporters and helpers) besides Allah, if you are truthful. But if you do it not, and you can never do it, then fear the Fire (Hell) whose fuel is men and stones, prepared for the disbelievers.”(2: 23-24)

Allah also said in SurahAl-Qasas, "Say (to them, O Muhammad, pbuh): Then bring a Book from Allah, which is a better guide than these two (the Torah and the Qur'an), that I may follow it, if you are truthful.” (28:49)

Allah said in Surah Al-Isra, "Say: If Mankind and the Jinn were together to produce the like of the Qur'an, they could not produce the like thereof, even if they helped one another.” (17:88)

Allah again said in Surah Hud, "Or they say, "He (Prophet Muhammad, pbuh) forged it (the Qur'an). "Say: "Bring you then ten forged Surahs (chapters) like it, and call whatsoever you can, other than Allah (to your help), if you speak the truth.” (11:13)

In Surah Yunus, Allah challenged, "And this Qur'an is not such as could ever be produced by other than Allah (Lord of the heavens and the earth), but it is a confirmation of (the revelation) which was before it (i.e. the Torah and the Injil), and a full explanation of the Book (i.e. Laws decreed for mankind) - wherein there is no doubt - from the Lord of all that exists. Or do they say: "He (Muhammad - peace be upon him) has forged it?” Say: "Bring then a Surah (chapter) like it, and call upon whomsoever you can besides Allah, if you are truthful.” (10:37-38)

Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) stated that among the Prophets he was given a revelation, meaning, he was especially entrusted with the miraculous Qur'an that challenged mankind to produce something similar to it. The Qur'an is the greatest miracle given to the Prophet (pbuh). The Two Sahihs record that Abu Hurayrah said that the Prophet (pbuh) said, "Every Prophet was given a miracle, the type of which brings mankind to faith. What I was given is a revelation that Allah sent down to me. Yet, I hope that I will have the most following on the Day of Resurrection.” (Fath Al-Bari 8:619 and Muslim1:134).

The life of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) is a historical event, a part of history. Every smallest detail of his life was recorded. It is a known fact that the Qur'an is not written by him, but rather revealed by Allah through His angle Jibrael. Angle Jibrael used to come to him with revelation. This fact of coming of Angel Jibrael with revelation was certified by no less a person than a very wise man of the time.

Aishah narrated an account of Prophet's first revelation, "Prophet was trembling with fear. At this stage, he came back to his wife Khadijah and said, "Cover me! Cover me!” They covered him until he restored security. He informed Khadijah of the incident of the Cave and added that he was frightened. His wife tried to soothe him and reassured him saying, “Allah will never disgrace you. You unite uterine relations. You bear the burden of the weak; you help the poor and the needy. You entertain the guests and endure hardships in the path of truthfulness.”

She took the Prophet (pbuh) to her cousin Waraqah bin Asad bin Abdul-uzzah, who had embraced Christianity in the pre-Islamic period, and a scholar with good knowledge of Arabic, Hebrew and the Bible. He was an old blind man. Khadijah said, "My cousin! Listen to your nephew!” Waraqah said, "O my nephew! What did you see?” Allah's Messenger told him what happened to him. Waraqah replied, "This is Namus,” i.e. (the Angel who is entrusted with Divine Secrets) that Allah sent to Moses. I wish I were younger. I wish I could live up to the time when your people would turn you out.” Muhammad asked, "Will they drive me out?” Waraqah answered in the affirmative and said, "Anyone who came with something similar to what you have brought was treated with hostility; and if I should be alive till that day, then I would support you strongly.”

This hadith is related in both of the two most authentic collections of the Prophet's traditions prepared by al-Bukhari and Muslim, and also related by Imam Ahmad in his collection.

This angel Jibrael used to visit Allah's messenger sometimes in the form of human being and speak to him directly. This would enable him to fully understand what the angel said. The Angel was sometimes seen in the form of one of the Prophet's companions.

When there was no revelation coming from Allah for few days, the Prophet (pbuh) became depressed and worried. Ibn Sa'd narrated on the authority of Ibn Abbas that the Revelation paused for a few days. The Prophet was caught in a sort of depression coupled with astonishment and confusion. In the Book of Dreams, Al-Bukhari recorded that the Divine inspiration paused for a while and the Prophet became so sad, as we have heard, that he intended several times to throw himself from the tops of high mountains. Every time he went up the top of a mountain in order to throw himself down, Jibrael would appear before him and say, "O Muhammad! You are indeed Allah's Messenger in truth,” whereupon his heart would become quiet and he would calm down and return home.

Even a layman can find the difference between the language and linguistic style of the Noble Qurán, the Kalamullah and the Hadith, the traditions of the Prophet.

Read more and more the Qur’an

In its month of revelation

It is the month of Ramadan that Allah has honoured by revealing the Qur’an. Because of this strong relation between the Qur’an and the month of Ramadan, Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) used to read the Qur’an to Archangel Jibreel every Ramadan. I think this is the right place to discuss the purpose and objective of the revelation of the Qur’an, its importance, the campaigns against it and the do’s and don’ts of the Qur’an.

First of all, Allah the Most High, created mankind and gave him the gift of expression. For the guidance of mankind Allah sent Prophets (peace be upon them all) to every single community. In the words of the Qur’an, "There has been no community to which God’s messengers have not come" and "Muslims should make no distinctions between them." So it is the duty of a Muslim to honour all the prophets equally. The Qur’an represents the culmination of all other earlier Revealed Books. The Qur’an is the last of the Revealed Books.

Before the revelation of the Qur’an, it was preserved and guarded from corruption in the "Mother of the Book". Allah Himself said: "Nay this is a Glorious Qur’an (inscribed) in a Tablet Preserved" (85:21-22). When Allah wanted to give this Trust to someone, the Heavens, the Earth, and the Mountains, i.e. other creatures of Allah, besides man, refused to undertake this Trust or responsibility. They preferred to submit their will entirely to Allah’s Will, which is All-Wise and Perfect, and which would give them far more happiness than a faculty of choice, with their imperfect knowledge. Allah says in the Qur’an: "We did indeed offer the Trust to the Heavens and the Earth and the Mountains; but they refused to undertake it, being afraid thereof: but man undertook it: He was indeed unjust and foolish." (33-72).

So it is the human beings who took the responsibility of the Trust without realising its importance. This Sacred Book was revealed to the last Messenger Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) in the month of Ramadan. The Qur’an is the revealed book of God which has been in existence for more than four hundred years and the Word of Allah is available in its original form. There has not been an iota of change in this unique historic record. Its originality and authenticity has been guaranteed by no other than Allah the Almighty who challenges in the Qur’an itself.

As mentioned earlier, Allah said, "This Qur’an is not such as can be produced by other than Allah: on the contrary it is a confirmation of (revelation) that went before it, and a fuller explanation of the Book - wherein there is no doubt – from the Lord of the Worlds." (10:37). In another verse of the Qur’an Allah challenges, "Or do they say, "He forged it?" Say: "Bring then a Surah like unto it; and call (to your aid) anyone who can, beside Allah if it be you speak the truth!" (10:38). "Or they may say, "He forged it." Say, "Bring you then ten Suras forged, like unto it, and call (to your aid) whomsoever you can, other than Allah! – if you speak the truth!" (11:13).

Allah said in the Qur’an, "And if you are in doubt as to what We have revealed from time to time to Our servant then produce a Sura like thereunto, and call your witness and helpers (if there are any) besides Allah, if you are truthful." (2:23) Allah places many verses before you. Can you produce one like it?

The world is challenged to produce a Book like it and has not produced one. It is the only Revealed Book whose text stands pure and uncorrupted today. Allah said, "Say: "if the whole of mankind and jinns were to gather together to produce the like of this Qur’an, they could not produce the like thereof, even if they backed up each other with help and support." (17:88)

Since the revelation of the Qur’an, the enemies of Islam have been trying to distort it. Firstly, they said, it is not revelation, it is written by Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). Then they started attacking its authenticity and originality. In spite of their conspiracy, the Qur’an has been preserved in its original form.

The Qur’an is the only Book in the world which has remained for the past fourteen centuries pure without any interpolation or change and will remain so till the Last Day as Allah has guaranteed its purity. (15:9).

Purity, preservation and propagation of the Qur’an

The purity, preservation and propagation of the Qur’an were maintained by two methods: memorization of Qur’an in Qur’anic schools and the recitation of the complete Qur’an in Ramadan. In the month of Ramadan every year the Noble Prophet (peace be upon him) was asked by Archangel Jibreel to recite the whole of it twice. It was a Muzakira between the two. Abu Huraira reported that Jibreel used to repeat the recitation of the Qur’an with the Prophet once a year, but he repeated it twice with him in the year the Prophet (peace be upon him) passed away. The Qur’an was recited in the Taraweehfor the first time during the era of Caliph Omar.

So far as the memorization of the Qur’an in Qur’anic schools is concerned, many Huffaz and Islamic scholars have been killed in different parts of the world at different times. But still there is no dearth of Islamic scholars who can recite the complete Qur’an from memory. Severe campaigns have been launched against the Qur’anic schools, which teach the study, recitation and memorization of the Qur’an. The Qur’an is the main Book of the Muslims; it is the duty of the Muslims to learn Qur’an, which contains their code of life and ethical values whose benefits have been experienced by mankind throughout the ages.

I have already mentioned the objective and importance of the Qur’an and how its originality and purity have been maintained. Our Prophet (pbuh) and his Companions dedicated their days and nights for worship. Their lives revolved completely around the Book of Allah, the Qur’an, reciting it in and out of Salah.

The Qur’an is the basis of the religion of Islam, and on the preservation and propagation of the Qur’an depends the very existence of this Faith. Hence the virtue of learning and teaching the Qur’an is self-evident and does not need further elucidation. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “The best amongst you is he who learns the Qur’an and teaches it.” (Bukhari, Daud and Tirmidhi).

A great Islamic scholar wrote in his book entitled Toward Understanding of the Qur’an: “The present arrangement of the Qur'an is not the work of later generations, but was made by the Prophet under God's direction. Whenever a Surah was revealed, the Prophet summoned his scribes, to whom he carefully dictated its contents, and instructed them where to place it in relation to the other Surahs. The Prophet followed the same order of Surahs and verses when reciting during ritual Prayer as on other occasions, and his Companions followed the same practice in memorizing the Qur'an. It is therefore a historical fact that the collection of the Qur'an came to an end on the very day that its revelation ceased. The One who was responsible for its revelation was also the One who fixed its arrangement. The one whose heart was the receptacle of the Qur'an was also responsible for arranging its sequence. This was far too important and too delicate a matter for anyone else to dare to become involved in.”

“Not even the most skeptical person has any reason to doubt that the Qur'an as we know it today is identical with the Qur'an which Muhammad (peace be on him) set before the world; this is an unquestionable, objective, historical fact, and there is nothing in human history on which the evidence is so overwhelmingly strong and conclusive. To doubt the authenticity of the Qur'an is like doubting the existence of the Roman Empire, the Mughals of India, or Napoleon! To doubt historical facts like these is a sign of stark ignorance, not a mark of erudition and scholarships,” he added.

The Last 10 days and nights of Ramadan

Seek the Greatest Night of the Year

Dr. Mozammel Haque

I still remember my childhood when an old man of 70 years, Abdul Jabbar, used to come from the district of Faridpur (now in Bangladesh) took the silent alleys of our village in the night, chanting and calling, to wake up Muslims for the last meal before another day of Ramadan fasting begins. Abdul Jabbar reminds one of a character from the book The Thousands and One Nights. He is a strange person who comes out from the depth of the night to disturb the quietness by a shrill cry calling, Suhuoor…Suhoor.

Now that person is replaced in a big city like London by Muslim Community Radio (MCR) – Ramadan Radio – in East London, Kismat Radio and Islam TV Channel and now BBC is added to the list in 2013, calling Muslims to wake up for their breakfast. In Ramadan, all Muslims who want to fast should eat before starting to fast.

The Month of Mercy, the blessed month came and is passing away very fast. Today, Sunday, is the 19^thof Ramadan. When the paper will be published, two-third of the blessed month has passed; still there is time to get our sins cleared, still there is time to ask for forgiveness from Allah the Almighty who is ready to forgive our sins. The remaining days and nights of the blessed month is full of Allah’s mercy and blessing. In this part of the month, specially during the last 10 days and nights, a night which is the greatest night of the year, the Lailatul Qadr. During these ten days and nights, Muslims spend in the Mosque for I’tikaf.

I'tikaf

I’tikaf means seclusion and staying in the Mosque with the intention of becoming closer to Allah. The Prophet (peace be upon him) would perform I’tikaf for last 10 days every Ramadan. In the year that he died, he performed it for twenty days. (Related by Al-Bukhari, Abu Dawud,and Ibn-Majah). The next Friday on 2^nd of August (24 Ramadan) will be the Jumatul-Widah, the last Friday of the Blessed Month of Ramadan.

As the month of blessings and mercy is coming to the end, similarly the recitation of the complete Qur’an is also coming to the Khatam which might be on the 29^thnight of Ramadan. The last ten nights are very important nights. Ayesha (may Allah be pleased with her) said that the Prophet (peace be upon him) used to exert himself in night prayer especially during the last 10 days of Ramadan.

Lailatul Qadr (The Night of Decree)

Lailatul-Qadr is the greatest night of the year like the Day of Arafah is the greatest day of the year. It is a night about which Allah revealed a full Surah, Suratul-Qadr (97:1-5) and the 3^rd to the 6^th verses of the Surat ad-Dukhan (44:3-6). Allah the Almighty said in the Qur’an, “Indeed We have revealed it (Qur’an) in the Night of Decree. And what will explain to you what the Night of Decree is? The Night of Decree is better than a thousand months. Therein descends the Angels and the Spirit (Jibreel) by Allah’s permission, on every errand: (they say) “Peace” (continuously) till the rise of morning!” (97:1-5). A person who misses Lailatul Qadr is really a deprived person!

Abu Hurairah reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “The blessed month has come to you. Allah has made fasting during it obligatory upon you. During it the gates to Paradise are opened and the gates of Hellfire are locked, and the devils are chained. There is a night (during this month) which is better than a thousand months. Whoever is deprived of its good is really deprived (of something great). (Ahmad, an-Nisai and al-Bayhaqi).

Aishah said, “Allah’s Messenger used to practice I’tikaf in the last ten nights and say: ‘Seek out Lailatul-Qadr in the (odd nights) of the last ten days of Ramadan.” (Bukhari and Muslim).

Zakah

The word Zakat in Arabic means purification. The giving of Zakat (obligatory charity) is the third pillar of Islam. There are two types of Zakat: Zakat-ul-Fitr (charity of Eid-ul-Fitr, given to the poor before Eid prayer) and Zakat Al-Maal(purifying charity, paid on one’s wealth).

It is to be noted that Zakat-ul-Fitr was declared by the Prophet (peace be upon him) as a prerequisite for the acceptance of fasting. But when and whom to pay Zakat-ul-Fitr?First of all, who has to pay? Each and every Muslim, regardless of his social status, is required to give a certain amount of charity usually in the form of food grains, barley, raisin etc. called Zakat-ul-Fitr at the end of Ramadan and before the Eid-ul-Fitr so that every member of the Muslim community, especially the poor, have something to eat on the day of Eid. It is meant to cement the relationship between the members of the Muslim society, to alleviate the pain of the poor, to cultivate the sense of brotherhood and solidarity in the hearts of the Muslims, etc., said Sheikh Yusuf Al-Qaradawi.

Dr. Qaradawi also said, “If a person dies before Maghrib on the last day of Ramadan, Zakat-ul-Fitrwould not be obligatory upon him even if he fasted all the other days of the month. Conversely, if a child is born after Maghrib on the last day of Ramadan, i.e. the first night of Shawwal, it would be obligatory to pay Zakat: Zakat-ul-Fitr on his or her behalf. This view is unanimously agreed upon by Muslim scholars.” The head of the household must pay for every member of the family, even for the newborn. The Muslim is supposed to pay Zakat-ul-Fitr (i.e., Zakah of breaking the fast) in the country where he or she spends the first night of the month of Shawwal.

So far as the Zakat-ul-Maalis concerned, it is also obligatory for a Muslim, who possesses the minimum wealth on which Zakat is applicable, to give out Zakat. In his Friday sermon at the Grand Mosque in Makkah al-Mukarramah, Imam and Khateeb Sheikh Dr. Saleh Bin Mohammad Aal-Talib, urged Muslims to be God-Conscious and give charity to the poor and the needy. He said Zakat removes miserliness and cleans the heart from cruelty.

Allah has stressed on payment of Zakat, which appears in the Holy Qur’an more than 30 times. There are many verses of the Holy Qur’an and sayings of the Prophet (peace be upon him) that urge Muslim to give charity for the sake of Allah. Sheikh Aal-Talib said charity is an act that attracts Allah’s mercy. He said giving charity secretly extinguishes God’s anger and it is a blessing for the person’s wealth. A person who does not give in charity will be punished by removal of the blessing (barakah) from his wealth.

Zakat-ul-Fitr is associated with the Eid and is meant to create happiness in such a way that includes the poor and the needy. That is why the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Make them (i.e., the poor) rich on this day (i.e. the day of Eid)”.

Charity in Ramadan

About charity and spending from the wealth in the Way of Allah or for the Cause of Allah, Allah the Almighty said in the Qur’an, “The likeness of those who spend their wealth in the Way of Allah, is as the likeness of a grain (of corn); it grows seven ears, and each ear has a hundred grains. Allah gives manifold increase to whom He wills. And Allah is Al-Sufficient for His creatures’ needs, All-Knower.” (Al-Qur’an, 2:261).

Allah also said, “Those who spend their wealth in the Cause of Allah, and do not follow up their gifts with reminders of their generosity or with injury, their reward is with their Lord. On them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve.” (Al-Qur’an: 2: 262)

Ramadan is also the month of charity. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, “...Whoever draws nearer (to Allah) by performing any of the (optional) good deeds in (this month), shall receive the same reward as performing an obligatory deed at any other time; and whoever performs an obligatory deed in (this month), shall receive the reward of performing seventy obligations at any other time. It is the month of patience, and the reward of patience is Paradise. It is the month of charity, and a month in which a believer’s sustenance is increased. Whoever gives food to a fasting person to break his fast shall have his sins forgiven, and he will be saved from the Hell-Fire, and he shall have the same reward as the fasting person, without his reward being diminished at all.” (Reported by Ibn Khuzaymah)

Spend more time with the Qur’an. Read the Qur’an every day. Try to finish at least one time the whole Qur’an during this month by your own personal reading. Pray on time and observe all the prayers. Do not ignore the Tarawih. Make more extra and voluntary prayers. Do as much worship as you can. Do more dhikr (remembering Allah) and du’a (supplication) for yourself and for others. Repent and seek forgiveness for yourself and for others as much as you can. This is the best time for devotion and seeking Allah’s forgiveness. Seek the Night of Qadr by special devotion during the last 10 nights of this month.

The month of blessing and forgiveness is passing away very quickly. Do not miss the remaining last ten days and nights. Let us clear our sins. Let us seek the Night of Qadr.

To be a strong good Muslim

Dr. Mozammel Haque

The blessed month is approaching to the end; only a few days and nights remain. Today is Wednesday, 22 Ramadan corresponding to 31 July, 2013. The last ten days and nights have already started; last Monday after Maghreb started the first night of the last ten nights of the Ramadan. Still there are few more nights and days of the last ten days and nights of Ramadan. We have to avail of this opportunity; we should not abandon it to any other things. Scholars of the earlier generations used to leave everything, everything of knowledge and reading and concentrate on the Glorious Qur’an. So please

Last Friday, Professor Dr. Ahmad ibn Saifuddin Turkistani, Director, Department of Cultural Affairs, Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia, Cultural Bureau at London, gave a pre-Khutba lecture at a Mosque in London where he said, “This is one of the days that we are so much happy to live, to observe. Today is Friday and Friday is the best day the Sun has ever risen on and today is one of the day of the month of Ramadan. Ramadan is the master of the months. This is a month of blessings, favours on us. We should be thankful to Allah the Almighty for what he has given us. We are many others deprived of not enjoying the mercy of the month of Ramadan. So Alhamdolillah. Alhamdolillah, Alhamdolillah.”

In this connection, he mentioned, “We struggle and we face challenges and we face obstacles in our lives, whether this is in relation to our earnings, to our social relations, to our living conditions, to our health, to our family and so on and so forth and at the same time we need to be strong Muslim. We have the desire to be good; to be if can ideal Muslim.”

To be a Good Muslim

Professor Turkistani gave a formula to be a good Muslim. He said, “It is possible by the Grace of Allah, to be a good Muslim. It is not difficult, it is not impossible and it is not unachievable. We can do it by the Grace of Allah. How do we do that; how do we become good Muslims committed to the cause of Islam, committed to our community, to our family, to our work and at the same time, seeking the Hereafter, knowing that one day we are departing this world and meeting what we have done in this world. That is a real challenge. And this is after all the purpose of our creation. Sometime we tend to forget that we are created for the worship of Allah; sometimes we think that we are created to be engineers, to be professionals in any particular jobs, to be students, to be family-oriented people and so on and so forth.”

“But the point is we shall not miss the real purpose of creation. Let me try and give you some formula today as how we can approach this objective reaching to the point where we need to balance or commitment to our deen and our responsibilities and in our worldly affairs.

First Formula: Full confidence in Allah

First, we need to have full confidence in Allah the Almighty. Don’t people believe in Allah? Yes they believe in His existence, Glory be to Him. They believe in His Power, in His Wisdom, in His Knowledge, yet they have not observed this fully in their heart. That’s why, Allah the Almighty reminds us saying, “O you who believe, believe in Allah. How could we believe in Allah? Prophet peace be upon him said, renew your faith, say often La ilaha Illallah.Why do we say La ilaha Illallah? We know La ilaha Illallah is the base of our faith. There is no deity worthy of worship except Allah. This is the meaning of La ilaha Illallah. There is no God with a capital G worthy of worship except Allah Subhanahu wa Taala. The Creator, the Charger, Sustainer of this world.”

Belief and faith in Allah

Professor Turkistani mentioned, “To have that faith strongly instil in your heart as the foundation of your Imaan to build on it. Because you cannot fulfil the job of worship of Allah Subhanahu wa Taala unless you have a solid foundation and the solid foundation is this belief. Solid confidence, absolute confidence and belief and faith in Allah Subhanahu wa Taala. So this is the most important and this is the base and which the building of our works stands on. You can not build your life on a shaky foundation; has to be strong deep in earth; and that is, your heart. It has to be deep inside your heart.”

“How could we do it?” enquired Professor Turkistani and immediately answered, “It is a struggle; yes, we know Alhamdo Lillah, many of us who raised in Muslim families, or even for those who accepted Islam coming from another way of life. They know that Islam is the Truth; Islam is the Ultimate Truth and we know Allah Subhanahu wa Taala is there, directing everything in our lives but then how strong that belief is. This is the challenge but it can be raised because Imaan as you know increases and decreases. It increases with good deeds and decreases with bad deeds. The more good you do the better your imaan will be and the more sins and wrong doings you commit the less imaan you have mantle, they go to shallow and sometimes there is no imaan; when there is no commitment to the deen.”

“Some people when you see them and advise them to be good Muslims, they say well Allah has not guided me yet. But how do you expect Allah to guide you when you are not coming forward. See the point is you should come forward to Allah. Those who struggle in our cause we lead them to our way. This Allah was saying. So that’s the first element and component of the formula I am presenting today,” argued Professor Turkistani. .

Second element is knowledge

Professor Turkistani then explained the second element of his formula to be a strong good Muslim. He said, “The second element is that we have to have knowledge, we can not be just imitating what our forefathers have done or were doing on their lifetime. We are not saying that our ancestors did and did and did and we are just following the same way. But rather we have to base everything we do on a solid foundation of knowledge. And the knowledge is in the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of the Prophet peace be upon him. It is so essential and we cannot do that knowledge; because Allah Subhanahu wa Taala says in the last Ayah of the Sura Kahaf, if you want to meet Allah Subhanahu wa Taala, your Rab, meaning to see Him in person, with your own eyes and enjoy the meeting of Allah Subhanahu wa Taala; because non-believers are deprived of seeing Allah Subhanahu wa Taala. They will not have the privilege to see Allah and to enjoy looking at Him Subhanahu wa Taala. If you want to meet Allah when He is so pleased with you then you have to do righteous deeds.”

Professor Turkistani again raised the question How do we know these deeds are righteous? And replied immediately saying, “We do not know unless we do have the evidence from the Qur’an and the Sunnah that this is right. This is important. Knowledge of everything. Islam and faith is not just a tradition. It is not just something we do out of habit or habitual practice; it is something that we do out of knowledge and full understanding of where we stand. This is important. Don’t engage in anything unless you know the evidence; there has an evidence from the Qur’an and the Sunnah. In other words, I do my own worships and I know that when I do my worships, I do the Salah as the Prophet peace be upon him told me to do, I do the Siyam as the Prophet peace be upon him told me to do; I do the Hajj and the Zakah and every actions I do I base it and how the Prophet peace be upon him told us to do. He said, ‘Pray as you have seen me to pray’”. And he said in Hajj, ‘take your rites of Hajj from me’”.

Salah

Speaking about the third element of the Formula, Professor Turkistani said, “Thirdly, if I am committed to the deen, then after the Shahadah, the most important pillar of Islam is what? Salah. Salah namaz or prayer is the connection between you and Allah. If there is no Salah, then there is no connection; just as simple as that. Some Muslims say Masallah, I am a Muslims; but when it comes to Salah, they are shaky, they pray whenever possible; they pray when the environment is suitable as they think; and if they cannot do it in their office, they will do it later; if they sleep when they wake and so on and so forth. No; Salah is a commitment and it is a connection; because if you are not connected how would you have power. If this mike is not connected to the electricity; will it produce a sound? Amplify the sound as we like it to be? There is no source of energy if we do not pray; this is the source of energy for our faith and the first thing is Salah. Prophet peace be upon him advised his Ummah in the last moment of his life to do Salah and to be kind to anyone who is working with you. The last advice he gave to the Muslims before he left this world, because one is connecting with Allah and the other one is connecting with people. To have kind and have a strong relationship with Allah and that is the way to uplift yourself. If you have a connection with other people, then you have the kindnesses and you want to have in relation to people. So that is a third element.”

Professor Turkistani argued, “Salah has to be done in the right time and in the right way. We cannot have it just because we need to do pray, we need to do some wudu quickly stand up and just do some actions, just going out without having a Salah entering inside our hearts. Hopefully our imaan increasing that imaan; unless we have it, the salah then is not doing it job. Yes, we may pray. Prophet peace be upon him says, ‘Two people may be praying at the same time beside each other; one is having a four rewards and the one is having a very little reward. The reason is depending on how they pray. How they function in their Salah. Yes,we need to pray but how do we pray; in what way and how committed are we in our Salah when we do that. This is important.”

“We need to pay more attention towards our Salah and not to be forgetful. Allah Subhanahu wa Taala warned and threatened to some people who pray. They are praying and they are being threatened. Yes, weil is a valley in a hell-fire. Because they are so forgetful in their Salah.They pray one day, They just only show off. And they deprived their neighbours of the little things they were asking to do and they are not being kind to their neighbours. That is the third element.”

Professor Turkistani said about the fourth element of the Formula. He said, “The fourth element in our formula to be a strong and good Muslim is to be connected with the Glorious Qur’an. What is the best advice from Allah Subhanahu wa Taala. It is the Glorious Qur’an, is not it? The Glorious Qur’an is the last and final revelation that came to the best of Prophets Muhammad peace be upon him. We are honoured as the last Ummah to receive this revelation. And this revelation was revealed in the month of Ramadan. In fact, in the last ten days of Ramadan. All of the Books of Allah Subhanahu wa Taala was revealed in the month of Ramadan, according to the Hadith. All other Books, the Torah, the Injil, At-Jabur, soho Ibrahim, soho Moosa, and the Glorious Quran. All these realeased in the month of Ramadan. The last of which is the Glorious Qur’an.”

Connection with the Qur’an

Professor Turkistani enquired ‘How strong we are with the Glorious Qur’an?’ and said, “Alhamdo Lillah, Some people will say in this month, Alhamdo Lillah I have read the Qur’an once, twice, three times more. Alhamdo Lillah. This is nice; but the Qur’an needs to be there everyday in our lives; in fact, as much as you can. You need to recite the Glorious Qur’an during the hours of the night and in the morning and in the evening. Sometimes you would be wandering to ride the train and we see people listening to music, wondering on the faces of others, reading all these times the advertisements in the train rather than picking up a copy of the Qur’an in your own mobile, hard copy of the Qur’an and read or even read whatever you have memorised the Glorious Qur’an. This is energising your hearts. It will connect you, it will charge your imaan. The more connected with the Qur’an you are the more charged your imaan is. Because this is the word of Allah after all. And beyond that, Qur’an is not revealed only to be read, even something beyond that. “

Professor Turkistani continued, “Our relation with the Qur’an should be based on four levels, the first level is to read it; the second level is to memorise it, if we can; the third level is to ponder on it, is to think and ponder and use your mind and intellect to interact with the Qur’an. What is it mean? Look at in the Tafseer or in the interpretation of the Qur’an. What Allah means by this? And then the fourth level is implementation; because Allah Subhanahu wa Taala says I know I am addressed to that; because I am from. I should be aware that I will not be from the Kafirs, so I will not be guided; so on and so forth.”

Professor Turkistani mentioned about the last ten days and nights of Ramadan and said, “Now the last ten days of the month of Ramadan are approaching and Monday night we will be having them, the first night of the last ten days of the Ramadan. They could be even nine days based on the observations of the crescent and then on the month of Ramadan will be gone. “

“What are we putting inside the month of Ramadan in order to be folded and taken to Allah Subhanahu wa Taala with all its richness of works and connections through the Glorious Qur’an. So please do not abandon the Qur’an; do not abandon the reading, the memorisation as much as you can and the thinking, interpretation and understanding Qur’an and then the practice of the Qur’an. When Ayesha was asked about the manner of the Prophet peace be upon him, good manners, Aqlakh, What is the great manner of the Prophet peace be upon him. She said, it is the Glorious Qur’an. she We should be so much engaged with the Qur’an.”

What to do toward the end of the

month of Ramadan

Dr. Mozammel Haque

The blessed month is approaching to the end; only a few days and nights remain. Today is Sunday, 26 Ramadan corresponding to 4^th of August, 2013. The last ten days and nights have already started; last Monday after Maghreb started the first night of the last ten nights of Ramadan. Still there are few more nights and days of the last ten days and nights of Ramadan. We have to avail of this opportunity; we should not abandon it to any other things. Scholars of the earlier generations used to leave everything, everything of knowledge and reading and concentrate on the Glorious Qur’an. So please.

Last Friday, 2nd of August, Professor Dr. Ahmad ibn Saifuddin Turkistani, Director, Department of Cultural Affairs, Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia, Cultural Bureau at London, gave a pre-Khutba lecture at a Holborn Community Mosque in London where he said, “This is one of the days that we are so much happy to live, to observe. Today is Friday and Friday is the best day the Sun has ever risen on and today is one of the days of the month of Ramadan. Ramadan is the master of the months. This is a month of blessings, favours on us. We should be thankful to Allah the Almighty for what he has given us. We are many others deprived of not enjoying the mercy of the month of Ramadan. So Alhamdolillah. Alhamdolillah, Alhamdolillah.”

Lailatul Qadr

We have only a few days and nights are left but still they are very important. Only yesterday we have been receiving the month, just yesterday, 25 days past but still the best is there, the 27^th night and 29^th night of Ramadan; there is Lailatul Qadr. Professor Turkistani asked do you know what Lailatul Qadr is and said, “It is better than 1000 months; by simple calculation, Lailatul Qadr is better than more than 83 years. Just imagine 84 years. The average life of Muslims, most Muslims die before their age; which means you are getting the reward of more than 83 years. Even better, because Allah Subhanahu wa Taala says Lailatul Qadr khairun. This is a golden opportunity; it’s a gift even to this Ummah and we shall take it. It’s worth to take a vacation, to take some days off your work; to leave all things at your hands and get this opportunity. Only a 9 days. Then they will be gone.”

Narrating the blessing of this month of Ramadan, Professor Turkistani said, “This night is so much blessed. The Angels will come down and will bring blessings and Allah Subhanahu wa Taala will forgive anyone who is committed to Allah on that night reciting the Glorious Qur’an, engage in prayer, doing all the good deeds that a person can do. Even if you stay awake all the night it’s worth it. When the last ten days come on his own life, the Prophet peace be upon him would avoid sleep during the nights of the last ten days. And he would stay away from his wives only concentrating on Ibadah. It’s worth it.”

“It is nine days or ten days for more than 83 years what a bargain. Why can you not use it brothers and sisters. This is what Allah Subhanahu wa Taala has promised us. This stays until Fajr; until the coming dawn; so we shall be very much interested in this. Anyone who misses that he is a deprived one. Deprived. We shall not be deprived of this great prize, a great opportunity,” said Professor Turkistani.

What a blessing! What a gift!

Professor Turkistani also mentioned what a bargain it is. He said, “Just say a one good thing: SubhanAllah Alhamdo lillah La ilaha Illallah Allahu Akbar. It is like you have done for 83 years and 4 months. What a blessing; what a gift that is given to us this opportunity the biggest bargain. I do not see any bargain better than that. You see that? Even when people bargain, they go to stores and markets and online trying to buy the best thing that they need and they dream of. They say ouh; this is the biggest bargain; no, wallahe, the bargain is Lailatul Qadr. This is the biggest bargain.”

Professor Turkistani urged people “Please do not let it go away without cashing as much as you can; devote the rest of the time for Ibadah; because that will affect the rest of your life. It should, if you surely coming towards Allah with Taubah from your heart, from inside, then Allah will accept you , Insha Allah and then Insha Allah, you would be happy for the rest of your life. You would be guided on the straight path. So you keep on the truck until you meet Allah Subhanahu wa Taala. This is the time and that’s why Allah Subhanahu wa Taala promises that you stand with imaan and Ihtesab. imaanbelieving in Allah and believing in His Rewards and Ihtesaban seeking the rewards from Allah Subhanahu wa Taala alone; not from any one else and all your previous sins are forgiven. You fast the month of Ramadan all your previous sins are forgiven if again if you stand up in Salah during all the month of Ramadan and you should do it out of Imaan and Ihtesab and all your previous sins are forgiven.”

Masjid at MWL London Office

Last Friday, on 2^nd of August Professor Turkistani was delivering Khutba at the Mosque of the Muslim World League London Office where he was mentioned about what to do during the end of the month of Ramadan. Towards the end of the Ramadan there are certain Ibadahs that we need to be aware of and to do the first is the Zakat-ul-Fitr.

Zakat-ul-Fitr

Professor Turkistani mentioned the first of those Ibadah is the Zakat-ul-Fitr. He said, “Zakat-ul-Fitr is the source of purification and feeding of the poor and the needy. It is a source of purification for yourself in case you have committed some sins and who amongst us has not committed something wrong in the month of Ramadan or any other time and it is something to feed the poor and the needy.”

How Zakat-ul-Fitris estimated? Enquired Professor Turkistani and promptly answered, “It is estimated Soa as in the Hadith of Abu Sayeed al-Khudri (RA) follow the Rasoolullah peace be upon him. He gave examples, all these types of food. So it means that we should give Zakat-ul-Fitr in food, not in money. I know that Imam Abu Hanifah (Rahimullah) said it is permissible to do in money but the Prophet peace be upon him and the Companions did not give Zakat-ul-Fitrin money. They gave it in food. They could have given in money; they would pay Zakat-ul-Maal or any type of Zakah from wealth, from money. Zakat-ul-Fitragain so that the poor and the needy have not to seek on the day of Eid, they should be happy; they should enjoy with the rest of the Muslim community. That’s why, we should have to give it in food.”

Again, Professor Turkistan enquired, “How do we do it?” and answered, “Well, lets seek the poor and the needy in our community. If we have someone we know who is in need we shall give Zakat-ul-Fitr to these people. If we do not know people, then we shall give the money to the trusted charities and organisations that collect the money, buy the food and give it to the poor and the needy on your behalf. If not in this country; if this country would not have poor people to the extent that they can be receiving Zakat-ul-Fitr, there are many people up there, in Africa, Asia and throughout the Muslim World who need this food who cannot buy who stay at night starving.”

“In Syria, for example, as you have heard from your brothers, telling you that the Ulema in that country in their Fatwa people eat cats and rats because they do not have the food to eat. Situations because of the war going on in Syria; and the same thing with other people who are starving and do not have the food. This is the way to express your own sympathy with your brothers. This is something that you need to do and Zakat-ul-Fitr is a must. It’s not a choice and it is for everyone in the household, everyone. Even those who think they are poor; if they have a food for a day and a night, they should give out Zakat-ul-Fitr. If they have enough for one day, they should give Zakah to other poor people and the needy people and that would be a Saa,” said Professor Turkistani in his Khutba (Sermon).

How that would be translated into today’s measurement? Professor Turkistani asked and promptly replied, “It would be about two kilogram and a quarter. If you pay three kilograms of any types of food, rice, dates, barley, anything that people eat, which is an edible thing; something they can keep and preserve. You cannot give out, in meat, for example, or something that can be immediately consumed; cooked food, for example. It has to be a food that the poor and the needy can save and can prepare their own meals. For everyone in the household, young or old, male or female, the newly born, anyone born before the sun set of the last day of the month of Ramadan has to be given Zakat-ul-Fitr and it is the responsibility of the head of the household; those who spent is the man who is earning and even if it is the woman who is earning and spending in the family then it is their responsibility to pay.”

When shall we pay it? Professor Turkistani again enquired and said, “Not until before Eid day; at least two days before Eid and it shall be given out before Salat-ul-Eid, otherwise it would not be Zakat-ul-Fitr; it would be sadaqah. And it would not do its purpose unless it is done and given to the poor and the needy so that they can go for the Eid prayer and happy. They feel that they have enough and they can share with the Muslim community. Nice occasion and celebrate Eid along with them.”

Takbeer

That was for Zakat-ul-Fitr. The second form of Ibadah is Takbeer. Professor Turkistani mentioned, “It is a Sunnah to do Takbeer starting from the Maghreb of the night of Eid until Eid prayer. How do we say, what do we say? Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar La Ilaha Illallah Allahu Akbar walillahe wal Hamd. Any form of Takbeer is good to announce this and to obey Allah Subhanahu wa Taala as Allah said so you shall complete the number of days fasting and announce Takbeer. That’s why it is Sunnah to do Takbeer from the Maghreb to the Salat-ul-Eid in congregation. You say on yourself, you say it among Muslims, you say in the Masjid, in the house, anywhere wherever it is possible to pronounce loudly just to inform Muslims around you that this is the time of praising Allah and celebrate Eid.”

Salat-ul-Eid

The third form of Ibadah during the end of the month of Ramadan is Salat-ul-Eid. Professor Turkistani mentioned, “We need to come to Salat-ul-Eid. Salat-ul-Eidis an obligation upon the whole community, but for every individual it is something strongly recommended. Some people choose to sleep on the morning of Eid and miss the prizes because during the day of Eid as people are coming to the prayer the Angels are standing at the doors giving prizes. You wouldn’t see them but belief me, if you have done well in the month of Ramadan you receive prize on the day of Eid. That’s why it is important to come to Eid prayer and to receive the prize and look and see that prize on the day of Eid. So on the Eid, take complete bath and then wear the must you have, put on perfume for man, but not for woman because you will attract the opposite gender, and then come to Salatul Eid to attend and celebrate with the rest of the community Eid. Everyone, man and woman, young or old, shall come to Eid prayer; without exception, even women who are having the menstruation. But they should avoid area of prayer, area of musalla. But they should come and be among the community to enjoy this occasion along with the rest of the Muslims. This is the third Ibadah.”

Fasting is prohibited on Eid Day

Fasting is prohibited on the day of Eid. “We need to break on the day of Eid of fast because it is prohibited to fast on the day of Eid,” said Professor Turkistani and added, “It is a gift from Allah and we shall receive it and how do we break we break it with date, one or three or five or more, eat single or odd number of dates on the day of Eid in your home before you come out. And it is Sunnah to go from one way and to return another way in order to meet as many people and to greet them on the day of Eid. Eid is the day of forgiveness, a day when you really forgive those who have done wrong to you. This is the time to show forgiveness and Allah who give you forgiveness in return.”

Muslim Personal Law: A Book Review

Dr. Mozammel Haque

The Book titled Muslim Personal Law authored by Dr. Hashim al-Mahdi, published by Ta-Ha Publishers Ltd, London, is a timely written book because it deals with Muslim personal law which had its source in Shari’ah.

Doctrinal Development of Islamic Personal Law

In the Preface of the book, Dr. Hashim al-Mahdi narrated the historic and doctrinal development of Islamic personal law. He said, “In the earlier part of Islamic history the Islamic Judiciary had no other source of personal law than the injunctions of the Qur’an, the sunnah of the Prophet, peace be upon him, the legal opinions of his companions and the independent judgements of the judges themselves.

“Subsequently most judges followed the school of Abu Hanifa as it was the prevalent juridical school in the Abbasid period from the time of Imam Abu Yusuf’s appointment to the office of Chief Justice during the Harun al-Rashid’s reign. After that it became the official school of law in the Ottoman state, except for the administration of justice in Islamic Spain, North and West Africa which is based on the Maliki School of Law, and except for the Ayyubid period when it was based on all four schools of law – Hanafi, Maliki, Shafi and Hanbali,” said Dr. Al-Mahdi.

The Ottoman government promulgated a code of Shari’ah law on Family Rights which was effective in its dominions and some of those territories this code continues to be applied till today. Dr. al-Mahdi also mentioned in the Preface of the Book, “Egypt promulgated a law first in 1920 and then another in 1929, in both of which the same methods were followed as had been adopted in the case of the Ottoman Family Rights Law. Then in 1936, a committee was set up in Egypt under the chairmanship of the Shaikh of Al-Azhar, the Mufti of Egypt, the Chief Justice of the High Shari’ah Court, the Shaikhs of the four schools of law at the Jami’ al-Azhar, and representatives of the Ministry of Justice, the Faculty of Law, the Union of Lawyers and Judges and others as members, for the purpose of framing a comprehensive code of personal law. Successive meetings of this committee were held, but it accomplished only a part of its work.”

After the Second World War, since 1945, Syria entrusted the task of reviewing the Ottoman Family Law and to prepare a new draft to its prominent judges. Dr. al-Mahdi maintained, “In 1946, The Ministry of Justice deputed an eminent judge, Shaikh Ali Al-Tantawi, to Egypt for one year to prepare a draft of the personal law. In 1949 the government set up a committee to study and consider the draft, again in 1951, the Ministry of Justice constituted a new committee and strengthened it by inducting into it great scholars from the Faculty of Law and from among the judges, including two eminent Professors, Mustafa Ahmad al-Zarqa, Professor in the Faculty of Law, and Ali Al-Tantawi, the Shari’ah Qadi of Damascus. In 1953, the Syrian government gave its assent to the draft prepared by those great scholars and promulgated a law which is acted upon there till today.”

“This is the law,” said Dr. al-Mahdi in the Preface, “we have selected for presentation to all Islamic minorities of non-Muslim states, acting in accordance with the efficiency demanded of us after a long wait in this regard and desirous of accomplishing the work within the time limit set for us. We have selected this law because its preparation matured for nine years at the hands of eminent scholars and committees, first in Egypt and then in Damascus, and because it has dealt with all that needs to be dealt with in the present day.”

Introductory summary of the basic principles

of Islamic Personal Law

While writing Foreword for the book, Professor Francis Lamand, President of the Paris-based Islam and the West, said, “This study is not a comprehensive treatise but an introductory summary of the basic principles of Islamic personal law which are relevant and applicable to the Muslim community in general and in minority Muslim communities throughout the world.”

Professor Lamand also mentioned, “This short work is also addressed to researchers and non-Muslims seeking to know about the Shari’ah objectively, a subject which is so often misunderstood in non-Muslim countries where too often Shari’ah is thought to be a collection of repressive laws which are both discriminatory and backward and which contradict and offend modern notions of human dignity and human rights. In reality, it is quite otherwise. The reader will be struck, for example, with the similarity of certain legal stances in Islamic personal law to Western law in cases of the protection of the family, marital rights of the spouses, child custody and laws relating to handicapped people.”

“Having taught law in both French and Islamic Universities, I am delighted to encounter a study which is distinguished by its clarity and concision, is undertaken with objectivity and which should lead to a more balanced approach to Islamic personal law devoid of prejudice and thus lead to a better knowledge of those values common to both our society and Muslim society, “said Professor Lamand in his Foreword and argued, “For the spirit of the Shari’ah, which emanates from divine revelation, also embodies overall principles of equity, human solidarity and social justice. Generally speaking, notions of equality and fairness inspire the rules of jurisprudence applicable to both individuals and to the affairs of the Muslim family which is structured, stratified and strictly protected by Islamic law.”

Professor Lamand said, “The reader will increasingly perceive this imperative on reading this exposition of Dr. Mahdi.”

This book deals with some of the aspects of Muslim civil law

Barrister Ahmad Thomson wrote a long introduction of 10 pages to the book. In his introduction, he has discussed in detail about the contents of the book. Barrister Thomson said, “Dr. Hashim Mahdi’s book on Muslim Personal Law is a book which deals with some of the aspects of Muslim civil law which historically have been implemented both under Muslim and non-Muslim colonial rule. This book is worth reading for anyone who wishes to acquire more than a superficial knowledge of the subject. It summarises the main principles of those aspects of the Shari’ah which govern the most fundamental personal human relationships in a straightforward and yet comprehensive manner. As Dr. Hashim Mahdi makes clear in his Foreword, it represents a culmination of one of the mainstream Sunni attempts to codify these aspects of Islamic law, based on centuries of practical application and experience – and relying principally on the Hanafi Madhhab.”

“Although it is as impossible to codify Islam as it is to codify life itself; it nevertheless provides the reader with a reliable checklist of the identifiable features of the Shari’ah which govern the fundamental milestones in life which most people experience during their life’s journey: birth, childhood, marriage, divorce, death and inheritance,” he said..

The book opens up several aspects of the Shari’ah

Barrister Thomson mentioned, “The knowledge of a judge in a Shari’ah court would not be limited to the contents of this book, but a student of Shari’ah – who might one day become a judge – will find this book helpful in pursuing initial or intermediate studies. Dr. Hashim Mahdi recommends that it is utilised and implemented throughout the world by Muslim communities, whether they constitute a majority or a minority of the general population of any given country.”

Barrister Thomson argued, “This book represents more than a subject of study. It opens up several aspects of the Shari’ah which can be implemented today. And in the modern legal and social context this is significant: as more and more Muslim communities begin to emerge in countries in which the way of Islam is being established for the first time, the possibilities of Muslims actually living what their divine guidance calls on them to follow are always being identified, activated and established.”

“Ignorant people inevitable produce extreme interpretations of this guidance, but balanced Muslims seek only to follow a middle course through life. By leading their lives in this way, they seek the mercy and compassion of their Creator and the Originator of this guidance, in this world and in the next,” he mentioned..

Muslims secular legal right to follow the way of Islam

Speaking about the British Muslims and their right to follow the way of Islam, Barrister Thomson argued in the Introduction to the book: “As far as the Muslims living in the UK today are concerned, it is their secular legal right to be able to follow the way of Islam provided this does not interfere with the interests of public safety, the protection of public order, health or morals and the rights and the freedoms of others. The government of the day is under a legal duty to secure this right and to provide a remedy if this right is violated, while the courts of the land must have particular regard to the importance of this right in determining any question arising under the Human Rights Act 1998 which might affect the exercise by a religious organisation (itself or its members collectively) of this right.”

Barrister Thomson while writing an Introduction to the Book, mentioned about the proposals made to the Law Commission as early as in 2007. He said, “It was with this right firmly in mind that proposals were made to the Law Commission in March 2007, well before the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Lord Chief Justice raised the subject in public, as to how the laws of England could be changed in order to accommodate Muslim personal law, particularly by recognising Muslim marriages, Muslim divorces and Muslim inheritance and including the recognition of the binding nature of judgements passed by Shari’ah courts – which, as also proposed by the Lord Chief justice in his talk, would only be enforceable by recourse to the English civil courts.”

Speaking about the usefulness, simplicity of the book, Barrister Thomson said, “I have no doubt that this book will help many people to recognise and understand both the simplicity and profundity of those aspects of the Shari’ah which govern Muslim personal law. It may even encourage them to reflect further and contemplate what it would be like to live in a usury-free economy governed by a wise God-fearing ruler. Certainly it will be one of the means whereby Muslim personal law is eventually introduced and accepted as an invaluable part of the English legal system, InshaAllah– God Willing.”

About the author of the book

Dr. Hashim Mahdi was born and educated in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia obtaining his PhD in the US and further qualifications in the UK. He is a fellow of the Islamic Academy, Cambridge, UK and has been associated with the Muslim World League in various capacities for almost two and a half decades, currently holding the post of International Strategies expert. He is at present visiting professor at the University of Paris-Sorbonne besides working on curriculum design for Dar al-Fikr secondary schools in Jeddah and working in cooperation with Ummul Qura University in Makkah. He is the author of a number of books which have been published in Arabic, French and English.

Book title: Muslim Personal Law

Author: Dr. Hashim Mahdi

Publishers: Ta-Ha Publishers Ltd., London, UK

Date of Publication: 2009

Pages 118

Conference on the Role of Islamic

Centres in Correcting Misconceptions

Dr. Mozammel Haque

One-day Conference on “The Role of Islamic Centres in Correcting Misconceptions,” organised by Muslim World League, London Office in cooperation with Islamic Cultural Centre, London, UK, was held in the Library Hall of the Islamic Cultural Centre (ICC), London, on Thursday, 15^th of August, 2013 corresponding to 8^th of Shawwal, 1434AH. Islamic Cultural Centre was very happy to host this conference and was also very happy to cooperate with the Muslim World League, expressed Dr. Ahmed al-Dubayan, Director General of the Islamic Cultural Centre in his opening speech.

Proceedings of the Conference

There were three sessions besides the opening and final sessions on the recommendations. The Opening Ceremony was started with the recitation of the Holy Qur’an followed by a speech by Dr. Ahmed al-Dubayan, Director-General of the Islamic Cultural Centre, London; HRH Prince Mohammad bin Nawaf al-Saud, Ambassador of Saudi Arabia to the United Kingdom & Ireland; Lord Mohammad Shaikh, Peer of the House of Lords, British Parliament and HE Dr. Abdullah bin AbdelMohsin al-Turki, Secretary General of the Muslim World League, Makkah al-Mukarramah, Saudi Arabia.

In the First session on “Misconceptions between Truth and Falsehood”, chaired by Sh. Muhammad Ismail Rashid, Secretary General of the Association of Muslim Scholars of Britain. Muhammad Ali Harrath, Editor of Islam Magazine, CEO of Islam Channel spoke on Western Media and the Creation of Islamophobia; Dr. Abdul Hakim Murad, Lecturer in Islamic Studies and Fellow of Wolfson College, Cambridge University, UK lectured on Oriental Studies and Dr. Nour al-Din al-Miladi, Head of the Media Department, Qatar University, UAE spoke on Media & Importance of Renewing Religious Discourse.

The Second session on “Towards Comprehensive Correction on Misconceptions” was chaired by Dr. Abdul Rahman Abdullah al-Zaid, Assistant Secretary General of the Makkah-based Muslim World League. Dr. Aminah Osman, Director of the Turning Point Organisation, UK spoke on Projects of Introducing Islam; Dr. Suhaib AbdulGhafour, Secretary of the Sharia Council of Britain spoke on Terrorism and Extremism and Sir Iqbal Abdulkarim Sacranie, former Secretary General of the Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) spoke on Islamic Reference and the Position of Unity.

The Third session on “Islamic Associations between Duplication and Coordination” was chaired by Dr. Ahmad Turkistani, Director of the Cultural Affairs in the Saudi Cultural Bureau, London. In this session, Mr. Yousuf Muhammad Bhailok, former Secretary General of the Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) presented a paper on The Danger of Duplication in Islamic Work; Dr. Musharraf Hussain, Director of the Karimia Institute in Nottingham, UK spoke on Muslims in the West and Bridges of Dialogue; Sheikh Khalifa Ezzat, Imam of the Regents’ Park London Central Mosque, spoke on the Importance of Integration in Coordinating Islamic Organisations Work and Councillor Asghar Majeed of the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead, UK, spoke on Islamic Associations and Cultural Partnership.

The Final session was presided by Dr. Abdullah Mohsin al-Turki. Dr. Ahmad Al-Dubayan read out the Resolutions of the Conference in Arabic which was simultaneously translated into English.

Opening Ceremony:

Dr. Ahmed al-Dubayan

Dr. Ahmed al-Dubayan, Director-General of the ICC, first of all, spoke about the activities of the Muslim community and their needs. He mentioned that the Muslim community had made great advances in looking after all the aspects of the Muslims, such as building mosques, charity and social works, establishing Islamic schools etc. These works are increasing day after day.

Dr. al-Dubayan also mentioned about the two important needs of the Muslim community, one is education and the other the social side. “Recently we notice there are two needs: first one is, taking care of their education; because education is the basic need for this Muslim community after they got their citizenship in this country. The other one is the social side and the social services; looking after the families, educating the women and looking after the new generation of Muslims. Because the new generations have lot of problems, first of all the identity and belongings,” said Dr. al-Dubayan.

The Muslim World League serves lot of works around the world, Asia, America and Europe. Dr. al-Dubayan said, “Muslim community look toward the Muslim World League for their needs. Education needs lot of supports and these communities look forward to cooperate with the Muslim World League because Muslim World League represents Muslims all over the world. We, in the Islamic Cultural Centre, are very happy to host this conference and to cooperate with the Muslim World League.”

Mr. Abdul Rahman Aneezi of the

Saudi Embassy in the UK

Mr. Abdul Rahman al-Aneezi from the Saudi Embassy in London spoke on behalf of His Excellency, Prince Mohammad bin Nawaf al-Saud, the Ambassador of Saudi Arabia to the United Kingdom & Ireland. First of all, after conveying the greetings on behalf of the Saudi ambassador, Mr. al-Aneezi said, “The Saudi Ambassador Prince Mohammad could not attend today because of his previous engagement long time ago. He directed me to deputise him and attend this conference which is talking about misconception about Islam.”

Mr. al-Aneezi also mentioned, “The choice of this title is a very good one and now we need to spotlight the role of the Muslims and the Islamic centres in the West.”

Lord Mohammad Shaikh

Lord Mohammad Shaikh, Peer of the British Parliament, commended Dr. al-Dubayan for organising this conference, especially about the theme of the conference, The Role of Islamic centres and the misconceptions. Lord Shaikh said, “Unfortunately, there are some misconceptions about Islam which I think we have to rectify but we need to do it gently.”

Lord Shaikh said, “Education is very very important. In fact, we are proud of our educational inheritance. Our achievement has been marvellous,” In this connection, Lord Shaikh reminded the education heritage going back to the time when the Ummayyad were holding ruling and the development in Cordova, Spain.

Referring to the social side, Lord Shaikh said, “We tackle this concept or term of misconception. In the last meeting of the Conservative Muslim Forum people of the Christian community came to me and said we do not know that there is a chapter in the Holy Qur’an relating to Jesus Christ.”

“I think this is very very important that we tell the world what is Islam all about. It is indeed the religion of peace. In the Holy Qur’an, Prophet Issa, Prophet Moses were mentioned more times than Holy Prophet (peace be upon him). We also need to tell the people of the Books, the Christians and the Jews and all the revealed Books of Allah, the Injil, az-Zabur, at-Tauratand the Holy Qur’an. So there are misconceptions which we must correct. The way to do it is a gentle way,” mentioned Lord Shaikh.

Speaking about how Islam was spread in the largest Muslim country like Indonesia, Lord Sheikh said Islam was spread in Indonesia, the largest Muslim country, by Muslim missionaries and traders and we never conquer Indonesia. Similarly, he mentioned about Sri Lanka and Maldives, he visited recently. He also talked about how Islam is spread in Malaysia by Muslim missionaries and traders.

Lord Shaikh said, “I like to say, every one of us has a role to play. We all are ambassadors of Islam. It is incumbent on all of us to tell others what Islamic principles are all about.”

HE Dr. Abdullah Mohsin al-Turki

After thanking all those brothers who participated in the conference and who collaborated to organise this conference, especially Dr. Ahmad al-Dubayan Director-General of the Islamic Cultural Centre London and Dr. Ahmad Makhdoum Director of the Muslim World League, London Office and also all the participating researchers and scholars, Dr. Abdullah Mohsin al-Turki, Secretary General of the Makah-based Muslim World League (MWL) said, “We appreciate their efforts and their collaboration in this important subject of the role of Islamic centres in correcting the misconceptions.”

Dr. Al-Turki said, “We do not forget that there is a conflict between right and wrong since mankind started and it is going to go on until the doomsday. So we are not surprise that there is someone who distort religions and their prophets and talks about the wrong ideas about this.”

From Adam until Muhammad (peace be upon him) they all faced challenges and objections. Some of the prophets had only very few followers; so this thing is not a surprise, he said.

Dr. al-Turki said, “Islam is a summary of all the Divine Books that were revealed by Allah the Almighty. They might have differences about the environment or about time but in summary they don’t. They all call for obedience to God and following God; talked about justice, peace, security and anything that will bring happiness to mankind.”

Speaking about the similarity in origin and message, the MWL chief said, “If we go about the story of Prophets Adam, Noah, Ibrahim and many many prophets at different times we find that the main goal of these Missions is to convey that human being is the creation of God and this message is from God just to guide mankind into the right path and correct direction. It is not that Muhammad (peace be upon him) was telling us about this Mission. The Message of Moses or of Jesus to his people is the same.”

Dr. Al-Turki said, “But we have to admit that there are many many personalities who are fair and they know that Islam is all about the religious messages. So there is a big role for all Muslims and non-Muslims to correct the bad image that is damaging Islam and all the messages from God.

Mentioning about dialogue, MWL chief said, “Everyone must collaborate on this subject and they have to find the means and ways to help them. That’s why we have to engage in dialogue. We have to come back to dialogue between religions that was started by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah and his Crown Prince. They are keen to take any step that helps and serves the Muslims and the humanity and everything that will take humanity out of wars and conflicts. Of course dialogue is a very good thing in this subject.”

“I have to say there are lot of ways used to distort the image of Islam,” said Dr. al-Turki and added, “Muslims have a great role. They have to introduce Islam to people who do not know anything about Islam. It’s a trust that any Muslim has to convey the correct message of Islam. In this meeting, we have to talk about the appropriate ways that Muslim minority should take in Europe generally and especially in Britain because there are people, who are open to learn, open to know from Islamic organisations and non-Islamic organisations. Yes, Islamic organisations should have a strategy and they should collaborate with other organisations in order to clarify the facts.”

“Media, of course unfortunately, can give distorted image of Islam; that’s why we should look into the media; and we should look into the appropriate media ways to collaborate with them to correct the image of Islam through conferences, exhibitions, forums and contacting Muslims and the scholars and researchers in Britain. We are talking about the people of Britain and also that of Europe and everywhere else. Are they contacting the non-bias researchers and people who are interested in research in all the universities and institutions?” enquired Dr. Al-Turki and said, “This thing is very important. Muslim minorities have responsibilities to educate their children and direct them like what Dr. Dubayan said we need to educate the youngsters so that they can face these problems and they can communicate with others.”

Speaking about the method of cooperation with scholars and non-Muslims, the MWL chief said, “I must say that the Muslim communities must cooperate with other communities. They should not isolate themselves; they should cooperate with the communities and the countries they are living in. They should respect the laws of the countries they are living in and they should also contribute in the social and religious affairs of those countries they are living in. That is the way to show the truth about Islam.”

Another aspect about which MWL chief emphasized is communication between Islamic communities, especially the scholars and thinkers of these communities because Islam is one nation with all the racial differences. “The communication between all these communities should be to serve and clarify the misconceptions about Islam and Muslims and this communication should serve this important cause. This matter, of course, needs a lot of efforts and this conference should play a role,” he said.

“After this conference, there should be meeting of all Islamic thinkers in the European and non-European countries to formulate a strategy; specific strategy to introduce Islam by the communities in order to rectify the misconceptions,” proposed Dr. al-Turki.

MWL chief said, “Islam is not fanaticism or terrorism. It’s a fact that Islam is against terrorism and fanaticism. Islam stresses on security of organisations and respect by the Muslims of the rules and laws of the countries they live in. If some individuals make any mistake they should not be assigned to Islam.”

While concluding his speech, Dr. Abdullah Mohsin al-Turki expressed his thanks to all the brothers for their efforts. He specially thanked the Saudi Ambassador to the United Kingdom for his efforts and for his cooperation and also Mr. Abdul Rahman Aneezi for his efforts and cooperation on this occasion and also thanked Lord Muhammad Shaikh for his contribution and his speech.”

International Interfaith Dialogue

Conference at Islamic Cultural Centre

Dr. Mozammel Haque

The ISESCO & The Islamic Cultural Centre, London, held a joint two-day international conference for the 13^th Meeting of the Supreme Council of Education, Science & Cultural for Muslims outside the Islamic World and the 10^thMeeting of the Directors of the Islamic Cultural Centres and Islamic Associations in Europe at the Islamic Cultural Centre, London, on 26^th and 27^thof June, 2013. The Two-day conference has four sessions besides the Opening and Concluding sessions.

The Two-day conference was mainly focussed on Interfaith Dialogue and many Islamic organisations in the UK were involved in this conference. The members of the Supreme Council of Education, Science & Cultural for Muslims outside the Islamic World came from very different places starting from South-East Asia with Dr. Mohd Hasbi Abu Bakar, President of the Jamiyah Singapore and his colleague Mohamed Yunos who presented later on one of the latest projects of advanced technology in terms of dialogue of the tradition of Islamic wisdom. Then other members of the Council came from Latin America, South America, from Argentina Dr. Yousuf and all other members coming mostly from Europe, Russia, Switzerland, France and Dr. Yahya from Italy.

Opening Session

The opening speeches were delivered by Dr. Ahmad Al Dubayan, the Director General of the Islamic Cultural Centre, London; Dr Abdelilah Ben Arafa, expert in cultural policies and cultural diversity at ISESCO Directorate of Culture and Communication, Rabat; Dr. Yahya Pallavicini, Chairman of the Supreme Council for Education, Science and Culture; Dr. Nasir Al Hujailan, the representative of the Ministry of Culture in Saudi Arabia and His Excellency Mr Faisal Bin Muammar, Secretary General of King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz International Centre for Interreligious Intercultural Dialogue (KAICIID) in Vienna, Austria.

HE Faisal Bin Muammar

Secretary General of KAICIID

HE Faisal Bin Muammar in his opening speech introduced King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz International Centre for Interreligious Intercultural Dialogue (KAICIID) in Vienna. HE Bin Muammar mentioned about the three founding member-states of KAICIID. He said, KAICIID was established in Vienna, Austria with its three member states, Austria, Kingdom of Spain and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It was opened at the Hofburg Palace, Vienna, in the presence of The Holy See, the strong supporter of the Dialogue Centre, on 26^thNovember, 2012. He also mentioned about the trustees of KAICCID who belong to three religions and cultures such as, three Christians, three Muslims, a Jew, a Hindu and a Buddhist.

Then His Excellency mentioned about the aims and objectives of the Dialogue Centre. He also elaborated the programmes of the KAICIID. After his speech, a film on KAICIID was shown to the conference.

First Session

After introductory and opening speeches, the first session was on Introducing the Initiative of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz to strengthen the dialogue between Religion & Culture and was followed by brief discussion. This session was chaired by Dr. Yahya Pallavicini, member of the Supreme Council of Education, Science & Cultural for Muslims outside the Islamic World and the speaker is Abdelilah Ben Arafa.

While introducing the first session, Dr. Pallavicini spoke about the initiative, the issue is the scope, development and engagement in interfaith dialogue. Referring to the film shown on KAICIID earlier, Dr. Yahya Pallavicini said, “Thanks to King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz who actually took the initiative of a very outstanding and important engagement in the field of dialogue which is actually somehow inspirational issue that opened the centre of KAICIID in Vienna but ISESCO has taken the intellectual and international development of this analysis in order to develop strategy, guidelines, network and implement this vision of dialogue in concrete terms but also adopting these guidelines according to situations and places.”

Dr. Yahya Pallavicini also said, “I am very glad to mention that the development of this situation is quite easy because I came back just last week from a meeting with Pope Francis that was actually somehow followed by Dr. Hamed al-Rifai with Dr. Abdullah Omar Nasseef, two leading personalities coming always from Saudi Arabia engaging with new Pope Francis and trying to develop a better qualified relations with Islamic World, with Muslims and with Islamic civilizations and with our own identity and spirituality.”

Dr. Ahmad Al-Dubayan

Dr. Ahmed al-Dubayan, Director General of the Islamic Cultural Centre, London gave a summary of what has been said before in the paper. He said:

“Number one: Need cultural dialogue centres in the major cities in Europe; at least adopt projects in major Islamic centres in Europe. Number two: it is very important to have database, events, publication, supporting the culture of faiths, Muslims and non-Muslims. Number three: it is important to target the youth, the young with some cultural activities especially, arts and sports, like football, or whatever; to concentrate on sports, supporting the culture of dialogue and understanding. Number four: They suggest having Islamic cultural art activities, I welcome the idea; because from my experience, Islamic art is a very big approach for non-Muslim to come to Islam; how Muslims think, how they see the world. Art is very very important.”

While dealing with the fourth point on Art, Dr. Dubayan mentioned, “These things will bring more understanding, I think, the non-Muslims will understand Islam and they will see Islam not just as they think something we can summarise it in a word of hate or terror. Art is a very real approach, I know some Europeans who became Muslims and embraced Islam because of art. They started with art; some of them started with calligraphy, some of them started with architecture, some of them started with manuscripts and at the end of the day, they are Muslims.”

Dr. Dubayan continued with the summary of the papers presented, “Number Five suggestion in the paper Coordination of the Islamic centres here with the British Institutions. I think coordination with the British institutions particularly why we put it in the paper in this centre here because Muslim communities in UK have achieved a lot of things more than other active communities in France, in Germany, in Denmark, in Italy or anywhere. Muslim Communities in Britain have their own experience. They have achieved a lot of things or built institutions. They have more schools, more Muslim figures who work in the political arena; Islamic media or press, more than other Muslim communities around in Europe, even more than Muslims in America.”

In this connection, he also mentioned the role of the British government who has “given Muslims more space and their philosophy is co-existence; country supporting co-existence. London itself is a city of multicultural nature; that’s why; you find interfaith activities are more than other European countries. The directory of the interfaith network, their book, they registered about 300 organisations only in UK dealing with interfaith and dialogue activities. Some of them, of course, are local, between the mosques and the church or synagogues or temple or something or some of them really are nationwide. Some of them are international,” Dr. Dubayan said. .

Proposal to establish ISESCO Regional

Research Centre in Singapore

Dr. Mohd Hasbi Abu Baker, President of Jamiyah Singapore expressed his gratefulness and gratitude at the very outset to ISESCO, in particular, for choosing Jamiyah to work with ISESCO for more than ten years now. “We shall do our best to closely work with ISESCO. We are proposing to establish an ISESCO Regional Research Centre in Singapore to serve the Ummah in South East Asia, in the Pacific region. The Regional Research Centre shall be the focal point of scholars, researchers, institutions, organisations within and outside of South East Asian countries and deal with the studies and research on various aspects of Islamic civilization. I will forward the complete detail of this regional research centre to ISESCO, through Dr. bin Arafa soon,” Dr. Mohd Hasbi said.

Jamiyah President also mentioned, “We are moving towards utilising technology to spread our Islamic work. For example, two weeks ago, we launch a project called I-council at our 37 free legal clinics where I constantly use the internet technology to provide legal counselling.” He requested his colleague, Mohamed Yunos to make the presentation. This is another attempt by Jamiyah to talk to more people to learn reading Qur’an in 48 hours through utilising the modern technology to reach out to more Muslims around the world.

Learn Qur’an in 48 Hours

Muhammed Younus, Jamya Singapore

Mr. Mohamed Yunos, Vice-President-II of Jamiyah Singapore presented and demonstrated the most effective and productive way to learn Qur’an through the use of modern technology. He said, “Jamiyah Singapore have to find an effective way how to educate our brothers and sisters in Islam in the most efficient and in a more productive manner. That’s why; recently there is big interest, a big charm in Islamic education. Jamiyah Singapore has seized this opportunity and come up with various programmes to address the needs of brothers and sisters in Islam.”

Mr. Yunos mentioned, “One of the projects that we are embarking on is to learn Qur’an in 48 hours. We have completed this book. We have been using this book since December 2012 and we have great response from brothers and sisters who do not know how to read Qur’an. They have zero knowledge. Alhamdo Lillah, within 48 hours they are able to read Qur’an with Tajweed. This is quite a remarkable achievement.”

Brother Yunos demonstrated how to use the technology, learning the lesson which emphasize on reading Qur’an with proper Tajweed. “The book is designed for all age-groups, whether seven years old or seventy years old, who have zero knowledge of the Qur’an, they can use this. And this book is suitable for beginners, as I said before. Zero knowledge of Arabic language,” said Jamiyah Vice-President-II.

Mr. Yunos also mentioned, “This Apes will be launched on the 7^th of July 2013 and it will be available. We call it learn Qur’an in 48 hours. If you go to the apotos; you make a search learning Qur’an in 48 hours, you will be able to see this Aps and you can download from there Insha Allah. This is our first step to impart Dawah, especially in Singapore and we are minority Muslims and we have to do something that most efficient and most effective in order to educate our Muslims in Singapore.”

Mr. Yunos made a proposal to ISESCO and its members to get endorsement from ISESCO. He said, “We have no choice but we have to speed up our efficiency in delivering the knowledge of Islam and my proposal down here today to ISESCO is to get endorsement from the ISESCO and its members before you go to the apes. When you saw this with the symbol, the logo from the ISESCO, logo from its members, people would not have any doubt whether this Aps is valid, real or whether it has been verified by Muslim scholars. We have done it and continue with all the Muslim scholars all over Singapore to come up with programme learning Qur’an within 48 hours.”

Jamiyah Singapore is an Islamic society which has been in existence for 81 years. Mr. Yunos expressed his hope to get the support, the endorsement, from ISESCO and all its members.”

Recommendations

We are asking ISESCO to teach Arabic for non-Arabic speakers in collaboration with Ibne Sina Institute in Leeds/Leon.

We are asking ISESCO for the 14^th meeting of the leaders of the Islamic Councils collaborating with their head office also asking the Vatican to collaborate with ISESCO.

We are also asking ISESCO to have the 9^th meeting in the Caribbean and Latin America in the Republic of Guinea during 2014 to study the activation of Latin America.

The conference thanks Jamiyah Singapore for their centre promoting Islam asking their representative to collaborate with the ISESCO for scholars.

We are asking ISESCO and all other organisations to have initiative called Muslim Makers of Peace.

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