islam today - issue 31 / January 2016

issue 31 January

vol. 4 2016

islam today

5 Ways to get closer to God Place, Prayer and Hope Monks and Muslims III

islam today

Editorial team

issue 31 vol. 4

Managing Director

Mohammad Saeed Bahmanpour

Chief Editor

Amir De Martino

Managing Editor

Anousheh Mireskandari

Layout and Design

Innovative Graphics

January 2016

islam today magazine intends to address the concerns and aspirations of a vibrant Muslim community by providing readers with inspiration, information, a sense of community.

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Publisher 140 Maida Vale London W9 1QB Tel: 020 7 604 5500 ISSN 22051-2503

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Disclaimer: Where opinion is expressed it is that of the author and does not necessarily coincide with the editorial views of the publisher or islam today. 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.

Content

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5 Ways to get closer to God

4

Amit Bharakda

12 16

Monks and Muslims III

Place, Prayer and Hope John Woodhouse

Book launch

20 22

The Islamic Research Foundation

ART Moriam Grillo

The menace of plastic Dr Laleh Lohrasbi

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What What & & Where Where

Glossary of Islamic Symbols The letter (s) after the name of the Prophet Muhammad(s) stands for the Arabic phrase ‘sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam', meaning, ‘May God bless him [Muhammad] and grant him peace'.

The letter (a) stands for the Arabic phrase ‘alayhis-salaam', ‘alayhas-salaam' (feminine) and ‘alayhimus-salaam' (plural) meaning respectively: (God's) Peace be with him/ her/ or them.

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Islamic Research Foundation

N

ever before has it been more important to attain the valuable knowledge bestowed upon us through the Holy Qur’an and teachings of the Holy Ahl ul Bayt(a). With this objective in mind the Custodians of the holy shrine of Imam Redha(a) (The eighth Imam of Shia school of thought) in Iran established the Islamic Research Foundation in 1984. The foundation is a non-profit institution and offshoot of the holy shrine. This year it celebrates its 31st anniversary. The foundation comprises 22 research departments with numerous cultural achievements already under its belt. By

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recruiting expert scholars and researchers, the Islamic Research Foundation has carried out intensive studies in Islamic sciences and humanities. Bearing in mind the importance of top quality researchers, the foundation is constantly on the lookout for new researchers and translators to carry out translation and editing of scriptural texts. Acknowledging the importance of enhancing the scientific capability of the researchers the foundation provides scholarship opportunities for its researchers in scientific organisations within Iran and abroad.

At a more academic level the Islamic Research Foundation

Mishkat and the largest Persian selling annual diary Quds Diary, both mainstays of the foundation for the last two decades. The foundation’s comprehensive research on the Nahjul Balagha [Sermons, Letters and Sayings of Imam Ali(a)] is one of the treasured works of this organisation. A large group of specially selected researchers from the Islamic seminary (Hawza) and universities have lovingly worked on this project.

The foundation’s published work has so far surpassed the figure of 12.8 million copies which has placed the organisation among the most distinguished international research institutions and publishers.

Research Departments The foundation’s research departments are Theology and Islamic Philosophy; Geography of Islamic Countries and Astronomy; European Languages Translation; Children and Young Adults’ Literature and can be considered its spinal cord. Some of these departments are responsible for works such as the great Encyclopaedia of the Lexicon of the Holy Qur’an that by far is the greatest work that the Foundation has ever undertaken. The encyclopaedia ‘Al-Mojam fi Fiqh Lughat al-Qur'an wa Sirr Balagha’, is currently being compiled by nearly 20 scholars and the final work is expected to reach as many as 60 volumes.

On the other hand the departments of Biography and Genealogy have jointly conducted five national-level seminars with different organisations elucidating the lives of the prominent Ulama and religious personalities. This department has recently launched its exclusive website titled ‘Derakht-e-Tooba’ (The Blessed Tree) introducing the great personalities of Islam.

Research Project in Comparative Islamic Jurisprudence

has so far conducted six international congresses and more than 70 seminars as well as cooperating and participating in seminars within the country and abroad.

The foundation is also a familiar face in the world of publication. In its 30 years of activities it has published over 1698 titles in 3387 volumes of which at least 92 titles have received meritorious distinction and awards from research institutes, universities and Islamic seminaries. Almost 1656 of its volumes have been reprinted a second time or more.

They include the leading Islamic quarterly in Persian,

Research and editing of the famous work of the Shi’i scholar Allamah Hilli (648-726 A.H.) ‘Muntaha al-Matlab fi Tahqiq al-Mazhab’ is one of the most valuable works in comparative Islamic Jurisprudence. With twenty-three years of non-stop efforts by researchers from the Islamic Hawza (seminary) this department has successfully accomplished the research and edit of this book. This book contains both the Shi'i and Sunni jurisprudents’ views in detail and also consists of contemporaneous jurisprudence issues. This work is published in 15 volumes.

Another major achievement of the foundation is the compilation of the Encyclopaedia of Imam Husayn(a). The compilation of this comprehensive encyclopaedia is the joint endeavour of 50 research scholars and took seven years to

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accomplish. The encyclopaedia includes 3000 entries and

and detailed views of the Sunni scholars on the martyrdom

1300 articles covering 44 subjects. They comprise an

of the Imam. A DVD of the encyclopaedia was released in

annotated bibliography of 4000 books written on the life of

November 2012.

Imam

Husayn(a)

together with the Holy Ahlul Bait

genealogical tree; the historical journey of Imam Husayn(a) from Madina to Karbala; audio, pictures and videos of elegies

and

Maqtal-khwani

(Reading

the

book

of

martyrdom of Husayn(a)) in Arabic, Persian and Turkish, in addition to 800 entries on the sayings of Imam Husayn(a)

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Islamic Economics Islamic Research Foundation has successfully organised two international seminars in the field of Islamic Economics and has presented articles in Persian, Arabic and English in

International Seminar on Silk Road with the cooperation of UNESCO, in 1990; The Congress of Books and Libraries on Islamic Civilisation in 1995 and finally the Imam Ali(a) Conference Al-Ghadeer and Islamic Unity, in 2001. An International Congress of Waqf (Endowment) is on the horizon.

The Islamic Research Foundation has made it its duty and aim to explore all roads in attaining and spreading the knowledge of the Qur’an and the Holy Ahl ul Bayt(a) and in this respect invites international scholars and researchers in Islamic Studies [Quranic studies] to collaborate in its work.

Contact Information:

this field. In addition to this, it has produced a book on ‘the Islamic Economics Texts in the Holy Qur'an, Sunnah and the views of the jurisprudents’ in 16 volumes.

Seminars and Congresses In order to develop the expertise in its fields The Islamic Research Foundation has organised various seminars and congresses such as the International Seminar on Geography of Islamic Countries in 1985; Seminar on Rural Migration in 1986;

Islamic Research Foundation, Tabarsi Underpass, Adjoined to the Holy Shrine of Imam Redha(a) P. O. Box: 91735-366 Mashhad - IRAN E-mail: intrelation@islamic-rf.ir Website: www.islamic-rf.ir Tel No: 0098-51-32232501-10 Fax No: 0098-51-32230005

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5 Faith

Ways

to get closer to

God

“The Prophet Muhammad

said that the best way to be content with what you have and not take God’s blessings for granted is to look at the person who has less than you. (s)

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t is the never-ending pursuit of any God-fearing Muslim to get closer to his Lord and establish a relationship and connection with Him. The problem many Muslims face is that “life takes over”. After fulfilling duties towards employers, family, social responsibilities and so forth, one is left with very little time to work on his relationship with God. What we as Muslims must remember is that although we have to indulge in worldly life to a certain extent (for our sustenance and survival), this cannot be at the expense of our faith. We have to keep reminding ourselves and each other that life hereafter is our final home and we need to use this life to build a beautiful Afterlife. Here are five suggestions to help us work on our relationship with God and get closer to Him. Perform the five daily prayers on time Of course, the most basic obligation we have as Muslims is to offer the five daily prayers. But my emphasis is on praying it on time. Many Muslims are guilty of delaying Fajr until the last half an hour. Technically, the prayer has been offered on time but the blessings it carries are fewer. Let’s take the example of an apple. If you cut an apple and eat it straight away, you will be consuming all of its beneficial nutrients.

However, if you cut the apple and leave it for an hour, it will start showing signs of wear, most commonly a brownish colour settles. Now if you eat this apple, you’re still receiving the nutrients but at lower levels. This is exactly the difference between praying on time versus half an hour before its expiry. If you are guilty of performing your prayers late, start praying them on time and immediately you will start to feel that closeness to God that you crave and He will open doors of wisdom and opportunity for you that you could have never imagined. If you fear deprivation from sustenance due to prayer i.e. fears of losing your job, you have not understood God! Leave that job for the sake of God. When you take one step towards God, He will take ten towards you. You are a fully grown adult being, God has looked after your sustenance up until now, so why would He stop now?

Help the poor and needy The Prophet Muhammad(s) said that the best way to be content with what you have and not take God’s blessings for granted is to look at the person who has less than you.

Spend time with the homeless, give spontaneous donations or feed the less fortunate, yourself. I recall one brother who was walking through Oxford Street in London and he saw many homeless people. He could not bear to see this, so he walked into a restaurant and ordered six takeaway meals and handed them to the first six homeless people he saw on the way home from this journey. It is impossible for you to cure poverty on your own so do a little but do it frequently, that way not only are you helping the unfortunate but you are constantly appreciating what God has given you. Charity increases, rather than decreases wealth and the one who is thankful to God, He gives him more.

Refrain from sins and recite Istighfar (asking for forgiveness) The majority of Muslims are not guilty of committing major sins i.e. adultery and murder but are culpable of committing many small sins that are taken lightly. That one comment about someone from the mosque and that little ‘harmless’ white lie adds up and blocks your connection to God. The best way to look at the concept of sins and forgiveness is using the following example: At birth we are a white sheet of paper, pure and sinless, but every sin results in a black mark on that sheet. Sincere repentance wipes that dot away; however, if we continue to commit minor sins without thinking of the repercussions, it not only increases the number of black dots but also intensifies them so they are harder to remove. The black dots block out the light of God from our heart like a curtain blocks rays of sunlight from entering a room. It is very important to be wary of small sins and perform istighfar every day, even if you can’t remember committing a bad deed.

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Read more

Learn Arabic

As the popular phrase goes “Knowledge is Power”, always try and free up time to invest in learning about your religion for that is a sure way to guarantee your position on the straight path. Ali ibn Abi Talib(a), the Prophet’s(s) cousin teaches us to learn our religion and not inherit it. If you’re a bookworm, dive into the world of Islamic history, spirituality, ethics and law. If you have a better

Most will learn Arabic in their early years at Madrasah.

However if you have not had the chance to learn the language, then do so from today. To be more specific, learn Quranic Arabic so that you are able to understand the Qur’an. When you read the English translation of the Qur’an, you may not get an accurate meaning as Arabic is a complex language and some words do not have an English equivalent and thus the nearest possible meaning is used.

Think about those who read the Arabic Qur’an, they are reading the exact words Angel Gabriel revealed unto the Prophet(s) from God. Imagine the blessings it carries reading those same exact words and the effect it can have on you. Another advantage of reading Arabic is the ability to recite the dua’s (supplications) that have been given to us by the Imams of the Ahlulbayt(a).

To conclude on the five ways to get closer to God the very least you can do is remember Him, because that remembrance alone can help you later on in life when you really need divine guidance and assistance. As the Qur'an says:

understanding of your religion, your practise is more likely to carry greater meaning and depth rather than if it was a mere ritual. Furthermore, you will have a greater appreciation for the Prophet, his family and his sincere companions and what they went through to keep the religion alive - the religion that we just take as a set of rituals. Of course, a natural side-effect of this is that your relationship with God will improve. On another note, if you don’t enjoy reading, use YouTube. which has a plethora of lectures from the best speakers around the world.

Download them, put them on your phone and listen to them in your spare time or on your commute to and from work.

“At birth we are a white sheet

of paper, pure and sinless, but every sin results in a black mark on that sheet.

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“So remember Me; I

will remember you” (2:152) Amit Bharakda holds a Master’s Degree in Digital Marketing. He is a digital marketing and social media manager and blogger.

The Islamic Belief System gives a complete curriculum of the fundamentals of Islam. It can be used in a school setting or for general knowledge for both the youth and adults.

ÂŁ15

Under the direction of Dr Mohammad Ali Shomali comes this informative outlining and guide to Islam and it's teachings. Written in a text book like, easy to read fashion. This book is perfectly suited to both the novice to Islam and those familiar with the religion.

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Interfaith

Place, Prayer and Hope

by John Woodhouse

A

mong many interfaith activities one that in my view stands out is the Christian/Muslim Forum course entitled the ‘Sharing Perspectives: Muslims and Christians in the Holy Land’.

The second running of this course took place at St George’s College - Jerusalem early this year. The course was attended by Christians and Muslims and was led by the Rt Revd Richard Cheetham, Bishop of Kingston and Shaykh Ibrahim Mogra.

The aim of this 10 day course was a familiar one; to gain a

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deeper understanding of Christian and Muslim theology and their perspectives. However what made this course different to others was a unique opportunity it offered to see the Holy Land through each other’s eyes. In the words of Revd Cheetham, “the course was set within a global context and stressing that the way we live together is vital. This was a special opportunity to ask the right questions and begin to see the Holy Land through each other’s eyes.”

Besides searching through the Holy scripts, the course also offered a chance to meet both Palestinians and Israelis. One of the attendees, Shohel Ahmed from East London says:

The Holy Places can be starting points for us, to go back and find the roots of our Abrahamic religions, to see and feel where it all started.

“…Wherever we went, I felt that the Palestinians were most happy to have us and host us, and share their wonderful country with us. For me that was striking and apparent from the outset.”

The Holy Places can be starting points for us, to go back and find the roots of our Abrahamic religions, to see and feel where it all started. For Father David Kesterton from Luton, this was the first visit to the Holy Land. “Christian devotion earths the ministry of Jesus, his birth, passion, death, resurrection and ascension. The specificity of this ‘earthing’ has resulted in places of pilgrimage and intense

devotion. Whether these sacred spots on the Earth have a genuine claim to be ‘the place’ or are merely in the right general area doesn’t matter and the ultimate point is that it happened somewhere rather than nowhere.” he said.

He continued: “I found myself walking down the rows of olives with a Muslim colleague asking me about the Christian understanding of the salvation. Is everyone going to heaven? I began explaining the theories of atonement and found myself saying “There are a variety of views”. I think this is a phrase that will come more than once and I wondered if this sounded “too woolly” for my Muslim friend.”

It was valuable to visit the mosques as well as the churches.

Throughout our time together we were very conscious of our Muslim friends going very early in the morning and at every opportunity to the Al-Aqsa mosque to pray. This is the third most important site for them and the reward for prayers there is multiplied 10,000 times. It was an enormous privilege to go into the Al-Aqsa mosque and the Dome of the Rock. They are both astonishing buildings of great beauty and steeped in devotion.

For the Christians the liturgies in St George’s cathedral and the college helped to bond us together and there was a memorable Eucharist by the sea outside the Church of the Beatitudes attended by the whole group. Going early on Sunday morning to the Holy Sepulchre we were able to experience Coptic, Armenian and Ethiopian Orthodox liturgies.

At the final station on the Via Dolorosa just outside the Holy Sepulchre outside the Coptic Orthodox church there are large banners showing the martyrdom of 21 Copts in Libya – a chilling reminder of the on-going persecution of Christians.

Revd David Kesterton commented: “Our group attended the Sunday Eucharist at St Georges Cathedral – with the sermon delivered in Arabic and English. The only word in the Arabic sermon I recognised was “Facebook”! It was odd that the Muslim sitting next to me followed more of the sermon than I did. “ Visiting Bethlehem, Nazareth, Capernaum and the Sea of Galilee put things into a different context. At Nazareth we heard passages from the Qur’an about Mary. At the sea itself our Muslim friends washed and prayed at the sea

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Throughout our time together we were very conscious of our Muslim friends going very early in the morning and at every opportunity to the Al-Aqsa mosque to pray.

This is the third most important site for them and the reward for prayers there is multiplied 10,000 times. shore while others paddled or spent time in contemplation.

For all of us this was a very special place.

There was a message of hope in our encounters with Archbishop Suheil Dawani, the Anglican Archbishop of Jerusalem. We heard of the work of hospitals and clinics

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and of local interfaith work where Christians play a vital role. Religion can be part of the solution, not the problem.

The recent visit of Pope Francis had sent a powerful message of peace.

The Archbishop stressed the importance of embracing the

Middle East. Muslim and Christian students expressed solidarity. Being Muslim or Christian did not matter. They had great hope for the future and wanted to make Palestine the best country in the world. We learnt a lot and we grappled with difficult and sensitive issues. The outcome of this gathering was the realisation that we can share so much and live together so well. We need to build on what is already in existence and promote more local joint projects.

The Palestine/Israel issue needs to sensitively be addressed in our interfaith forums. It has tended to be overshadowed

by ISIS activities but until the issue of Palestine/Israel is resolved there cannot be peace in the region.

Finally as Revd Kesterton said, there should be more

discussion on the theological differences at the heart of the two faiths such as for example, the contrasting approaches to prayer and the nature of the obligations which are inherent in the faiths. ď Ź This course will be repeated on10 -17 March 2016 at the St George’s College in Jerusalem.

John Woodhouse is a member of Westminster Cathedral Interfaith Group.

www.sgcjerusalem.org

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Monks and Muslims; TOWARDS A GLOBAL ABRAHAMIC COMMUNITY

Assisi - 18/10/2014

M

onks and Muslims III: Towards a Global Abrahamic Community is the title of the sixth publication to be produced as result of a continuing dialogue between Catholic Christians and Shi’a Muslims that began more than eighteen years ago.

The launch of the latest publication took place on November the 10th 2015, at Vaughan House in central London, under the auspices of the Diocese of Westminster and the Islamic Centre of England. Guest speakers were; Fr. Jonathan Cotton OSB, Archbishop Kevin McDonald and one of the authors, Hujjatul Islam Dr Mohammad Ali Shomali.

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Fr. Jonathan Cotton, from the Benedictine Order and a longstanding friend of Dr Hujjatul Islam Shomali, recalled his initial encounter with Dr Shomali at Hope University in Liverpool. Fr. Cotton expressed great gratitude to the Focolari movement for being instrumental in the development of the relationship between Catholics and Shi’a Muslims that has continued up to today. He explained that: “the challenge of initiatives like this stands on the willingness of moving out of one’s individual comfort zone and to overcome suspicion of the other, recognising that each human being is a gift.” By referring to the words of Cardinal Hume who said: “When you meet another person

they have something that you do not have and one must live and work for unity”, Fr. Cotton further emphasised the necessity for people of faith to meet and visit each other describing how he himself has opened up friendships with local Muslims and Imams.

Describing the contributors of the book Fr. Cotton referred to the clear sense of joy expressed by all those who took part in the ‘Monks and Muslims’ third encounter and explained that the book presents some discussions on the meaning of ‘community’, what it means to be an individual in a community and how the community can help the individual.

The second guest speaker Revd Kevin McDonald Archbishop Emeritus of Southwark thanked those involved in the production of the book praising the quality of the individual contributions and the originality and the boldness of the whole enterprise.

He described the event as auspicious as it coincided with the 50th anniversary of the famous document issued by the Second Vatican Council in 1965 known as the Nostra Aetate (In our time).

The document affirmed the possibility that the truth can be found also in other religious traditions. This new theological position allowed the Church to open up dialogue with other religions.

Archbishop McDonald explained that with reference to other religions, Pope John Paul II talked a good deal about the unity of the human community, recalling the initiative that brought people of different religions together in the city of Assisi-Italy in 1986 to create a sense of a shared vision and interconnectedness. It was “a day filled with profound unity”, said the Archbishop.

He further explored the fundamental values that we must share and must announce together, and the language that

should be used to change perceptions about religions.by refuting the ridiculous perception some people have that ‘religion is the cause of all problems.’

Turning to the book, Revd McDonald described the initiative recounted in it as an attempt to bring closeness and to bring about some form of community across divisions, a ‘community of the world’.

The Archbishop acknowledged the fact that Christians and Muslims in general represent two quite different approaches to faith, but he also emphasised that: “this does not mean that there cannot be a deeper synthesis or understanding between the two”.

He believes that the book encapsulates those moments of shared mutuality capable of creating the necessary mindset, and that one must grasp the opportunities to build on such relationships.

Hujjatul Islam Dr Mohammad Ali Shomali, one of the authors and editor of the book, expressed his deep gratitude to God, for providing the opportunity for such encounters and offered a special thanks to Mr Jon Dal Din, from the Focolare movement, for organising, hosting and chairing the event, stressing the necessity of publicising gathering such as this. Dr Shomali described his early experience where he felt a deep sense of love for God among the people he had met.

He also described the major milestones during the last eighteen years that led to the publication of a number of works.

Focusing on the book ‘Monks and Muslims III’ he explained that it contains many lessons learnt and documented from their encounter. He described how the culture of dialogue has been passed to other people and specifically to the

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Seminary of Qum, leading to the formation of an institute specialising in this activity.

Dr Shomali explained that discussions and analysis of this dialogue were around the subject of ‘community’. Being a believer is something that one cannot do fully on his/her own. “We need today, for everybody’s sake, to give people real examples of what it means to be ‘communities of the faithful’ and try to be channels of mercy to other people”, he said.

While we can approach God as individuals there is a greater benefit in doing it as a community. In this respect Dr Shomali quoted an Islamic narration whereby God asked Moses: “What have you done for Me?” Moses replied, “I

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prayed and fasted...”. God replied: “That is good for yourself but what have you done for Me?” Moses was unable to answer so he asked: “Please tell me what is the action that is for You?” God said: “Have you ever taken a person as your friend, as an intimate brother for My sake”?

Dr Shomali explained that if people want to know if they have been acting truly for God, they should ask themselves if they have taken a person with whom they had no prior relation as a friend, just because of God, as that is the way you choose a brother or sister in faith.

He further quoted another tradition of the Prophet Muhammed(s) where he stated: “one must love for the sake of God; this is the firmest handhold of faith”.

The challenge, he explained, is not to love God but to love others for the sake of God. Even if we believe in the truthfulness of our faith, we can still learn from each other. “If we work together God will gift us with further knowledge we didn’t know, although it would be a difficult task to build a community that from every aspect fulfils the requirement of being godly.”

With regards to the book Dr Shomali said: “This book makes a special reference to the Prophet Abraham(a) for his particular servitude to God. He has the potential to unite us. We need to restore the House of Abraham and create a global community.”

“Understanding unity in its broader sense means to commit oneself to the idea that there is only one source of truth, one source of beauty and goodness.

We cannot use religion for dividing people but rather religion should be a voice of unity. From the Qur’an, the unity of God is something that can shape all

aspects and orientation of our lives. A sign of being a good believer is that he/she brings people closer together. We should have a godly vision seeing all people as children of God." In his final analysis Dr Shomali considered a shift in paradigm in how the world sees religion. He said: “So far world religions have been doing well on their own but the world is changing and materialism if affecting all Muslims, Christian, and Jews. All people who believe in common fundamental values should know that the future requires that we work together.”

“

If we work together God will gift us with further knowledge we didn’t know, although it would be a difficult task to build a community that from every aspect fulfils the requirement of being godly." ‐ Dr Mohammad Ali Shomali.

Monks and Muslims III; Towards a Global Abrahamic Community is published jointly by the Islamic Institute of Islamic Studies and Dialogue Interreligieux Monastique. It has 127 pages containing thirteen essays arranged in three chapters: ‘Papers’, ‘Presentation at the Pontifical Institute for Arabic & Islamic Studies’ and ‘Reflections on the Dialogue’.

Avalaible from the Islamic Centre Bookshop Email: bookshop@ic-el.com Direct Line: +44 (0)20 7372 9088

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Art Photography “Photography is the closest we come to freezing time, but the challenge of a photo is freezing the feeling." - Adel Al Quraishi Adel Al Quraishi is a Saudi photographer and self-taught visual artist who developed his craft under the guardianship of Brazilian photographer, Humberto da Silveira. Al Quraishi began his career by photographing landscapes before fostering an interest in portraiture. His most notable work The Guardians documents portraits of the individuals who guard the Prophet Muhammad's(s) chamber from within the Masjid al-Nabawi in Medina. Al Quraishi’s depiction of these suited in their traditional attire and poised with sultry glares, although noble and fitting, it is in contrast to how they go about their daily lives. These men, once numbering over a thousand and now only seven, are the most humble of individuals. Their manner, reclusive and unassuming by nature, is an edict to which each Muslim should live, mirrors of appropriate conduct as engendered in the Sunna (tradition) of the Prophet(s). They remain inconspicuous, going about their daily duties with such reverential courtesy they remain invisible to the tide of pilgrims in attendance.

Through his solemn portraits Al Quraishi successfully records a piece of history until now untold. And through it teaches us about an 800-year tradition of service and devotion. Using his art form Al Quraishi serves a timely reminder that the things that truly ennoble us as humans are humility and service.

Inspire Designated as being of ‘Outstanding International Importance’ by Arts Council England, the Birmingham Qur’an manuscript has been radio carbon dated to be amongst the oldest in the world. It is part of the Mingana Collection of Middle Eastern Manuscripts, held at the Cadbury Research Library in the University of Birmingham.

The script is handwritten on parchment in Hijazi script without vowel marking or nuqtas (points). The manuscript consists of two leaves, as four pages, with extracts from three chapters - Kahf, Mariam and Taha.

Engage Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, Chamberlain Square, Birmingham B3 3DH The Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery is located in the centre of the city and houses the largest public collection of Pre-Raphaelite paintings in the world.

First opened in 1885, the Grade II listed building, has over 40 galleries displaying a mixture of art, social history, archaeology and ethnography.

From February the gallery will become the temporary home for The Birmingham Qur’an manuscript.

For further information telephone: 0121 348 8000

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One 2 One A new year encourages a new outlook and fresh approach to life. And we hope that these pages will encourage you to take a new approach to Art; to engage, be inspired and feel enriched by the wealth of art and creativity which surrounds us in our daily lives.

Talking Art: Mihrab Project Our Arts Editor, Moriam Grillo, has been writing for Islam Today since its inception in 2012. As an artist in her own right, Moriam recently won a Brighter Futures award for a commission at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham. The finished work of art is a mihrab or prayer niche situated in the prayer room within the hospital's Faith Centre. This unique project involved creating ceramic tiles which members of the local community decorated in a variety of colours. These tiles were then mounted in an oak casing constructed by master carpenter Yunus Varsani who also installed the work.

Tahereh Shafiee congratulate her on her latest achievement.

"I am honoured to have been able to take part in such a special project. It beautifully combined two subjects which are very close to my heart: faith and creativity.�, said Grillo.

How does it do this?

The finished work contains 1,321 tiles glazed by members of the public. Before painting the tiles, each person made a dua (prayer) for healing. Meaning that this spiritual artwork will stand as constant reminder of the faith, love and support offered to all.

Why did you choose to pursue Art? Quite simply, because it offered me a halal lifestyle. The chance to reflect upon my spiritual journey whilst using it as a means of expression.

Why is Art important?

Art is probably the only subject that is not taught and relies on unfoldment to take place. By that I mean the gradual revelation or disclosure of what lies within us. If you give five people the same materials to create something of their own choosing, each result will be unique. That's because artistic endeavour is fuelled by imagination and creativity. Art is important because it engages these two much underestimated faculties.ď Ź

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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Health

The menace of plastic in iners den a t n o id cc plasti rlines the h f o e g g usa rasbi unde aterial n i s a e h cr tm ver in s, Laleh Lo ly innocen e h t i t e W ily liv is apparen a d r u o r of th dange

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islam today January 2016 islam today January 2016

The main issue with plastic is leaching. All types of plastic contain endocrine disruptors - substances that, when taken into our bodies, alter normal hormonal function.

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W

e have heard a lot about the harm of using plastic containers and that they can contaminate our food by releasing toxic materials, but most of us do not know why these materials are harmful and if they are as harmful as it is claimed?

Plastic is used in several different types of household products such as Tupperware, water bottles, cling films and plastic bags. These containers are cheap, light and easy to use and they seem to be the perfect material for food storage but what price do we pay for their convenience?

Plastic containers may be in close contact with ready to use or even raw food materials. The main issue with plastic is leaching. All types of plastic contain endocrine disruptors — substances that, when taken into our bodies, alter normal hormonal function. Endocrine disruptors include a long list of chemicals such as dioxins, cadmium, parabens, bisphenol A (BPA), phthalates, agricultural chemicals, polybrominated flame retardants, and some of the active ingredients in sunscreens. Many of these chemicals can mimic the action of natural estrogen. These foreign estrogens (xenoestrogens) can upset normal hormonal balance, stimulate the growth and development of reproductive tumours (breast, uterine, prostate), impair fertility, and disrupt pregnancy. Worse, many can cross the placenta to affect the foetus and get into breast milk.

The most troubling endocrine disruptor is a common ingredient in plastic called BPA. Used to produce polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins, BPA is found in many drinking containers, the lining of most food and beverage cans, bottle caps, plastic cutlery, plastic food storage containers, toys, dental sealants, some dental composites, water pipes, eyeglass lenses, and more.

Polycarbonate is often blended with other plastics to create products such as mobile phone cases, car parts, electronic equipment, medical equipment, and household items.

Because BPA is in printer ink, newspapers, and carbonless receipts, most recycled paper contains it, including paper towels and paper used to contain food.

Although all plastics break down and leach at some point, certain plastics are more structurally stable than others.

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What is done with the container (e.g. heating) likewise makes a big difference. Finally, the kind of food or drink kept in it can actually be a factor as well. Plastics of different types are categorised according to their resin numbers as types 1 to 7. While some people just decline all types, some experts believe that high and low density polyethylene polypropylene plastics, due to their being more stable and less prone to leaching, are better when used properly.

Polystyrene is linked to cancer, neurological damage, reproductive issues, skin, eye and respiratory irritation, depression, fatigue and compromised kidney function.

To minimise the level of leaching there are several steps that can be taken:  It is important to check the type of plastic before buying Tupperware especially when the container is going to be used for a long period of time and may be washed in dishwashers or be used in microwaves.  A baby bottle should be boiled regularly to be sterilised. Bottles made of opaque plastic which are made of polyethylene or polypropylene with no BPA, are better. If not available, bottles with recycle symbols of number 2 or 5 should be obtained.  Another important thing to remember is to use the plastic containers only in accordance with their originally intended use - for example dinner containers should not be reheated in microwave or single use water bottles should not be washed and used over and over, especially after continual washing in a hot dishwasher.

Heating all kinds of plastics should be avoided whenever possible. Heating even for short periods can increase chemical shedding.  For ready to use foods which come in plastic containers, the plastic packaging should be removed and glass bowl or stove top pot should be used for heating the food. Using disposable plastic cups should be avoided as far as possible and glass or ceramic cups should be replaced.  Plastic wraps should not touch the food when heating in microwave, Wax paper, kitchen parchment paper, white paper towels, or a domed container that fits over a plate or bowl are better alternatives.  Old, scratched, or cracked containers, or those that have been microwaved many times, may leach out more plasticisers.

 Liquids or moist foods are more potential to absorb chemicals from the container especially if they are acidic i.e. citrus juice or tomato paste. These kinds of food should be kept in glass jars.  Plastic bags should be replaced with wax paper sandwich bags or stainless steel Bento boxes. This should be considered particularly at times when direct sunlight or a hot environment is expected.

Choosing appropriate containers and following the proper plastic container usage directions are important steps in reducing the amount of exposure to toxic compound leach, but the most important step is to care for the foods and raw materials which are packaged with inappropriate plastic materials in the first place. To avoid the risk, the best thing is to buy fresh foods. Simply, food should be made from as many raw ingredients as possible. Juice can be squeezed from fresh fruits rather than being bought in a plastic bottle. Precut/frozen vegetables and fruits should be replaced with fresh products. Use of canned and plasticbottled items should be limited. For the foods which cannot be made at home, alternative packing rather than plastic should be purchased, where available. Some frozen product companies now package their products in freezer paper bags instead of plastic. Meat can be bought directly from the counter, where butcher paper instead of plastic wrap is used. Finally, when there are no alternatives, shaving or cutting off the very top layers of items that come into contact with less desirable plastics are good choices. While this might not work so well for some foods, it can be a reasonable option with things like ground meats.

Although plastics offer a variety of benefits and it may seem that we cannot get along without them these days, in almost all cases alternatives do exist. 

Points to remember Check the type of plastic before buying Tupperware A baby bottle should be boiled regularly to be sterilised. Choose bottles with recycle symbols of number 2 or 5 Use

the

plastic

containers

only

in

accordance with their originally intended use The plastic packaging of ready foods should be removed before heating Avoid using disposable plastic Plastic wraps should not touch the food when heating in microwave Old, scratched, or cracked containers, may leach out more plasticisers Liquids or moist foods should be kept in glass jars Plastic bags should be replaced with wax paper or steel containers

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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What & Where Through January Commentary (Tafseer) of the Holy Qur’an Conducted by: Shaykh M S Bahmanpour Venue: Islamic Centre of England, 140 Maida Vale, London W9 1QB Time: Every Friday starting at 7:30pm

Through January

exhibition of around 200 objects will show how Christian, Islamic and Jewish communities reinterpreted the pharaonic past of Egypt and interacted with one another. The transitions seen in this period have shaped the modern world we know today.

Venue: Room 35, The British Museum, Great Russell Street, London, WC1B 3DG Time: 10.00 AM - 5.30 PM Daily (8.30 PM on Fridays) Fee: Adults: £10 / Under 16: Free

Life and Sole: Footwear from the Islamic World A display of footwear and related objects that reveals some of the past and present customs, pastimes and traditions from across the Islamic world.

Around 25 pairs of shoes, slippers, sandals, clogs and boots from North Africa, the Middle East, Turkey, Central Asia and South Asia are being shown together for the first time. Dating from 1800 onwards, they demonstrate the important role footwear has always played in the social and cultural life of people living in these regions. The display presents a variety of regional styles, materials, embellishments and shoe manufacturing traditions. It examines shoes as status symbols, class indicators and diplomatic gifts.

Venue: Room 34, The BritishMuseum, Great Russell Street, London, WC1B 3DG Time: 10.00 AM - 5.30 PM Daily (8.30 PM on Fridays) Entry: Free

Through January Egypt: Faith after the Pharaohs This exhibition explores 1,200 years of history, providing unparalleled insight into the lives of different religious communities. This

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Every weekend through January Muslim Hands ­ Gaza Annual Winter Walk Now in its 8th year, the Gaza Winter Walk has seen thousands of participants from communities across the UK join together to raise funds for the children of Gaza. Wrapped up warm with maps and refreshments in hand, they have taken on the five miles of chilly terrain ahead of them to help Gaza’s children and the results have been spectacular. This year's walks have been organised in various cities: Manchester, Birmingham, Bradford, Glasgow, London, Luton, Cardiff and Leicester.

For venue and registration details: https://muslimhands.org.uk/events/

In 2005, the Iranian film director, Tina Gharavi, embarked on a journey to discover the legacy of Mohammed Ali’s visit to South Shields in 1977.

While filming she met with the Yemeni elders at the Al-Azhar mosque who shared glimpses of their amazing lives, previously unknown and untold.

A series of thirteen hand-coloured portraits by the internationally renowned photographer, Youssef Nabil, captures the first generation of Yemeni sailors with the pride they embody as individuals and as a community.

Venue: The Street Gallery, Institute of Arab and Islamic Studies, University of Exeter, Exeter EX4 4ND Time: 9.00 AM - 5.00 PM Fee: Free More info: Telephone Jane Clark on 01392 724040

5 January Kingship and religion in ancient Iran 45 minute Gallery Talk by Vesta Curtis. Free to attend. Talks are suitable for people with all levels of knowledge.

Venue: Room 68, The British Museum, Great Russell Street, London, WC1B 3DG Time: 1.15 PM - 2.00 PM

Through 29th January Last of the Dictionary Men

11 January

Over the course of 100 years, thousands of seamen from Yemen settled in the small town of South Shields in the North East of England and made it their home. Successful integration of the Yemeni community, it is argued, is one of the key multiculturalism stories that the region has to offer to the nation.

1656, Cromwell and the Readmission of Jews: Towards a Tolerant and Pluralist Society?

Together with Eugenio F. Biagini (Professor of Modern and Contemporary History, Cambridge), the Woolf Institute is organising a conference to commemorate the

360th anniversary of Oliver Cromwell's readmission of Jews to Britain and Ireland in 1656. Themes will include the origins of tolerance and the long-term and wider significance of the return for the UK today.

Speakers will include David Abulafia (Professor of Mediterranean History, Cambridge), John Coffey (Professor of Early Modern History, Leicester), Rabbi Joseph Dweck (Senior Rabbi of the Spanish and Portuguese Jews' Congregation of London), David Feldman (Director of the Pears Institute and Professor of History, Birkbeck) and John Morrill (Professor of British and Irish History, Cambridge).

Venue: Sidney Sussex College, Sidney Street, Cambridge CB2 3HU, UK Time: 9.00 AM - 6.45 PM Registration & More info: http://www.woolf.cam.ac.uk/events

16 January Politics, Islam & Modernity Professor Wael Hallaq (Columbia University, USA) and specialist on Islamic Law and Islamic intellectual history, will deliver a one-day intensive course based around his book ‘The Impossible State: Islam, Politics, and Modernity’s Moral Predicament’ (Columbia University Press, 2012).

Venue: Birkbeck College, Malet Street, London, WC1E 7HX Time: 9.00 AM - 6.00 PM Fee: £40 & £50 Bookings:http://www.eventbrite.co.uk

21 January Living with the past: temples, churches and mosques in Egypt 45 minute Gallery Talk by Elisabeth

R O’Connell. Free to attend. Talks are suitable for all levels of knowledge.

Venue: Room 4, The British Museum, Great Russell Street, London Time: 1.15 PM - 2.00 PM

24 January A Taste of Scottish Islam Scotland is home to 77,000 Muslims, many of whom draw their heritage from the diverse cultures and traditions of the Muslim world. From Istanbul through to Indonesia, Muslim societies reflect local customs, and cuisine reflects local ingredients and palates!

As part of the Year of Food & Drink Scotland 2015, The Alwaleed Centre for the Study of Islam in the Contemporary World (part of the University of Edinburgh) is hosting a food event to celebrate and bring together the different cultures of the Muslim world, represented in Edinburgh. It will be a chance to reflect differences, appreciate similarities, and enjoy some delicious food!

Venue: City of Edinburgh Methodist Church - 25 Nicolson Square, Edinburgh, EH8 9BX GB Time: 3.00 PM - 5.00 PM Entry: Free Volunteers needed, email: thealwaleedcentre@ed.ac.uk

the eternal struggle with Satan, bravery, humility, piety, remembering God, leadership, honesty, generosity, avoiding backbiting & envy, justice and so on.

Venue: Birmingham, Venue to be confirmed.

Time: 8.30 AM - 7.00 PM Fee: £60.00 Register: https://www.alkauthar.org/

31 January Introduction to Muslim chaplaincy AMCed is developing Muslim chaplaincy courses at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels for those seeking a more academic approach. These courses are for the professional development of Muslim Chaplains, faith leaders and anyone who is involved in community or youth work. The first online course is starting in January 2016. This course is for new and experienced chaplains or anyone interested in finding out about Muslim chaplaincy.

Venue: Online Time: 8.00 AM - 5.00 PM More info: www.amced.org.uk

30-31 January The Muslim DNA- Course At a time when perceptions are everything, setting a good example is far more powerful than mere words.

This course will delve into the commentary and tradition to extract the life lessons we need to become better people. You will learn about

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.

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Prophecy Yesterday and Today

,

- part 1

- part 2

Organisers:

Islamic Centre of England 足 Christian Muslim Forum 足 Parish of St Augustine Please confirm your attandance by emailing: info@ic足el.com or info@christianmuslimforum.org