islam today - July 2016 - issue 37

issue 37 vol. 4 July 2016

islam today

 Farewell to Ramadan  ‘Personhood, virtue and moral cultivations'  Imam Khomeini & the Status of Women

Contents

islam today issue 37 vol. 4 July 2016

islam today magazine is a monthly magazine published by the London based Islamic Centre of England. It focuses on the activities of the communities affiliated to the Centre, reflecting a culture of openness and respect towards other religious communities both Islamic and non.

The magazine is available in paper and digital format.

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M. Saeed Bahmanpour

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Birmangham

Pre-Ramadan religious scholars’ meeting Islamic Centre of England - London

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Personhood, virtue and moral cultivation

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Imam Khomeini and the Status of Women

A Christian-Muslim workshop - Germany

19th International 'Imam Khomeini Conference' Islamic centre of England

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Farewell to Ramadan

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Passing Away of a Pious Academician

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Art

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Teaching with Ethics

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A journey to Chile

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Conscience vs the might of the state

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Diet & mental health

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Children Corner

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What & Where

Contact us Information

Shi s and Sunni scholars keep up the momentum

by Dr Mohammad Ali Shomali

Tribute to Hujjatul-Islam wal-Muslimin Dr Muhammad Jafar Elmi

by Moriam Grillo

MSEN

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Disclaimer: All information in this magazine is verified to the best of the authors’ and the publisher’s ability.

However, islam today shall not be liable or responsible for loss or damage arising from any users’ reliance on information obtained from the magazine.

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Hujjatul-Islam Sayyed Mohammad Razavi’s visit to Chile

by Revd Frank Julian Gelli

by Dr Laleh Lohrasbi

by Ghazaleh Kamrani

Listing of events

Shi s and Sunni scholars keep up the momentum Sunday the 5th of June 2016, a group of Shi scholars were invited to a meeting by their Sunni counterparts in Birmingham. The Sunni group was made up of leaders of different denominations in the UK. The attendees described the atmosphere of meeting as very brotherly and welcoming.

The meeting addressed issues of unity and cooperation among Muslims underscoring the need for bridge building based upon great commonalities that exists among them.

The event was the follow up to an number of previous encounters, one in Birmingham in 2004 during a celebration of the Milad ul Nabi and the other one in Qum

(2016) where a group of Sunni scholars were invited to visit the country and meet Shi a religious personalities as well as leaders of the Sunni minority that live there. (See islam today issue May 2016 issue 35 ). While Sunni and Shi a scholars meet regularly at local level, the meeting on Sunday 5th of June saw the participation of scholars not only from Birmingham but also from Manchester, Watford, Wolverhampton and London.

Further meeting are expected to take place in the near future including an event open to the public too to be held at a Birmingham mosque.

Pre-Ramadan religious scholars’ meeting Shi a scholars from across the UK meet at the Islamic Centre in the customary pre - Month of Ramadan meeting.

The objective of these meetings is for scholars and community preachers to discuss the most pressing issues faced by the congregations and to set guideline on topic to be discussed during lectures and talks given throughout the month of Ramadan.

In this year event for the first time after the welcoming speech by Hujjatul-Islam Dr Shomali the participants were divided into three special committees in three different languages. One committee discussed the importance and

methodologies of interfaith. Hujjatul-Islam Dr Shomali gave the main presentation. A second committee was set to discuss legal issue related to Islamic centres and mosque in relation to regulations and new political development. A third commission discussed various suggestions for topic to be covered by speakers in lectures during the month of Ramadan. A number of scholars provided reports and presentations. Spokesmen for each committee addressed the participants after they all reconvened in the main hall to discuss the outcome of each committee.

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Report

Personhood, virtue and moral cultivation A Christian - Muslim workshop

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he first two days of June 2016 saw the University of Paderborn in Germany host a two-day workshop titled ‘Personhood, virtue and moral cultivation; a Christian-Muslim workshop’. This is part of a collaborative project by which the participants hope to enhance the mutual understanding of Shiite, Sunni, Catholic, Lutheran and Anglican moral traditions and the moral visions that these different traditions have formed, and also to explore the potential of these traditions to meet challenges that contemporary society is confronted with.

Strong academic relations already exist between the Seminary of Qum and universities in Germany, especially Paderborn University. A number of regular visits and discussions involving PhD students, lecturers and postgraduate students from different German institutions and the Qum’s Seminary have taken place.

Recently the University of Paderborn has also launched a department of Islamic Studies, offering degree courses. The German academic system entails that any religious academics who are employed by universities should be approved by a recognised religious establishment. In the case of a Muslim lecturer they should be approved by the

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Muslim Council of the particular area or region. This applies also to representatives of other religions. So if a Jewish person wants to teach Judaism they should be approved by the Jewish Council of the area. There are currently three students from Qum studying for PhD and another Muslim lady undertaking post - doctoral research at Paderborn University.

This year the coordinator of Muslim Shia representation was Dr Javadi from the University of Qum while Dr Schmidt was the organiser from the German side. Among the participants there was also Professor Klaus von Stosch, Deputy Head of the department of Catholic theology. He is a Catholic philosopher with knowledge of Islamic Philosophy. He currently supervises Iranian students.

Of the fourteen participants seven were representing Shi’a Islam, five from Qum, one from Mashhad and Dr Shomali from London. Other participants were Prof. George Pattison (Glasgow), Dr Amber Griffioen (Konstanz), Andrew Massena and Bethany Slater (Boston), Dr Tuba Isik (Paderborn) the Sunni scholar who is currently conducting post-doctoral studies and finally Prof. Jochen Schmidt (Paderborn).

Presentations were about ethics and virtues of ethics. Every

side presented a paper and the other side had one person to respond and vice versa. Shi'a presentations were well received and sessions involved intense questions and answers. In addition to the presentation the delegates had many other informal discussions, including the planning for the next meeting which, God willing, will be held in Iran on ‘Truthfulness’, considered by Dr. Shomali as one of the most fundamental topics for discussion . Participants’ papers will be published as a journal at a later date.

In his presentation Dr Shomali said: “With an objective to understand the core of Shi a Islam, the attention should be given to three major elements in a belief system. These are rationality, spirituality and social justice. Some people may have one or two but what gives you a balanced understanding of reality is a combination of the three”. Dr Shomali clarified that; “…everybody can have these virtues but Shi a Islam scholars have been consistent throughout history in using these three elements.”

While briefly describing all three elements, Dr. Shomali places his focus on spirituality.

He explained: “For Shi a Muslims, spirituality is very important. Religion is not just about performing rituals but it involves the intellect and the heart also. Spirituality is an essential part of a religious life”. Dr Shomali has been lecturing about spirituality to Muslims and non-Muslims for many years. After giving a basic framework for achieving spirituality according to the teachings of Shi a Islam he referred the audience to his book ‘Self-development’ where he has given a breakdown on how to embark on the path of spirituality .

Dr Shomali clarified that the spirituality starts with yaqzah (awakening). To begin the journey into spirituality a person should first be awake he added. He further explained how ghafla (heedlessness or inattentiveness) has been considered

by Muslims as a main obstacle. He acknowledges that some people consider yaqzah as the first station of the journey and some say it is ‘zero’ station since it is only after that the journey starts.

Dr Shomali continued by stating that after awakening comes ma'rifat al-nafs (self-knowledge).

He further elaborated on the significance of self-knowledge saying it is connected to ma'rifatullah (knowledge of God).

“If you don’t know God you will forget yourself”, explained Dr Shomali.

“So now that you are awake, and

know yourself – knowing oneself, does not mean to know biographical data – but to know your potential, your talents, your capacity that God has put in us, then follows ‘self-care’”, said Dr Shomali.

“At the stage of self-care one has to work on one’s belief, action, the qualms of one’s heart, and try to keep close to God so that process never stops. So you cannot say I finished one stage and start another. All the stages require continuous attention. We divide these elements just to understand them better otherwise one does not finish and another starts”; explained Dr Shomali. He reminded the audience of the importance of not having bad feelings in the hearts as these will decrease the value of our good deeds and actions.

He further explained that among the good virtues and qualities of the heart some are more important than others, such as love, compassion but most important in Islam is commitment to the truth. He reiterated how he underlines this point when he teaches ethics to the Hawza students.

He said: “I believe that based on Qur’an and traditions, the most important thing is sidq (truthfulness) and commitment to haq (the truth) - all else emanates from this. He pointed that love for God should lead to love for the sake of God, and that a sign of getting closer to God is that you start loving other people. If you get closer to God your relationship with others will be improved.”

Dr Shomali quoted an Islamic tradition which says: ‘if you sort everything between you and God, everything between you and people will be sorted out by God.’ Dr Shomali concluded with a few statements on love for God saying that some people want to possess God which is wrong, as one should rise to God. One should be possessed by God. We should have a Godly vision instead of bringing God to our own level. 

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Conference

Imam Khomeini & the Status of Women The 19th International conference on Imam Khomeini (The founder of the Islamic Republic of Iran) was held at the Islamic Centre of England (ICE) on 4th June 2016

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or almost three decades, the demise of Ayatollah Roohulla Mousavi Khomeini – the founder and spiritual leader of the Islamic Revolution – has been marked by conferences and discussions, in which many international speakers have addressed different aspects of his personality and his views.

This year the 19th International conference on Imam Khomeini was held at the Islamic Centre of England.

Hujjat ul-Islam Dr Mohammad Ali Shomali, the head of the ICEL, emphasised the lofty status of women in Islam and in the speeches and declaration of Imam Khomeini. Dr Shomali began by comparing the status of women before the advent of Islam and afterwards. ‘A girl having no love even in the heart of her own father in the Jahiliyya period reached a point where the Messenger of God used to stand up [out of respect and love] before Hazrat Fatima(sa) [his daughter] and out of respect, he would call her the Mother of Her Father (Umm Abiha)’. He added that Imam Khomeini would ignore the edicts of the conservative clerics in favour of bringing about more participation of women. ‘I remember there was a much respected scholar who had mystical leanings. He wrote an essay in which he said women should not serve in the parliament. But this was not the idea of Imam Khomeini.

Women were allowed to serve in the Parliament, judiciary, army and police force,’ Dr Shomali added.

He said; Imam Khomeini would almost equate women with the Holy Qur’an in some of his writings. ‘Imam Khomeini said that the Holy Qur’an builds the character of the human beings and women build the character of human beings, in effect equating women with the Holy Qur’an.’

He concluded by stating that a number of factors influenced Imam Khomeini’s position on women. ‘I think his understanding of Islamic philosophy, mysticism, and shari’a in its enlightened form played a significant role in his

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approach. Finally being looked after as a child by his great aunt following the martyrdom of his father really influenced his views on women,’ he said.

Hujjatul-Islam Abbas de Palma from Italy stated that the Islamic Revolution in Iran introduced the Italian people to a new type of revolution. ‘Many people in Italy saw a revolution in which demonstrators were chanting “God is Great!” and they were not protesting for bread or other material things,’ he said. De Palma added: ‘We needed a revolution in which people would return to the purpose of the creation. God says: “I did not create the human beings and the jinns except for worshipping me.”'

He added that Imam Khomeini led this revolution so that human beings would return to the purpose of their creation and would fashion their lives on the basis of spirituality.

Umm Farwa, from Labaik Ya Zahra Foundation, said in her address that ‘Imam Khomeini was the greatest personality of the 20th century. He spoke like a prophet with the people.

He should never be compared with the average person. He was a far-sighted, progressive, multi-faceted leader.’

Dr Mahnaz Haidarpour, a university lecturer, said Imam Khomeini fully appreciated the role that women play in infusing the fabric of family with love and kindness. She quoted Imam Khomeini saying: ‘The kindness seen in women is specific to them and men do not have such sentiments.’ She also quoted him saying: ‘God Almighty has permeated His Mercy in the heart of women in such a way that it cannot be described and none except mothers can understand this.’

Rodney Shakespeare, a barrister and social activist, stated in his lecture that he visited Iran recently and was full of

admiration for the massive social participation of Iranian women, especially in the academic world. He said: ‘In one word, the message of Imam Khomeini was political independence. One of the ways that Iran can achieve this independence would be through utilising the existing resources and women, as half of the society constitutes half of Iran’s resources.’

The talks were followed by showing a documentary which celebrated the achievements of Iranian women in the past three decades. The documentary stated that in 2014 women constituted 59.04 percent of those who took part in university entrance examinations across the nation.

Mr Jalal Fairouz, former MP from Bahrain, recounted anecdotes from the life of Imam Khomeini, showing how he interacted with members of his family based on love and kindness. The Imam would never issue orders to his wife.

Dr Amina Inloes, the executive editor of the Journal of Shi’a Islamic Studies, praised Imam Khomeini as a man of action and resolve. ‘Faced with challenges, Imam Khomeini rose up to deal with them. He rose up in the same manner that the Messenger of God rose up,’ she told the audience. She added that one of the achievements of Imam Khomeini was to bring about massive participation of women despite reluctance in certain quarters.

Ms Nicole Correri, from the United States, said that Imam Khomeini was keen on seeing more women’s participation.

‘As a leader, Imam Khomeini addressed the women of his society and even later stated that women were more active in defending the revolution than men,’ she said. She reminded the audience that from the advent of Islam women were active both in politics and business. ‘Hazrat Khadija showed that women can be both good merchants and good mothers and wives,’ she said.

Zahra al-Alawi, a presenter with Ahlulbayt TV, criticised the Western media for their wrong portrayal of Muslim women and suggested that the new generation of Muslim women living in the West has been able to debunk such stereotypes. ‘Some of the people who were calling our live show were non-Muslims and were surprised to find that there are articulate Muslim women fully capable of defending their own views on a live programme,’ she added.

She also added the best way to know Imam Khomeini is to read his writings which contain his views.

The conference concluded by showing a documentary about an affectionate letter Imam Khomeini wrote to his wife. 

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Faith

Farewell to the month The following is an extract from a talk by Hujjatul-Islam Dr M A Shomali on the end of the month of Ramadan based on a supplication of Imam Zainul Abedeen(a) This month stood among us in a standing place of praise, accompanied us with the companionship of one approved, and profited us with the most excellent profit of the world's creatures”. (Fom a supplication of Imam Zainul Abedeen(a))

This month which was with us for twenty-nine or thirty days, is now about to leave us. It is time for us to go back and see how this guest treated us. Imagine you have guests for a month. Soon after they are gone you go home and go to the room where your guest was staying in, and you feel their absence, their empty space. You remember the wonderful time you had with them during their stay. You remember the good times, their kindness. There are people, who we never get bored with no matter how long they stay with us as they are gentle and good company. Imam Sajjad(a) says: “... the month of Ramadan was staying with us in a very great way, and it was a very good companion for us, a very good friend.” This is the example of the month of Ramadan.

This month enables us to benefit more than any other time.

But how much we have earned in this month?

“Then it parted from us at the completion of its time, the end of its term, and the fulfilment of its number”.

When the time finishes, the guest leaves us, because they have a limited time – they cannot stay forever. The same goes for Ramadan. We soon realise how quickly the month of Ramadan has finished.

“So we bid farewell to it with the farewell of one whose parting pains us, whose leaving fills us with gloom and loneliness, and to whom we have come to owe a safeguarded claim, an observed inviolability, and a discharged right”.

We are saying goodbye to the month of Ramadan - the one whose departure is very heart-breaking., and this is bothering us. It puts us in deep grief, makes us lonely, we will miss the month of Ramadan. But of course we will always remain in debt to the month of Ramadan, and we feel protective towards the honour and dignity of the month.

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“We say: Peace be upon thee, O greatest month of God! O festival of His friends”.

With only a few days left, we are saying goodbye to this month: “Peace be upon you, oh greatest month of God”. You are the greatest month of God; you are the feast and the banquet of the friends of God. There are people who are weak in their faith; they count the days to see when the month of Ramadan finishes. This should not be the mentality of God’s friends. In contrast, from the middle of the month they get worried and anxious that soon Ramadan is going to leave them.

“Peace be upon thee, just as thou hast entered upon us with blessings and cleansed us of the defilement of offences”!

Another day passes. We say, Peace be with you. You came and brought us lots of gifts of barakah. Let’s remind ourselves the hadith of the Prophet: “the month of Ramadan has approached you with blessing, mercy and forgiveness.”

When a guest comes, he brings gifts and souvenirs.

Ramadan also brought with itself lots of blessings, and when Ramadan passes, it removed and washed away all the dirt – as if a good friend comes around and stays with us but also helps us in our daily chores. When they leave our house is in a better position. This is the example of the month of Ramadan.

“Peace be upon thee - Thou art not bid farewell in annoyance, nor is thy fasting left in weariness”!

We say goodbye to Ramadan, but not because we have become tired of it. This farewell is only because we know that it cannot stay for longer.

“O God, bless Muhammad and his Household, redress our calamity at [the loss of] our month...”!

At the end of Ramadan we send salutations to the Prophet and his progeny, and ask God to compensate us for our musibah (calamity) because we have lost the month of

of Ramadan

Ramadan. This is a musibah. When we lose a relative, or a friend, we have majalis, or mourning; we dress in black. For the month of Ramadan it should be the same, if not more.

The Imam says, “O God, this is a musibah that month of Ramadan has left us”.

“Bless us in this day of our festival and our fastbreaking”.

picture by Taraneh Eskandari

We are compensated for the loss of Ramadan with the festivity of Eid. We are granted a way to fill the cavity which is created by the departure of the month of Ramadan in our lives. When our dear guest wants to leave, we escort them but with eyes filled with tears we see them go and disappear.

This guest however has left us a letter and some gifts, so we read the letter and examine the gifts with pleasure and happiness. We enjoy the gifts as it helps us to forget just for a while that our guest is not with us anymore but our guest knows about our pain after his departure.

This is the example of the month of Ramadan. The joy and the gift that the month of Ramadan has bestowed upon us to compensate for its leaving is Eid ul-Fitr. 

Eid Mubarak

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Obituary

Passing Away of a Pious Academician Hujjatul-Islam Dr Muhammad Jafar Elmi, the founder and former principal of the Islamic College of Advanced Studies in London, passed away at the age of 55 in North London on 29th May 2016 after a long battle with cancer. Reza Murshid gives a brief account of his achievements

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efore coming to London in the mid-1990s to establish the Islamic College, Dr Elmi studied Islamic philosophy, ‘Irfan, Islamic jurisprudence, and Quranic sciences at the Hawza of Qum under such luminaries as Ayatollah Mirza Javad Tabrizi, Ayatollah Abdollah Javadi Amoli and Ayatollah Hossein Wahid Khorasani. His areas of expertise and interest included Islamic philosophy, interpretation of the Qur’an, and modern Islamic thought.

He also served as the Director of Islamic Thought Foundation (Bonyad-i Andisheh Islami) in Tehran in the early 1990s and was influential in increasing the quantity and enhancing the quality of the English magazines published by that foundation, including the Echo of Islam magazine.

Dr. Elmi completed his PhD at the University of Birmingham with an exposition of the philosophical hermeneutics of ‘Allama Muhammad Husayn Tabataba’i, the renowned Shi‘a philosopher and exegete.

Dr Elmi became the driving force for the nascent Islamic College for Advanced Studies (ICAS) taking it from strength to strength. The institution he established with the help of like-minded colleagues initially offered A-Level courses to Muslim students from different walks of life in north west London. The A-Level programme was offered in conjunction with the College of North West London. Many successful

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Muslim entrepreneurs and professionals working in London today received their A-Level education in that old listed building on Willesden High Road at the corner of St Andrews Road.

But soon the institution rebranded itself as The Islamic College and expanded its activities to become a fully accredited academic institution offering BA, MA and Professional Doctorate in collaboration with Middlesex University.

Simultaneously with its rapid growth as an academic institution, the College also began offering a Hawza programme in English, recruiting some of the brightest minds in the UK and Europe who, for the most part, now serve as ‘alims, public speakers, TV presenters and religious leaders here and abroad.

Dr Elmi himself taught a number of modules at the College and the Hawza including modules on the Qur’an and hadith sciences, Islamic philosophy and Neo-Mu‘tazilite thought.

He served as the College principal during two periods, from 1998 to 2007 and from December 2011 to 2015. After his first stint as principal, he returned to Iran and served as one of the three editors-in-chief of The Encyclopaedia of the World of Islam (EWI), a mammoth research and translation undertaking that introduced different entries of Danishnamih-yi Jahan-i Islam to the English-speaking world. The entries, published by EWI Press as independent

-Co-author of Kitabshinasi-yi Jami‘-i Qur’an (A Comprehensive Bibliography of the Qur’an), Tehran: Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance, 4 vols. 2003.

-‘Bar-rasi va Naqd-i Nazariyih-yi Fadl al-Rahman dar BazSazi-yi Ijtihad dar Din’ (A Critical Study of Fazlur Rahman’s Views on Religious Reformation in Islam) in Journal of Political Science, Qum: Baqir al-Ulum University Press, Spring 2007, vol 37, pp. 71-124.

Man of Piety and Knowledge The aim and motto of the institution that Dr Elmi established was ‘Islamic Education in an Islamic Environment’. It is in this institution that during the Salat times at noon all classes are suspended and students and lecturers attend the prayer hall for congregational prayer.

The institution reflects two aspects of the character of the late Dr Elmi himself. He was both a pious man and a man of knowledge, a man concerned with the Hereafter and a man preoccupied with the challenges posed by modern academia to religion.

titles, include Politics & Political Parties, Hadith, Sufism, Tafsir, Hawza-yi ‘Ilmyiyya, History and Historiography, Pahlawi Dynasty, Education in Islamic Civilisation, Qur’anic Commentaries, and Muslim Organisations in the Twentieth Century: A Survey.

He also served for a while as Vice-President for Research at the Islamic Culture and Communications Organisation, and as the Vice-Principal for Research and Vice-Principal for Education at Al-Mostafa University.

Dr Elmi also served as the editor-in-chief of the Journal of Shi’a Islamic Studies, the first peer-reviewed journal focusing on research on Shi’a Islam. Among the works that Dr Elmi himself authored are the following: -Co-author of Fihrist-i Mawzu’i-yi Asfar (A Thematic Index to Mulla Sadra’s al-Hikmah al-Muta’aliyyah fi al-Asfar alArba‘ah), Tehran: Hikmat, 1996.

-‘Word of God & Perception of Man: Divine Revelation & Human Interpretation’, in A Catholic-Shi’a Dialogue: Studies in Theology and Spirituality, ed. A. O’Mahony, W. Peterburs, M. Shomali, London: Fox Communications & Publications, 2003.

While being fully grounded in his faith, he kept himself wellinformed about what the adversaries of religion wrote in their academic writings. He was well aware of the discussions that aimed at weakening the faith of Muslim academicians and attempted to respond to them in his lectures, discussions and writings.

It was his piety that helped him in his battle with cancer, during the tribulations of chemotherapy when one is suspended between the world of the living and the world of the dead. He accepted his fate without any resentment and spoke of his impending departure from the world of the living with an amazing serenity.

In one of his last encounters with a good friend, with a smile on his face, he intimated that he was ready to go to the next world to be with the Ahlulbayt(as). In one of his last communications three days before he passed away, he wrote: ‘I believe that today or tomorrow might be my last day in this evanescent world (hayat-i fani). I look forward to seeing you in the presence of Divine Justice (bi-omid-i didar dar mahzar-i ‘adl-i ilahi), benefiting from the saving grace and forgiveness of the Lord (wa bahre-mandi az amurzesh wa maghfirat-i Haqq).

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Art Art Editor Moriam Grillo

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ast month we looked at the power of story.

This month, with Al-Quds Day close to our hearts, we're remembering Palestine. Just weeks after the gatherings to remember the 68th anniversary of its illegal occupation, the story of the Palestinian struggle is something that weighs heavy on the heart. As we leave this most sacred month, I pray for ease after difficulty and relief after distress for our brothers and sisters.

Theatre Scenes from 68 years by Hannah Khalili "Watching this play, one cannot help but be moved.

Witnessing the multitudinous stories that portray the shifting nature of the country through its tumultuous battle against occupation hurts." - Moriam Grillo

The word theatre is defined in ancient Greek as 'house of God'. Theatrical performance was once thought to depict, through metaphor, allegory and shadow play, the meaning of life, with the unfolding drama being overseen or witnessed by the Divine consciousness.

The play, 'Scenes from 68 years’ toys with the literality of this admirably well. It offers us a microscopic insight into a macrocosmic quandary: 68 years of occupation in a little over 68 minutes. The playwright Hannah Khalili competently pens a juxtaposition of dismembered scenes which time has all but forgotten. One scene unfolds seamlessly after the other even it has occurred a decade before or after. By doing so, the theme of ongoing struggle is made all the more apparent. A solitary beat connects one vignette to the next, haranguing the attention of its audience to be on guard and ready for what is to come. In conversation with Khalili, I was eager to understand what inspired this depiction.

What inspired you to write the play?

My last play, Plan D, told the story of what happens to one rural, everyday family when great forces move around them.

It was based on testimonies of people who lived through 1948. During and after that show many people came and told me their stories, and conversations I'd not had before opened up in my own family. It is all of these tales that led to me writing Scenes from 68 Years.

Are there aspects of your own personal experience within these stories?

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Mainly these are the stories of other people and family members - though I think it is impossible for a writer not to put their personal experience into their writing some way or another. And that's true here. I, of course, exist in parts of the play.

Each vignette is presented in a non-chronological order, why is this?

The writing of all these scenes was very easy - they came naturally and easily. The difficulty came when trying to order the play. In a traditional play you have one character on a quest and there's a clear way to structure such a piece. This is very different, but I wanted to make sure the emotional journey was clear and that there was a story climax at the right moment and pathos and so on. As such the play went through many different drafts through development and workshops. I never actually thought to put it in chronological order. And in fact the dates of the scenes which you are given on screens in this production are not vital for a production. The point is that since 1948 Palestinians have been in stasis because of the predicament in which they have been placed.

There is a rhythm to the play, a beat that on the one hand comforts as a directive, but is preceded by discomfort. Is this what you hoped for?

Yes! It's something that is hard to write on the page, and for people to understand or feel when they read the play - that is why this production is so gratifying. The director, designer, crew and actors all understood what was in the writing and have brought it out to perfection.

One comes away from the play affected by its concentrated nature. Has writing the play changed you?

It's been a long process that started six years ago... so I suppose it must have changed me, though it's hard to pin point how exactly. People's reactions have really encouraged me and made me confident in human beings and their ability to be open and listen and care. Also, despite the fragmented form, people seem to be able to follow and engage with the stories. That's served to give me faith in myself, audiences (whatever or whoever they may be) and theatre as a form in general.

everyone, whether this be through poetic expression of words, painting, music, or creative performance.

Ultimately Russell's hope is that her work inspires and encourages others to think more deeply about the concept of oneness and unity since she believes such connections aid heightened spiritual awareness and progression.

Russell is currently working on a new exhibition entitled the 'Perception of Unity.'

Photography - Sara Russell "I believe that images are powerful instigators of emotion and I intend always to capture such moments that can tell a story and create room for expansion of inspiration."

- Sara Russell I have interviewed Sara Russell for both television and print. She is a most inspiring artist whose photographic documentation speaks volumes. As the old adage goes ‘a picture paints an thousand words', and the words that Russell's photos convey reflect the depth and currency of her personal reflections on life and spirituality.

Russell initially studied Art & Design before moving on to painting abstract narratives on canvas and experimenting with mixed media to create textile aesthetic designs.

The objective of this body of work will be to explore the concept of mutual connectives and the endless perspectives and perceptions that our minds consider consciously or subconsciously.

“I believe that there is sometimes if not always, an element of deception as well as a higher truth evident behind all photographs. This has taught me the importance of perception and selective perspective, the power in contrast, light and dark and the balance being portrayed in the detail, providing depth." Sara Russell

In conversation, Russell recounted that from an early age, she enjoyed documenting the mundane. It was only four years ago that she decided to take a photography course, which she describes as a journey of discovery in which she felt excited about the prospects of going back to exploring and documenting work with the intention of becoming a professional. Russell is fundamentally self-taught, as is graffiti artist Muhammad Ali, who was recently awarded an MBE in the Queen’s birthday honours for services to Art. To further her journey in self knowledge, Russell embarked on trip to Palestine. Travelling as part of an official delegation, Russell was asked to document the experience.

The exhibition that followed, entitled 'Another Day', contained a selection of images that conveyed the human struggle of Palestinians under an oppressive apartheid regime. Russell feels that these images reflect the hopes and fears to which we can all relate. Adding that the experience of visiting Palestine has continued to remind her of the ultimate task at hand, to serve Truth by all means and allow faith in God's Justice and in His Oneness to influence every course of action.

Russell believes the Arts and creativity are an essential tool for expression which encourage reflective dialogue. She adds that art and creativity should be explored by

An exhibition of Sara Russell's work will be on show at Living Islam festival in Lincolnshire 20-31 July 

Moriam Grillo is an international artist.

She holds Bachelor degrees in Photography & Film and Ceramics, her current projects include a commission for the Queen Elizabeth hospital in Birmingham.

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Life & Community

MSEN

Teacher Training on Ethics was held at the Islamic College London on Saturday 4th June 2016. This was the third of a series of teacher training sessions that took place this academic year. Teachers from a wide variety of weekend and weekday schools (Madrassahs) attended. In total around 80 teachers participated and benefitted from the training. The programme commenced with recitation of the Holy Qur’an by Sayed Jalal Ma'soomi.

Teachers were welcomed by the host, Sister Asma Hussain, a primary teacher who volunteers as a Madressah teacher at Idara Jafferiya. She provided the briefing of the programme for participants, shared the schedule and introduced the guest speakers.

The keynote Speaker, Hujjatul-Islam Dr Sayed Fadhil Milani, delivered an inspirational talk on the topic of the Importance and place of akhlaq (ethics) in Islamic education. The feedback from the participants was excellent with comments on how much they had benefitted from his speech.

Syed Fadhil Milani

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emphasised the importance of akhlaq with references to the Holy Qur’an and the traditions.

This was followed by the first of three interactive sessions; ‘The requirements of an ideal akhlaq teacher’, by Hujjatul-Islam Dr Mohammad Ali Shomali. He emphasised the importance of akhlaq which a teacher should portray on a day to day basis. It has to be of the highest standard so that this inspires the students to be like their teacher. He also spoke about choosing a teacher who is recognised in society for their good akhlaq. While advising teachers he suggested that learning objectives should be repeated through different mediums such as paint, drama, story, poetry etc in order for children to gain a deeper understanding.

The second interactive session was on ‘Classroom behaviour management’. This was delivered by HujjatulIslam Dr Mohammad Zakaria. In this session Dr Zakaria discussed child-centred learning. He emphasised on

Teaching with Ethics

getting to know the children as a whole in order to develop a good teacher-student relationship.

He also advised that teachers should know and call children by their names and communicate using gestures to develop a strong bond. Furthermore, he added that in relation to children, we should focus on enhancing positive behaviour.

This was followed by a series of presentations by teachers across a number of Madressahs who were required to share good practice by delivering an interactive and creative lesson they had done with their students. Each presentation was moderated by Hujjatul-islam Muhammadian, who gave constructive feedback after each session.

Idara e Jafferiya - Sister Tahira Ali presented a lesson on the ‘Mercy of Allah’ where she shared her lesson as well as ‘mercy cards’ where children could recognise and check their acts of mercy in their daily life.

Muslim Community of Essex - Sibar Ali presented a lesson on the ‘Ayah of the week’ – “put on your best clothes to go to mosque". She planned the lesson for 5-7 year olds by providing props and then allowing children to choose appropriate clothing and items used how to look and keep clean.

Masjid e Ali Education Luton - Sister Shaheen Haider and Sister Nazira Moosa presented a lesson on the importance of dua (supplication). The lesson was presented in a child-friendly manner introducing the lesson with bird

talk followed by presents given to children for better engagement and outcome.

Iranian School (Wise Academy) - brother Sayed Jaffar elaborated on children's cognitive development and how akhlaq and aqaid (beliefs) should be taught accordingly.

Islamic Centre of England - Sister Muna Hassan shared her experiences of how to teach akhlaq to older children. She also showed her structure of lesson plans as an example as to how lessons should be structured step by step.

Hujjatul-islam Muhammadian provided teachers with individual constructive feedback of their presentations.

He encouraged teachers to use a variety of methods to deliver lessons and particularly emphasised the importance of using body language and age appropriate vocabulary, as well as interactive activities that have better engagement and outcome for the children's learning of akhlaq, to enable this concept be embedded in their daily lives. He appreciated the effort that the teachers had put in to prepare and deliver lessons in their madressahs.

The programme ended with a closing speech by the president of MSEN, Dr Azhar Hassan Raza. He thanked the honourable guests and the teachers who had participated in the training. He also outlined the upcoming MSEN events and projects, which include a youth camp in Iran in July 2016 as well as the new MSEN syllabus which will be available for schools to use in the near future. 

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A journey to Chile Hujjatul-Islam Sayyed Mohammad Razavi’s recent visit to Chile reveals some of the most important needs of the growing Shi’a Muslim community of that country

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islamtoday islam today July June 2016 2016

What was the purpose of your visit to this South American country?

T

his was my second visit to Santiago, Chile. The first time I was invited to give sermons for the commemorations of Ashura during the first 10 days of Muharram. However it soon became clear that my engagement there would be extended to other activities besides reciting sermons. On the first day of my arrival I was requested to attend a seminar at the Centre of International Studies at University of Santiago entitled ‘The Modern World and Harmonious Living in a Multi-Faith Society’..

This occasion gave me the opportunity to be introduced to many Chilean theologians and university lecturers. My participation in this event led to other meetings in churches and educational establishments. Due to the short length of my first trip I was unable to accept other invitations so it was suggested that I make another trip to Chile. Six months later I went back during the holy month of Rajab in 2016.

This time a schedule of meetings was prearranged that included visit to schools and universities as well as the local communities in Santiago, Cabrero and other parts of the country. I met church leaders and some political officials such as the Intendente of Magallanes, the representative of the Chilean Antarctica region and the representatives of the Chilean Foreign Office. I was invited to go to Antarctica to meet scientists who are engaged in research and among them were some Muslims who often had religions queries.

For many of these officials this was the first time they had met a Shi’a religious scholar.

Could you briefly describe the make-up of the Chilean Islamic community?

I

was told there are fourty million migrants of Arab descent living in South America. These are mainly Syrian, Palestinians and Lebanese Muslims. In Chile, Shi’a Muslims are comprised of Zaidi, Bora, Ismaili and Ithna 'Asharis (Twelvers). These are descendents of immigrants who migrated due to upheavals in their countries and settled in Chile 130 years ago. The early migrants were single men who later got married to local women. Due to the absence of scholars and the limited level of religious education they gradually lost their identity and by the next generation, they were Christianised.

Today, thanks to developments in communication technology, people are learning and rediscovering their ancestors’ ethnic cultural and religious origins and wish ever more to reconnect to it.

On my last trip I managed to help two families to get closer to their Islamic roots, and naturally we opened the door for many more. The basic programme consists in visiting the area, giving talks and trying to reconnect people to their original identity.

In general how is the situation of Shi’a Muslims there?

Are there any Shi’a organisations in any part of Chile?

T

here are many communities of Muslims and a few organisations but they need Islamic education. The one I was invited to visit is basically run by converts to Islam. There are around 100 Lebanese, mostly recent immigrants, around 100 Afghani refugees, and at least 60 Pakistanis.

There have been some visiting scholars, mostly from Iran, Iraq and Lebanon who visit but never a permanent presence.

How do you describe the attitude of local people towards Muslims and Islam?

I

n one of the areas in northern part of Santiago there is a mosque on top of a hill next to another hill where there is a Church. The mosque was built by

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Moroccans and it has become an attraction. According to local people at least 200 people visit this mosque every week, tourists and local people alike.

I met some youths when I was there and found them very eager to know more about Islam. They are able to speak in English making it easy to communicate compared with the older generation with whom I had to converse via translators.

What kind of questions would they ask?

E

verything from A-Z. Many were quite surprised in learning about the commonalities that exist between Christianity and Islam. I went to address students at a high-ranking all-girl Catholic School where future leaders are educated. Students had done their homework about Islam. They asked me why Muslims have no single leadership like the Catholics have. I explained that we do have a similar structure with a hierarchy of knowledge. One student said: ‘… you believe in God, you believe in Jesus(a), you believe in Virgin birth, you believe in return of Jesus(a), you believe in the Day of Judgment, you believe in heaven, so what is the difference between Christianity and Islam”?

With regards to the economic community, how did you find it?

T

strength

of

the

he Shia community has deep roots, even though there are many non-practising Muslims. According to the information we have, there are around 60 important landowners originally from Lebanon. There are military commanders in the air force and police who are originally Shia Muslims. There is a Muslim Shia senator; I went to his house as well. In Carperrero, the city he lives in, he owns at least 80% of the farms. Most of this city is owned by his family. There are many Shia Muslims who have a vague idea of who they are and where they come from and would like to rediscover their roots. If we leave them we will lose them forever. These visits are important.

The community has the potential to be self-sufficient. Our responsibility is to provide religious educational services to them for a few years. The community is quite rich; its

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members need encouragement and some expertise in running their establishments. They definitely need schools.

There were many Lebanese who first migrated to Chile, but later due to lack of religious schools and scholars to teach their children then migrated to Brazil.

At the moment how is the political situation in Chile, considering it had a long history of dictatorship?

C

hile looks and feels stable at present. When I was there one of the presidents who took over from Pinochet died and we went to his funeral. I was standing next to his family. I was treated with much respect, as they have reverence for religious personalities and in my case I represented one of the few Muslim scholars present at the funeral.

What are the future plans?

A

trip in Ramadan has already been arranged and I am invited to have Iftar in the Presidential Palace.

We are also looking forward to the possibility of exchanging university lecturers between Iran, Iraq and Chile so they can have Islamic Studies Chairs in Chilean universities.

I have also been requested to go back at least every three months for about two/three weeks each time. There are some other scholars in nearby countries such as Argentina and Brazil. At the moment Sheikh Faisal from Argentina, along with some other visiting scholars and I, look after the Muslim communities’ needs in Chile. Sheikh Ghassan from Lebanon is also due to visit. He is one of the financiers of the organisation that helped the community buy a new centre.

There is an idea to build a unique mosque in the centre of Santiago which could serve as a centre for all the community’s gatherings. This represents a unique opportunity insha-Allah. Hujjatul-Islam Sayyed Mohammad Razavi is the head of the Family Section at the Islamic Centre of England

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CONSCIENCE vs THE MIGHT OF THE STATE

Interfaith

A

re human beings to be ruled by God’s law or by the whims of a despotic monarch? Are men and women like chattels, the property of the State, or are they free souls, responsible to their Maker? Do the claims of a religious conscience sometime take precedence over a citizen’s duty to obey the ruler? The example of Sir Thomas More is a guide to answering these tremendous moral questions.

On the 6th of July 1535 Thomas More, former Lord Chancellor of England, was beheaded on Tower Hill, opposite that grim medieval prison, the Tower of London.

On the scaffold, before being executed, he told the crowd of spectators: ‘I die the King’s good servant, but God’s first!’

Someone called them ‘the most weighty words ever spoken by a man about to die’. Indeed. Especially considering that the victim could have saved his life, if only he had been willing to compromise his Christian conscience. But he did not…

Born in 1478, Thomas More started public life as a lawyer.

He quickly became a favourite of King Henry VIII, who knighted him and sent him on several European embassies.

The King, a vain character who liked to posture as a humanist, admired More’s vast learning and scholarship. He treated Thomas as a personal friend. Many times Henry invited him at court but the wise man had no desire to be a sycophant and declined, until the King himself came uninvited to stay at More’s house at Chelsea. Eventually Henry made Thomas his Lord Chancellor – the rough equivalent of a Prime Minister today. At a time of widespread legal corruption and contrary to usual practice More would accept no bribes from litigants. ‘God has given us another Solomon’, declared a bishop awed by the Chancellor’s incorruptibility.

While the tumults engendered by the Reformation spread around Europe, King Henry had initially assured the Pope of his Catholic orthodoxy. His Chancellor, also a fine theologian, was commissioned to ghost anti-Protestant tracts

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on behalf of his royal master. Fatally, however, as the King became infatuated with Anne Boleyn and craved a divorce from his wife Catherine of Aragon, More fell from grace. He could not accept the dubious scriptural arguments the King advanced for declaring his marriage null and void.

Nonetheless, Henry so admired More’s righteousness and standing with the people that he invited him to his wedding with Anne Boleyn. Thomas, true to his conscience, refused the invitation. He regarded his monarch’s second marriage as adulterous. It would have been sinful for him to approve.

In 1534 King Henry grew increasingly dictatorial. He ordered Parliament to pass the Act of Supremacy. That law granted him and all subsequent monarchs absolute authority and jurisdiction over the English Church. The King was therefore made the supreme Head of the Church of England. (It is, still today, the legal power of the Sovereign in England.) Of course, it was an absurdity. The Bible states clearly that the only Head of the Church is Jesus Christ. Later, under Queen Elizabeth I, the title was changed to that, more modest, of ‘Supreme Governor’.

Thomas More’s conscience prevented him from swearing the oath of assent to the Act of Supremacy. That the King had supreme authority in matters of secular power was not in dispute. But in matters spiritual? Concerning the Word of God and its interpretation? The prerogatives of the Church?

The Sacrament of Marriage? More declared that he knew ‘of no Teacher of the Faith who ever approved that a merely temporal ruler could be a Spiritual Head’. For that opinion he was treated as a traitor and incarcerated in the Tower of London, a long captivity deliberately made harsh in order to break his resolve. His own wife and daughter pleaded with him to take the oath, maybe using the subterfuge of adding mentally ‘as far as lawful’. However the illustrious prisoner’s integrity would not be soiled despite cruel Henry depriving More’s family of their property, so that Lady More had to sell even her personal jewels to pay the exorbitant prison fees.

The King and his servile ministers, including the hideous Thomas Cromwell, Norfolk and Richard Rich, sought to frighten the helpless prisoner with threats of torture but to

no avail. At last they fell back on downright lies. Richard Rich visited More in his cell, pretending to seek his release. Rich later swore that Sir Thomas had told him that Parliament could never make the King supreme over the English Church. In reality, More’s true words had been that ‘Parliament could not make a law so that God should not be God’. Quite a different matter! His sentence to death as traitor in Westminster Hall was therefore tantamount to judicial murder.

Thomas as a young man had felt drawn to the religious life. He had lived with the Carthusians, a monastic community. But God had other plans for him and he became a statesman. All that makes me think of him as a true ‘contemplative in action’. A type of God-shaped human being, both practical and spiritual, a figure much needed in all epochs.

Robert Bolt’s sensitive political play, ‘A Man for All Seasons’, later made into a film, well conveyed the saintliness of Sir Thomas. It is sad to observe that, by contrast, writer Hilary Mantel’s recent novel, ‘Wolf Hall’, offers a perverse and disturbing inversion. Sir Thomas More is portrayed unsympathetically as somewhat narrow and fanatical whilst Cromwell, Henry’s chief henchman and vile persecutor, is whitewashed and

viewed as a commendable character. The TV rendering of the novel also has stressed that distorted take.

Perhaps that is just as well. A decadent and unbelieving age would more naturally be drawn to darkness than to light, wouldn’t it?

In 1935 Pope Pius XI declared Thomas More a saint and martyr. The Church of England’s Lectionary remembers him on July the 6th. Quite appropriate.

Although Henry VIII’s messy divorce provided the occasional pretext for the original separation between Catholicism and Anglicanism, the latter today is ecumenical and far-sighted enough to honour the memory of Sir Thomas More, martyr to his conscience.

The Tudor tyranny has long gone. Monarchs no longer wield effective powers but novel and more insidious forms of state abuse continue to abound in our time as dictatorships but often also under the guise of democratic regimes. It’s a strong reason to treasure the value of the shining example given by that stupendous man of God nearly 500 years ago. Hurrah for Sir Thomas! 

Revd Frank Julian Gelli is an Anglican priest, cultural critic and a religious controversialist, working on religious dialogue.

His last book ‘The Dark Side of England’. An exposé, is available on Amazon Kindle.

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Health Health Editor Laleh Lohrasbi

Diet &

mental health The body of evidence linking diet and mental health is growing at a rapid pace, as well as the impact of diet on short and long-term mental health.

Laleh Lohrasbi explains

W

e all know that there are some foods which are good for reducing cholesterol levels or controlling high blood pressure, or even foods which can help people have stronger bones or hair.

However diet and nutrition have a much bigger role in a person’s life, in both physical and mental aspects.

“You are what you eat", is not just a saying, it is in fact very true. What we eat can determine how we feel but how we feel can also determine what we eat. The body of evidence linking diet and mental health is growing rapidly. As well as its impact on short and long-term mental health, the evidence indicates that food plays an important role in the development, management and prevention of specific mental health problems such as depression, schizophrenia, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and Alzheimer’s disease. People with mental health problems are more likely to have a weight problem; some always feel tired and just not up to any activity while others always feel hungry.

Nearly two thirds of those who do not report daily mental

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health problems eat fresh fruit, fruit juice, fresh vegetables and salad every day, compared with less than half of those who do report daily mental health problems. Those who report some level of mental health problem also eat fewer healthy foods (fresh fruit and vegetables, organic foods and meals made from scratch) and more unhealthy foods (chips and crisps, chocolate, ready meals, sugary drinks and takeaways).

Overconsumption of sugar alone can negatively impact people’s mental health. In a sample of 5,498 youth aged 1516 in Oslo, Norway, researchers found a strong association between sugary soft drink consumption and mental health problems. In a related study among adolescents aged 12-19 in Jiangsu Province, China, researchers found a positive association between consumption of sugary soft drinks and sweet foods and risks for suicidal behaviours. Food and the chemicals in our brains interact to keep us going throughout the day. For example, carbohydrates increase serotonin, a brain chemical that has a calming effect.

Perhaps that's why people often crave carbohydrate-rich

food plays an important role in the development, management and prevention of specific mental health problems such as depression, schizophrenia, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and Alzheimer’s disease.

foods when they are under stress.

Protein-rich foods increase tyrosine, dopamine, and norepinephrine, which help to increase alertness. In addition, certain healthy fats (omega-3 fatty acids) become part of the membranes of brain cells and control many brain processes. Omega-3 fatty acids, which are found in fish and fish oil, are beneficial to neural functioning.

Researchers have found that fish oil may prevent progression of psychosis in high-risk youth aged 13-25.

Vitamin D is another supplement that can positively affect mental wellbeing. Multiple studies have linked vitamin D deficiency to cognitive impairment, depression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia. Therefore, many mental health professionals and physicians recommend a regular intake of vitamin D. A bigger brain means more cells. At about 40- 45, our brains begin to shrink giving rise to some mental health issues like insomnia and Alzheimer’s disease. Studies have shown that people who eat a diet based on colourful plant foods, seafood and whole grains, with the omission of processed foods, have bigger brains at the age of 60 to 65 and their brains shrink at a slower rate.

A high protein diet may also be helpful for ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder). Beans, cheese, eggs, meat, and nuts can be good sources of protein. Eating these kinds of foods in the morning and for after-school snacks improves concentration and possibly makes ADHD medications work for longer. Protein triggers alertnessinducing neurotransmitters in the brain. Depending on their age, children need between 24 to 30 grams of protein a day.

Adults need 45 to 70 grams. A cup of milk or soy milk, one egg, or an ounce of cheese or meat contain seven grams of protein.

While nutrient deficiencies are usually rare certain deficiencies may also have effects on mental health.

Thiamine (vitamin B1), which is found in legumes, some seeds, and fortified grains, is necessary for maintaining energy supplies and coordinating the activity of nerves and

muscles. Thiamine deficiency can therefore lead to weakness, irritability, and depression.

Folate (vitamin B9), which is found in leafy greens, legumes, and fortified grains, is essential for supporting red blood cell production, helping to prevent homocysteine build-up in your blood, and allowing nerves to function properly. Folate deficiency can result in depression, apathy, fatigue, poor sleep, and poor concentration.

Extensive reviews of the benefits of nutrition and diet on mental health suggest that one’s diet should: contain a wide array of multicolour fruits and vegetables, some fish, with preference given to cold deep-seawater fish and reduction of sugary drinks and excess calories,. Implementation of these dietary changes could result in improved mental well-being.

However, before making any dietary changes, speaking with a doctor is recommended. Good nutrition is an important component of an improved mood and an increased sense of wellbeing but it is not a substitute for medical care.

While what we eat can have a significant impact on how we feel, when we eat is equally important. Often the low energy levels that people feel throughout the day are a result of poor meal timing. For example, eating patterns that involve skipping meals may contribute to mood swings by causing fluctuations in blood sugar levels. Food restriction can lead to binge eating, bigger emotional responses, poor concentration, increased stress, and an overall lower sense of well-being. Depression has been shown to develop in people with disordered eating who frequently restrict food.

The optimal way to fuel your body is to space meals and snacks 3 to 4 hours apart and choose a healthy protein and carbohydrate source at each meal. 

Dr Laleh Lohrasbi is a pharmacologist. She has worked as an editor for the medical section of “Hamshahri”, a daily newspaper in Tehran.

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Children Corner

D

ear Children Assalam un Alaikum

I hope you had a nice and fruitful Ramadan and you managed to take advantage of all the blessings of this holy month. It is almost the end of Ramadan and although we are sad that is finishing, we should be happy and hopeful that God has accepted our prayers and worship and that He has destined for us the best that He knows is good for us.

Children, like other months in Islamic calendar, the beginning and the end of the month of Ramadan can only be known by sighting the new moon in the sky. Now in some countries this can be done easily but in some other countries such

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as the UK it is not always possible. Muslims make a special effort to find out for themselves if the moon of the new month can be seen and the end of Ramadan is announced.

As you know, Anbar, the young girl in our story, had decided to start fasting for the first time.

There are now only a few nights left to the end of Ramadan. Anbar’s father, who is a member of the moon sighting committee of the mosque, is trying to see if he can sight the new moon in the sky with the aid of a telescope.

Ghazaleh, our illustrator has captured this event so as to explain how we find out if the month is finished or not. But she has also left some differences in each image for you to have fun in finding them.

Without looking at the answers in the below image, try to find five differences Ghazaleh has made between these two illustrations. ď Ź

Eid ul-Fitr Mubarak

Illustrator Ghazaleh Kamrani

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What & Where Through July

3 July

Through Ramadan

Commentary (Tafseer) of the Holy Qur'an

Al Quds Day 2016

English lecture last 10 days with Sheikh

Conducted by Shaykh M S Bahmanpour

Ahmed Haneef

Dua Abu Hamza

Organised by the Quds Committee of the IHRC, people from all over the country will be uniting for the freedom of the oppressed in Palestine and beyond. The rally will march through the busy streets of London to Grosvenor Square. Speakers include: Michel Warschawski - Israeli Anti-Zionist Activist, Aadam Siciid Muuse - NUS Black Students and Mick Naiper - Scottish PSC.

Recitation of Dua Abu Hamza by Sheikh Hassan Roushandel followed by Iftar.

Venue:Assembly at Duchess Street Time: Starts at 3.00 PM

Venue: Islamic Centre of England, 140 Maida Vale, London W9 1QBMore Tel: 0207 604 5500

1 July

Info: email ashiya@ihrc.org

Venue: Kanoon Towhid, 30-32 Southerton Road, Hammersmith, London, W6 0PH

Building Bridges Shared Spaces Festival Bristol

2 July Ramadan Calligraphy Tour Join the calligraphy tour this Ramadan and delve into something new and exciting whilst helping ‘Orphans Worldwide Campaign’. You will be joined by Samiur Rahman from House of Calligraphy who will guide you on your master class in calligraphy and you get to take away a piece of beautiful artwork created by YOU.

Venue:Hasanat College, Leigh Road, Birmingham, B8 2YH Time: Starts at 10.00 AM Entry: £30 More info: sana.musa@muslimhands.org.uk

The interfaith project Salaam Shalom was founded in 2006 with the intention of promoting greater familiarity and understanding between Muslims and Jews, as well as the wider communities that they are part of. The art exhibition Shared Spaces is a recent offering from the project. The ultimate aim of the project is to promote a more tolerant and socially cohesive society by encouraging dialogue between different communities; Salaam Shalom is proof that the Arts are a fundamental building block in this process.

Venue: Islamic Centre of England, 140 Maida Vale, London W9 1QBm Time: one hour before Iftar, followed by prayers and iftar

Educational programmes during the month of Ramadan 2016 -Qur’an recitation and Islamic Beliefs classes for children -7pm - 9pm (everyday) -Qur’an classes 6pm - 8pm (age 13 -18) -Half Joz Qur’an memorisation age 9 and under (one off session) 2pm - 5pm on 12th -Qur’an reading and Arabic language for Converts (Ladies only) Wednesdays 10am - 13pm Venue: Islamic Centre of England, 140 Maida Vale, London W9 1QBMore Info/enrolment: education@ic-el.com Tel: 0207 604 5516

6 or 7 July* Eid Prayers

Venue:The Grant Bradley Gallery, St Peters

Congregational prayer will be held at the Islamic Centre on the day of Eid ulFitr at 9am Zakat ul-Fitr is £ 4 per person

Court, 1 Bedminster Parade, Bristol, BS3 4AQ Time: 10.00 AM - 5.00 PM info:http://www.sharedspacesfestival.co.uk/

* (Eid day is subject to the sighting of the new crescent moon.)

The 1916 Arab Revolt July 2016 marks the centenary of the Arab Revolt, made famous to British audiences through the involvement of T E Lawrence – Lawrence of Arabia. In this study day a panel of experts will explore the many perspectives on the reasons and course of the Revolt.

Chaired by Professor Eugene Rogan, University of Oxford.

Through 3 July 9 July I AM with Them: A Photographic Manifesto for the Refugees

Venue: The British Museum, BP Lecture Theatre Time:10.30–16.30

Photographer Anne A. R. follows the lives of thousands of refugees - mostly from Syria from the Greek Island of Lesbos en route to Germany, giving voice to her subjects while capturing their fears, courage and hopes.

Anne A. R.’s photographic manifesto restores their identity, dignity and humanity.

Ticket: £28 Ticket Desk: (0)20 7323 8181

Venue: Institut Du Monde Arabe, Paris

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Lotus, sun and Yogi: from the Indus to Islam A gallery talk by Hilary Lewis Ruttley, independent speaker and founding director of Calm Energy Yoga. Gallery talks last 45 minutes. They are given by museum staff or guest speakers and are suitable for all levels of knowledge.

Venue: Room 56, British Museum, Great Russell Street, London WC1B 3DG

Time: 1.15 PM - 2.00 PM

The FOSIS Annual Conference is the largest gathering of Muslim students in the UK - it's the place where the next generation of Muslim leaders come together under one roof for three days to discuss the future of our Federation and our community. This year the conference is set around the Seerah of the Prophet(s) and is titled “The Pathway of the Prophet".

We aim to revive our relationship with the seerah through relating lessons from the seerah to today's society.

pictures and videos to the below email.

The event is free to the public.

Venue:University of Manchester Tickets: £25 More info: http://fosis.org.uk/events/53rd-

Shifting Cultures and Rituals in the Medieval Mediterranean

annual-conference

Dr Esther-Miriam Wagner will be giving a paper called 'Muslim Norms in Jewish Writing'.

Venue: Trafalgar Square, Westminster,

16 July

London, WC2N 5DN Time: 12:00pm to 6:00pm

Venue: Konstanz, Germany More info:

Sky Dive for Africa

http://www.woolf.cam.ac.uk/events/details?

Fee: Free, drop in.

Eid Festival 2016 Eid Festival is a Mayor of London event to mark the end of Ramadan.

Everyone is invited to come and celebrate Eid on Trafalgar Square.

Now in its 11th year, the festival will celebrate and host a variety of special activities for the whole family to enjoy.

Highlights include a food festival where you can sample a host of delicious cuisines from across the world. There will also be a range of fun activities for children like facepainting, henna, calligraphy and story-telling.

Venue: the Brent Cross Shopping Centre, London.

Time: between midday to 5PM More info: www.unityindiversity.com Email: artsversa@gmail.com

18­ 20 July

Event organised by Islamic Help Volunteers.

14 July

Venue:Ombersley Rd, Birmingham, West

25 July ­ 1 August

Lecture: Sicily under Muslim rule

Midlands B12 8UR Time: 5.00 PM Fee: £70

Summer Equestrian Leisure Retreat (Sisters Only)

Alex Metcalfe of Lancaster University, presents an illustrated introduction to the cultures and peoples of Muslim Sicily between the 9th and 11th centuries.

During this little-known but pivotal period, the island became an independent colony of Arab Muslim North Africa in which settlers from the Islamic world intermingled with the Byzantine Greek population in an increasingly multilingual, inter-confessional and multicultural space.

Among its many legacies was the great cultural and political metropolis of Palermo which came to be one of the largest and wealthiest cities in Europe.

Venue: Stevenson Lecture Theatre, British Museum, Great Russell Street, London WC1B Time: 1.30 PM - 2.30 PM Fee: Free, Booking essential

15 ­ 17 July FOSIS 53rd Annual Conference

Fundraising Target: £500

The Unity In Diversity Festival 2016 A follow up to last years Eid Arts and Cultural event at the Brent Cross Shopping Centre, London.

It is essentially a celebration of Britain's diverse Muslim cultures and will explore our communities diversity and reach out to our neighbours too. The festival is focusing, this year, particularly on engaging children and families through the performing arts, creative workshops and an arts, crafts and literature exhibition.

The organisers would like to invite artists, craftsman, performers, volunteers or media wala's to consider participating in the Eid celebration.

The festival will have the main stage where various arts performances or workshops will take place, plus an arts exhibition area.

Please send a brief synopsis about your proposal, your bio and perhaps links to

Escape to the country at Pennybridge House for three days or a week with Al Buraq Club. This prestigious property, set in eight acres, makes the perfect venue for an equestrian orientated vacation. Unwind in a feminine environment with full spa and leisure facilities... win enviable luxury prizes in our contests and saddle up for a fun - packed range of equine activities!

Riders of all levels are welcome, even beginners.

Venue: Pennybridge House, Wadhurst, East Sussex, UK More info: http://www.alburaqclub.com

Disclaimer: islam today does not necessarly endorse or recommend any of these events. Their contents and individuals or groups involved in them. We are not responsible for changes to times, fees or venues. Further information should be sought direclty from the organisers.

islam today

July 2016

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