Islam today -issue 36 - June 2016

issue 36 vol. 4 June 2016

islam today

 The

7th Catholic - Shi'a Dialogue

 Ramadhan;  Women

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Opportunity knocks

in the Catholic Church

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Contents

islam today issue 36 vol. 4 June 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.

Page

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The 7th Catholic - Shi'a Dialogue Qum & Mashhad, Iran

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Visit to the ‘Instituto Universitario Sophia’ Loppiano (FI), Italy

Muslims and Christians continue building bridges through dialogue

Editorial team

St. Ottilien Archabbey, Germany

Managing Director

M. Saeed Bahmanpour

Chief Editor

Amir De Martino

Managing Editor

Anousheh Mireskandari

Layout and Design

Innovative Graphics

Contact us Information

info@islam-today.net

Letters to the Editor

letters@islam-today.net

Article Submissions

submit@islam-today.net

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2nd International Conference on Shi’i Studies 7 - 8 May 2016 - London

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MSEN 2nd Annual Presentation Day 2106

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Art

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Camp Fatimiyyah and Camp Baqiriyyah

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Ramadhan; ‘Opportunity Knocks'

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The Holy Fasting Month

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Women in the Catholic Church; are they being ignored?

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A new perspective on High Fat Dairy Food

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Children Corner

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What & Where

at the Islamic Centre of England

One 2 One with Muhammad Umar - by Moriam Grillo

Organised by Majlis-e-Ulama-e-Shia (Europe)

www.islam-today.co.uk Follow us: islamtodaymag @islamtodaymaguk

Publisher The Islamic Centre of England 140 Maida Vale London W9 1QB Tel: +44 20 7604 5500 ISSN 22051-2503

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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by Sheikh Mirza Abbas Raza

Poem by sister A Abrahamsen

by Revd. Frank Julian Gelli

by Dr Laleh Lohrasbi

by Ghazaleh Kamrani

Listing of events

Report

The 7th Catholic - Shi'a Dialogue Qum & Mashhad - Iran

T

he cities of Qum and Mashhad in Iran hosted the 7th round of Catholic - Shi’a dialogue early this May. The Catholic group which was invited by Dr Mohammad Ali Shomali comprised of Abbot Primate Notker Wolf, head of the Benedictine Confederation, Father William Skudlarek, General Secretary of ‘Monastic and Interfaith Dialogue’, Fr. Timothy Wright, the former Abbot of Ampleforth Abbey, England (currently lecturer at Berkley Centre for Religion, Peace & World Affairs USA), Brother Godfroy, Brother Ponte and Sister Loraine from France, Father Maximillian from Kenya (PhD candidate at Pontifical Institute for Arabic and Islamic Studies) and Dr. De Colina from Germany.

During the three-day dialogue the group presented papers and engaged in discussions on various subjects. While in Qum, they participated in a lecture by Ayatollah Javad Fadhil on ‘Human Dignity in Shia Jurisprudence’ at the Institute of the Aemeh Athar. A visit was arranged to the University of Religion and Denominations, the holy shrine of Lady Masoumeh(sa) and the Mosque of Jamkaran, followed by a trip to the International Book Fair in Tehran.

The group of scholars visited the shrine of Imam Redha(a) in the holy city of Mashhad and were greeted by the Director of International Affairs. They attended a lecture on the history of Imam Redha(a) and the concept of Imamate. This was followed by a visit to the Museum of Qur’an house to some magnificent Quranic manuscripts attributed to Imam Redha(a)and Imam Sajjad(a). Other visits included the School of Theology at the Ferdowsi University and the tomb of Abul Qasim Ferdowsi in Tus. In an interview with islam today Dr Shomali said these meetings are important to help believers face the challenges of today’s world: “As I was saying to a Catholic friend once, when we [believers] love each other and show friendship towards one another, no media will cover this. If a Muslim clergyman and Catholic monk start fighting over their beliefs all the media will

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Catholic - Shi'a Dialogue Timeline come to cover the story. Maybe this is not such a bad idea as being good is a natural thing and the media only covers something which is unusual. Unfortunately we do not have equal coverage of positive initiatives. So I believe today is very important for religious people to be seen together. It is one thing to have this relationship and another to show these testimonies to others. Some people, who have no religion, love to see religious people fighting among themselves. They like to dismiss all religions and any concept of holiness. If we invite other people to God and to faith we can overcome the problems and together we can be stronger in our message, because we are no longer seen as sectarian messengers of the things we only have an interest in.”

Dr Shomali said he believes strongly that Christians and Muslims are but people of the same family as we all are followers of Prophet Abraham(a). He said that Islam, Christianity and Judaism belong to the same tradition but different branches so it would be much more natural to be in dialogue with each other [believers] than with people who have no faith in the Divine, or have no religion or do not belong to the Abrahamic tradition. He added: “Of course even with others we can have dialogue but with these people it comes very naturally because of our commonalities.”

He further expanded on the view of Islamic eschatology and what happens at the end of time. He said: “There is a kind of an indication and reference to Islam and Christianity coming together and playing a great role when time comes. Our belief is that when Imam al-Mahdi(aj) comes Jesus(a) will also return.

There must be a reason for this! Why among all the prophets is the Prophet Jesus(a)appointed to return? It shows that Christianity will be an important player just as Shia Islam.

These two communities should work together for the betterment of humanity. So we need this relationship to develop and grow fellowship and collaboration.”

According to Dr Shomali participants in this interfaith and interreligious trip felt a deep sense of friendship that is getting deeper with every meeting. Even those who attended for the first time felt the same.

It is planned for the next meeting of dialogue to be held in Kenya where there has been some tension between Christians and Muslims and where meetings such as this may carry significant importance as a testimony of love and brotherhood among both faiths.

It is hoped that the 7th round of Catholic - Shi’a dialogue will be followed with another book as per previous dialogues. 

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7th Catholic - Shi‘a Dialogue in Qom/Mashhad On ‘Dignity of Being a Human’ 2016 Publication of the book: Monks and Muslims III: Towards a Global Abrahamic Community 2015 th 6 Catholic - Shi‘a Dialogue in Assisi On ‘Community’ 2015 Publication of the book: Monks and Muslims II: Creating Communities of Friendship 2014 5th Catholic - Shi‘a Dialogue in Qom On ‘Friendship’ Publication of the book: Monks and Muslims: Monastic Spirituality in Dialogue with Islam 2012 4th Catholic - Shi‘a Dialogue in Rome On ‘Scripture and Praying’ 2011 Publication of the book: ‘Ethics in today’s society’ 2008 rd 3 Catholic - Shi‘a Dialogue in UK Heythrop College and Worth Abbey 2007 Publication of the book: Reason and Faith, in Theory and Practice 2006 2nd Catholic - Shi‘a Dialogue in UK Heythrop College London and Ampleforth Abbey 2005 Abbot Timothy and Father Bonaventura and two people from Heythrop College, Anthony Mahony and Michael Barnes SJ visited Qom 2004 Publication of the book: Catholic and Shi‘a in Dialogue: Studies in Theology and Spirituality 2004 st 1 Catholic - Shi‘a Dialogue in UK Heythrop College London and Ampleforth Abbey 2003 Abbot Timothy Wright and Father Wulstan visit Qom - Iran 2002 Dr Shomali invited by Abbot Timothy Wright to give lectures on Islam at Ampleforth Abbey 2001 Dr Shomali visit to Rome and Loppiano 1999 First visit to Ampleforth Abbey Initial encounter - Liverpool - UK 1997

Visit to the ‘Instituto Universitario Sophia’

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he Sophia University Institute in Loppiano (FI), Italy was established in honour of Chiara Lubich (founder of the Focolare Movement) in 2008 after her death.

The relationship between the university and the Shia Scholars started long before it became a university. Hujjatul-Islam Dr Muhammad Ali Shomali’s first visit took place back in 1999.

These meeting represent the foundation of a long friendship and dialogue. Discussions varied from talking about Sophia [Latin word for Wisdom] to the future of humanity. From the discussion between the university academics and Shi’a scholars it soon became clear that they had many common ideas about unity and inter-religious dialogue that could be developed in practical projects.

Dr Shomali’s recent visit to the university took place in February 2015, where he held public as well as informal meetings with staff and students. Following that meeting Dr Shomali was invited by the president of the university Prof. Msgr. Coda Piero to return to the university and teach a course to MA students which was scheduled to start in 2016. The course which is based on inter-religious dialogue was for the first time to be taught by lecturers from different religious traditions in order to share similar experiences and ideas.

Dr Shomali delivered his first lecture during a four-hour morning and afternoon session in April 2016. He talked about his personal involvement in inter-religious dialogue, presenting a brief summary of his twenty-year rich experience in the field of interfaith. A part of his discussion was also about Shia Islam and the foundation for dialogue according to Shia Islam. Dr Shomali further spoke about the importance of inter-religious dialogue and the future of humanity based on unity.

Following this academic engagement, the plan is to have a three-day programme in July 2016 [after the month of Ramadhan]. The university president Prof. Coda Piero and Dr Shomali will be discussing subjects related to unity between different faith groups, Muslim and Christians in particular and some of the ideas can be actualised in the near future.

Hujjatul-Islam Dr Shomali will be taking a group of scholars in the next encounter to present the Muslim Shia perspective while Prof. Coda Piero will lead the Catholic/ Focolare Movement side.

“The April meeting was a fruitful meeting. After many years of friendship and talk, the two groups are now ready to move into more focused, scholarly but at the same time spiritual discussion on unity and cooperation,” said Dr Shomali. 

Muslims and Christians continue building bridges through dialogue St. Ottilien Archabbey – Germany

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e live in a world where all too often religion only makes the headlines when being employed by a group of extremists trying to justify their warped ideologies, ideologies, which are rarely shared by the majority of those who follow the same faith.

Not a day passes without an Islamophobic or anti-Semitic incident occurring somewhere, or a person or group of people are brutally murdered for the faith they choose to follow.

Unfortunately, rarely do the media give any attention to the tireless efforts by people of faith to counter this extremism and hate, which is sweeping across Europe and the rest of the world.

The media does not tell us when people of one faith are stepping out of their comfort zones and extending an olive branch to other believers. The majority of us remain oblivious to the friendships which are being formed through these efforts.

One such event took place in late April at St. Ottilien Archabbey a beautiful and tranquil Benedictine Monastery in Emming, in the German district of Landsberg. St. Ottilien boasts its own farms, power station, guest house and a school for 700 children.

The Monastery became the unlikely venue for a meeting between a group of monks, led by Brother Josef Gotze, and a group of Shi’a Muslim Scholars and students from various countries, led by Dr. Mohammad Ali Shomali.

During the course of these four days, members from each group presented papers on topics such as; ‘the importance of dialogue and peace between different religions’, ‘family values’, ‘hospitality and refugees’, ‘social justice’, ‘the environment’, and ‘prayer’.

The presentations and subsequent discussions provided participants with the opportunity to think and look beyond differences and realise just how much the two faiths share in common. As Dr. Shomali so eloquently put it, as humans we are “more attentive to differences. It is time we trained ourselves to look beyond these differences and see the commonalities, to see our shared humanity and shared belief in God.” The meeting became a prime example for tackling the rising tide of hate with dialogue and love. And even though the event only lasted a few days, the friendships formed will continue for many years to come.

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Conference

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n international conference on Shi'i studies brought together speakers and participants from across the globe, some travelling from as far afield as Australia and Argentina. The conference was hosted at The Islamic College on 7-8 May in London. This year’s conference successfully highlighted the diversity of new research within Shi'i studies. Talks ranged from the traditional scholarly subjects such as fiqh and hadith to sociological, anthropological and epistemological studies. Key contemporary issues involving Shi'as and Shi'ism, such as feminism and Tafkikis were also discussed.

This is the second year the Islamic College has hosted the International Conference on Shi'i Studies. The conference was organised by the Journal of Shia Islamic Studies, the Islamic Centre of England, and the Institute for Islamic studies in Iran.

Following on from last year’s success, they decided to hold this year’s event over two days. While last year’s

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discussions were mostly focussed on the pedagogical study of Shi'ism itself, this year’s agenda was more diverse and included pedagogical studies.

The proceedings of the conference will be published in the Journal of Shi'a Islamic Studies, an academic, peer-reviewed journal, focusing on studies of Shi'ism and Shi'as which is now in its ninth year.

One of the speakers at the conference, Professor Ali Paya delivered a talk looking at ‘The Disenchantment of Reason: An Anti-Rational Trend in Modern Shi'i Thought – The Tafkikis’. He focused mostly on an epistemological point of view of the basic tenets of a powerful anti-intellectual trend in modern Shi'i thought known as the Tafkikis School.

“While anti-rational and non-rational trends, tendencies and approaches form a spectrum in which a large variety of positions can be identified, rationality is identified solely by

“The conference was an opportunity for researchers from around the world to gather and present their research on different aspects of Shi‘ism and the experiences of Shi‘i peoples. I enjoyed the diversity of the subjects as well as the thoughtfulness that they approached their topics with. We are looking forward to printing their papers.”

-Amina Inloes - Managing Editor, Journal of Shi‘a Islamic Studies

subscribing to valid and sound arguments. It is important to note that even anti-rationalists and non-rationalists, e.g. Sophists, make use of arguments but the type of arguments they use are invalid and fallacious. Moreover, for them, the final arbiters in judgements about knowledge claims are things other than critical reason and reality.” Professor Ali Paya – The Islamic College, London and University of Westminster, London The college also put up a bookstall selling ICAS, MIU, and EWI publications offering all participants and attendees 50% off all books.

The Annual International Conference on Shi'i Studies aims to strengthen the field of Shi'i Studies by bringing together academics to present the outcomes of their latest research and to cultivate an environment for intellectual discussions and interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary collaborations.

“The Conference was absolutely fantastic, and the wide variety of speakers and topics were intellectually stimulating. It was good to see that this conference attracted speakers from around the world.” - Fatema Muraj, an attendee

With regard to this year’s conference it seems the consensus of the participants and attendees was that it succeeded in achieving its stated goal by creating a platform for critical examination and scholarly elaboration of new ideas and emerging trends within the sphere of Shi'i Studies.

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MSEN held its 2nd annual presentation day in late April at the Islamic Centre of England in Maida Vale London.

The event was well attended by over 400 madrasa children, parents, teachers and honourable scholars from all over the UK representing 11 Shia Islamic Centres/ImamBargah.

The APD event was managed professionally by MSEN (Muslim School Education Network). The purpose of the event is to provide a national platform for children to creatively perform, gain confidence and motivation from others and importantly, build networks, friendship and unity with all.

The event had everything from beautiful Nasheeds, Quranic recitations, creative comedy sketches, to a very physical display of self-defence! The audience had a great time, with a lot of happiness, laughter and appreciation evident throughout the day.

The performances were very well-prepared and everyone enjoyed them all. MSEN partner Schools teams who performed on the day were:

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 Educational Institute of Islamic Centre of England  Masjid-e-Ali Education Centre Luton  Hussaini Islamic Mission Hunslow  MCE Quran Madressa Ilford  Imamia Mission London  Ahlul Bayt School East Londo  Idara-e-Jaffariya London  PreHowza London  Islamic Republic of Iran School London  Hidayah Youth Sakina Trust East London  Zainbiya Islamic School Reading

After the performances an awards ceremony was held in which the extraordinary efforts of some teachers were recognised.

The welcome speech was delivered by the President of MSEN Dr Azhar Hassan Raza. Dr Azhar discussed the MSEN roadmap and its future plans.

The guest speaker was the honourable Shiekh Dr Mohammad Ali Shomali who discussed the rights of the students over the teacher and vice versa. It was a fascinating speech inspiring all teachers, parents and students present.

The closing speech was delivered by Sheikh Isa Jahangir – Head of Islamic College for Advanced Studies. In his talk Jahangir thanked parents, teachers and all teams for their hard work to make the event successful.

One exciting feature of this year’s APD event was the

exhibitions set up by five schools; -Islamic Centre of England (Theme: Imam Zaman(aj) and Qur’an) -MCE Qur’an Madressa (Theme: Chapter Al-Feel [The Elephant]) -MAEC Luton (Theme: Qur’an & Imam Ali (a)) -Hussaini Islamic Mission -Ahlul Bayt The planning for this event started back in January 2016, in close collaboration with the Islamic Centre of England team. Hours of meetings, discussions and preparations went into its organisation. According to the result of feedback forms the event scored 86% satisfaction, which represents a great result.

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Art Art Editor Moriam Grillo

One 2 One with Muhammad Umar

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t is the Prophet Muhammad’s(s) Sunnah (example) which inspires and motivates us towards actualising the best in ourselves. The prophet used sacred stories to elucidate his visionary mission and charge our imaginations. This month, in conversation with Nigerian writer Muhammad Umar, we discuss the power of story and how it can shape hearts and minds.

“I am naturally a very curious person. I always wanted to know things. I am inspired by political themes more than others. As Muslim I am inspired by justice and fairness but as a writer, I get drawn to try my hand on other topics, just to prove that I can do it." Muhammad Umar Muhammad Umar came to book writing after an established career in journalism. To date he has written several books for both adults and children. Only haven I recently become aware of his work, I was curious to find out what inspired him to combine his love of realism with imagination.

Your first novel 'Amina' is a social document which recounts a startling reality whilst encouraging the reader to hope and dream. Why was writing this novel important to you?

When I saw what was happening in and around my area, I began to ask questions and no one seemed to have answers for me. It was the search for answers that led me to writing the story. I always wanted to be a writer and in my novel I wanted to show the reality for posterity. There is too much injustice and oppression being carried out especially in Muslim countries and especially in the name of religion.

When I realised that I could write I decided to make sure what I experienced was shared in the form of a story. I just couldn’t keep those experiences in me. Someone ought to speak out loudly and expose the hypocrisy and outright lies of the ruling classes.

Your protagonist Amina has been described as an Islamic feminist...

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Mohammed Umar was born in Azare in Nigeria’s Bauchi State. He studied journalism in Moscow and political economy in London.

Mohammed Umar serves as a judge for the Caine Prize for African Writing in 2009. His first novel Amina (2005) has been published in over thirty languages. His other books include the Adventures of Jamil (2012), The Illegal Immigrant (20160, and the Hunter Becomes Hunted (2016). He lives in London.

Yes she is and I make no apologies for that. It is not a contradiction at all. Amina is a woman who became conscious of the way her beloved religion was being misinterpreted to suit the patriarchal society. She recognised the way in which women especially were being subjected to unnecessary restrictions in modern day society. These are restrictions she found hard to accept because they were not practised even during the time of our beloved Prophet Muhammad(s). So first she organised the women and educated them and when the government banned them she decided to demonstrate against such harsh policies with a view to making other people understand the inhuman nature of such practices.

What experiences whilst working as a journalist influenced your writing?

So many experiences. Straight after my expulsion from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, in 1981, I was fortunate to be offered a job as a reporter in a radio station. I travelled to different parts of the state and reported from courts, offices, police stations, prisons, mosques etc. It was a huge experience because even though I was born and brought up in that area, I took so many things for granted until I had to listen to the stories of ordinary people and report these incidents. I think it was my experiences in the courts that made me think more than any other. It was there that I saw first-hand legal oppression and powerlessness of the poor. I witnessed the brutality of the security forces and corruption in government offices. Visiting and reporting on droughtstricken areas really opened my eyes.

Having studied Political Science and Journalism, is it fair to say you perceive the world through a particular lens?

Yes it is. Political science taught me to look at particular issues from a particular angle. I was very fortunate to have been exposed at an early age to different political systems and theories. When I accidentally became a journalist, the knowledge I acquired in the classroom helped me understand the way the society was formed and how it functioned. Journalism taught me to examine things critically

“Amina opens up like a soft music and it keeps that rhythm going even when tough things are happening.

I think this is what is special about it. The soft music carries on even when the fury and anger grows loud.” before reaching a conclusion. I leant to ask questions and not to assume.

I was very fortunate because I studied Journalism in Moscow under the Communists – an education that enriched my understanding of the system in the former Soviet Union. I then studied Political Economy at Middlesex University in the UK. The latter education helps me understand the system in the west.

- Fatema Mernissi, sociologist and writer The novel Amina is available in paperback from Amazon

Why do you believe there is a lack of imagination being exercised amongst Muslims?

The short answer is the type of education that has been in place in Muslim countries over the centuries. Muslims are not taught to have multi-dimensional thinking. Once a child is moulded in a one-direction mode of thinking it’s very hard to think critically and imaginatively. Partly, that explains why Muslim writers are not very prolific because their readers are not very receptive to imaginative ideas. There is also a fear factor. Most Muslim countries are very repressive and repression has a way of making people fear imagination. Although some Muslim countries are rich in resources, lack of imagination has made Muslims poor in utilising these resources.

Our lack of imagination is primarily down to our attitude to knowledge in general. As Muslims we do not take knowledge seriously. Knowledge that was once the strength of Islam is now its weakness. Ignorance is the biggest enemy of Islam. We must not forget that a lot of Muslim countries were colonised and have not really freed themselves from this yoke and become creative. In western societies, Muslims find themselves restricted by so many contradictions. While on the one hand we know we could do better because we are intellectually capable like any other people, we tend to sit back and hope instead of aspire to be better human beings.

How can engaging with story improve this?

Stories are the best forms of engaging the mind especially from an early age. It’s important the mind is opened as early as possible and only imaginative stories can do that.

The developed countries are way ahead because of the way they engage the minds of the people. They spend substantial amounts of their resources engaging the minds of the people while most Muslim countries do the exact opposite. Having said that, it’s not in all cases that repression stifles imagination. The Tsarist period in Russia produced the most imaginative and prolific writers.

Unfortunately in the Muslim world, repression has put both physical and mental veils on the people.

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

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ajlis-e-Ulama-e-Shia (Europe) organised two camps this year during the Easter break: Camp Fatimiyyah for girls, which took place at the end of March 2016 and Camp Baqiriyyah for boys the following month. The venue for both camps was Condover Hall, a prestigious and elegant Elizabethan manor house near Shrewsbury in Shropshire.

Camp Fatimiyyah was attended by 87 girls, as well as a staff of 10 team leaders and teachers, including Dr. Rebecca Masterton and the supervisor and coordinator Syeda Umme Farwa.

There was great enthusiasm from all involved.

Various physical and spiritual activities were organised, including workshops on prayers, wudhu (ablution), responsibilities towards parents and the purpose of our creation. Congregational prayers were held outdoors, as well as the recitations of Dua-e-Ahad and Ziyarat-e-Ashura. The focal point of the camp was when the girls celebrated the birth of Lady Fatima Zahra(s), and this involved an Islamic quiz. This ceremony provided the girls with an opportunity to learn as well as connect with one another and the team leaders in an informal setting.

Similarly, Camp Baqiriyyah enjoyed a high attendance of 60 boys, as well as 13 staff members, including four scholars. Various physical activities were organised in addition to spiritual and educational workshops and lectures, covering many areas of Islamic teachings, from Islamic law to the Seerah of the Infallibles(a).

Lectures were delivered by Maulana Ahmad Mukhtar Najafi, Maulana Syed Asrar Kazmi, and Maulana Muazzam Ali Qummi.

The highlight of the boys’ camp was the celebration of the birth of Imam Muhammad alBaqir(a), in which they learnt about his life and his

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legacy. This was followed by a quiz to test their Islamic knowledge and what they had learnt during the camp.

Each of the camps ended with a presentation ceremony attended by Allama Zafar Abbas Malik, the President of Majlis-e-Ulama-e-Shia. Trophies were presented to winners of the quiz, and attendance certificates were given to all girls and boys.

The participants in both camps and their families gave very positive feedback with many saying they would like the camps to last longer. The camps provided an opportunity to the participants to reconnect with their religion and with God, as well as to form new bonds and friendships amongst themselves. They provided an uplifting experience for the soul and left an enduring impact on everyone involved.ď Ź

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Faith

R a ma d ha n; ' O p p o r t u n it y Knocks' W

e are probably all familiar with sayings “opportunity only knocks once" and “if opportunity does not knock built a door". For Muslims the month of Ramadhan is a great opportunity to tap into the meta-physical realities and hidden secrets. The Divine Mercy not only builds a door for us but also knocks it many times over and says “do not lose hope in the Mercy of God".

For Muslims, Ramadhan is known as the month of God and this has been mentioned in a sermon delivered by the Prophet in Sha’ban, the month proceeding the holy month of Ramadhan. In another narration the 8th Shi’a Imam al Ridha(a) mentions that “Do not say Ramadhan arrived and Ramadhan went but rather say the month of Ramadhan arrived and the month of Ramadhan is gone, because Ramadhan is one of the names of God”. When the month of Ramadhan is the month of God and also one of the names of God then what it contains within will be Godly as well. This month will contain within it a source of “return” (ruj’u) towards God. I would like to point out few facets of this divine month. As we mentioned earlier it is primarily an opportunity.

Ramadhan as an opportunity to perform takhliya (making oneself empty / detachment) The month of Ramadhan is the month of takhliya, known as detachment and also ‘making empty’ in the lexical sense and once this ‘making empty’ takes place then the nuzool (descent) in the true sense will take place. An echo of this can be seen in the far eastern Taoist philosophy which asserts, “it is the empty space of the wheel which makes the wheel”. The goal is to empty oneself of desire for food, sex,

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lust, passion, ego and most human conditions, so that the word of God can fill this void as it descends on the night of qadr (power).

The detachment from ego, worldly desires or world (dunnya) must happen first for one to get attached to the spiritual, heavenly qualities or the hereafter (akhira). Not eating & drinking is very symbolic of the fact that you are emptying yourself that you are detaching yourself from the human condition to aspire and to acquire angelic qualities because angels do not eat or drink but rather are filled with the remembrance of the Divine. No wonder the Prophet of Islam in the last sermon of Sha’ban is reported to have said: “The breath of a person who fasts is remembrance (dhikr) and their sleep is worship (ibadah)”.

Ramadhan an opportunity to perform khalwa (spiritual retreat) Truth is self-evident and it does not require a profound explanation. Man has completely realised that occasional withdrawal from full life not only tends to provide appreciation of life but also to provide a better means to treat and utilise it. This withdrawal can be considered ascetic in the spiritual terminology. Ramadhan becomes the vehicle through which man performs a khalwa while not eating and drinking (fasting), appreciating that food and drink are blessings and gifts of God and that He is the fa’il (Actor) and the provider of this blessing. This contemplation is made possible by khalwa, where the fasting person yearns for food and realises in the first instance the command of God that he or she is fasting and on a deeper level yearns to receive the reward of the fast through God Himself.

Do not say Ramadhan arrived and Ramadhan went but rather say the month of Ramadhan arrived and the month of Ramadhan is gone, because Ramadhan is one of the names of God”. Imam al Ridha(a)

As the Prophet of Islam has said: “God says, ‘Fasting is for me and I am the one to give the reward’.” The usage of ‘I’ is considered quite unique by 16th century scholar Muhammad Taqi Majlisi in the sense that: “God did not just say fast is for Me but rather He says ‘I’ will reward. He use the term ‘I’ which is in the first person pronoun. The reason for this unique portrayal of the importance of fasting is because God usually speaks either in the third person pronoun such as “He is the one who sent down…”, “He is the one who sent the revelation” or He speaks with the connotation of Majestic ‘We’, for instance, “We revealed on the Night of qadr”.

However in this narration He has used the first person pronoun. Furthermore this narration can also be translated as, “I am the reward” and this makes it more mysterious and spiritual that the reward of fast is God Himself. God being the reward can be understood, when one reaches the level where one sees the Nourisher (Razzaq) Himself when he realises he or she needs nourishment in the same way as a person yearning for food or drink. This is what we mean when we say seeing the fa’il (Actor) Himself.

Regardless, in both cases the performer of the fast will have the opportunity to meet God in order to take the reward or be graced by being allowed in the presence of God if the reward is God Himself.

The month of Ramadhan an opportunity to freedom The most precious and valuable phenomenon for humans is ‘freedom’. God is free and He wants us to be free as well.

When man achieves his freedom then he is a true khalifatullah (vicegerent) of God. There is no other value greater than the value of freedom. The month of

Ramadhan provides an opportunity to free ourselves as the Prophet of Islam has reportedly said: “O people you are not free but imprisoned and you do not even realise that you are in one. The sins that you have committed have imprisoned you, in the month of Ramadhan with istaghfaar (seeking forgiveness) free yourself”.

As the first Shi’a Imam Ali(a) says, the way to freedom is by “cleaning what has remained in our teeth”, which is explained as one must leave the previous leftover thoughts, his positions or designated status, heritage, wealth, lineage etc. If man divests himself of all these which means he pays no attention to and he does not desire them then he is free. As the Qur’an says; “…every man is hostage to what he has earned” (52.21). In another chapter it asserts the same with an exception, “Every soul is held in pledge what it earns. Except the people of the right hand” (74:38-39). The people of the right hand are those who have freed themselves from all the ills and norms that society dictates. The methodology provided is seeking forgiveness while fasting in order to free ourselves from the idols or ideals that imprison us. 

Sheikh Mirza Abbas Raza holds an MA in Theology from University of Birmingham. He is currently working on his Phd on Islamic Mysticism (irfan) at the University of Exeter. He also lectures at Hawza Ilmiyya of England and Islamic College of Advanced Studies in London.

Photo by Taraneh Eskandari islam today

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In the name of God the compassionate the Merciful

The Holy Fasting Month Blessed Ramadhan of the Faithful With Mystic Eye turned inward Gazing upon All that is Beauty Grace Mercy The Abundance of Our Lord Most High Descending upon Those in Prostration Its fragrant petals Unfolding Day by Day Moment by moment Prayer-time by prayer time In our ecstasy, we Barely even can Take leave of our praise And adoration of You, O Lord!

Most Magnificent, Most Powerful Most Praiseworthy Sweetness, Bliss, and Light upon Light To return, earthly existence Calling! The Fast time Approacheth! Finish the Body’s nourishment While the Heart calls Return! Return!

Dwell with Me In Timeless Ecstasy!

Poem by sister A Abrahamsen

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Photo by Taraneh Eskandari

The Holy Fasting Month

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Interfaith

t h e C a t h ol i c C h u r c h ;

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Pope Francis has recently dedicated his prayer intention for the month of May to women. That means that women are the purpose or aim of his regular devotions for the whole of that month.

W

hen the next Council of the Catholic Church will St Paul’s First Letter to Timothy, that seems to contradict take place the Pope will have his wife with him.

Bianchi’s assertion: ‘I permit no woman to teach or have And the Pope presiding over the next council authority over men’ (2:12). Nonetheless, observe that this is after may well have her husband with her!’ An the Apostle speaking, not Christ himself. Thus Bianchi has old joke we used to laugh at when I was a theological a prima facie point. Still, in a subsequent recantation student back in the 80s. Decades later, the joke remains published in the same organ, Bianchi apologised for his just that. The Pope is still male. And unmarried. Yet, the suggestion. His intention was to stimulate discussion but he debate concerning the role of women in the Catholic accepted that the actual canonical discipline of the Catholic Church has not gone away. When I told a Roman Catholic Church is crystal-clear: the homily during the celebration of priest friend, Father Marius, that Italian feminist journalist the Mass is strictly reserved for either the priest or the and academic Lucetta Scaraffia contends that the Church deacon. Women can be neither. Therefore no woman can neglects the contribution of women, he exploded: ‘That is preach. End of the story – for the time being. absurd! Nuns are, and always have been, some of the most Pope Francis has recently dedicated his prayer intention for active, powerful and influential figures in parish life and the month of May to women. That means that women are other ministries.’ the purpose or aim of his regular devotions for the whole of That is true but it partly misses the point. Any priest will that month. Of course, May is already the appointed time vouch that nuns are often authority-laden figures in parish for invocations to the Virgin Mary – in Christianity the ideal, life. Further, religious women do all-holy model woman. So the teach in church schools and Pope has rightly emphasised seminaries, minister to the sick women’s key role in family life, as ... the Pope has rightly emphasised in hospitals, work as chaplains, well their many sufferings when and conduct retreats and so on. they are enslaved or raped and women’s key role in family life, as However, the reality is that not all abused across the world. That well their many sufferings when women have a vocation to be will not be quite enough to they are enslaved or raped and nuns. They are and will remain a pacify Catholic feminists, I abused across the world. That will small minority. Dr Scaraffia’s suspect.

Particularly, the criticism was directed chiefly at reference to woman’s traditional not be quite enough to pacify the limited role of lay women in role in family life is unlikely to Catholic feminists... the intellectual life of Catholicism please them. and in matters of leadership. For example, early in Pope Francis’ Secretary of State Cardinal papacy it was mooted that he might have appointed a Parolin has said to journalists that there is no reason one female cardinal but nothing has come out of it. Nor is any day a woman could not have his job. He means that the Vatican major department headed by a woman. Despite political job of a Secretary of State is not identical with that women having an increasing presence inside Vatican City as of an ordained priest. His function is essentially that of a art historians, journalists, office heads and archivists, the statesman, not a prelate, and so even a lay person, male or top ranks of the Church remain resolutely and uniformly female, could do it. All that is technically true but the occupied by men.

Vatican State is not really like other States or political The almost revolutionary idea of allowing women to preach entities. It is a theocratic organisation, headed by a Pontiff the sermon (Catholics call it ‘homily’) during Mass was and run largely by clergy. Maybe a female Vatican ‘Prime advanced in an article by Catherine Aubin, printed in a Minister’ is conceivable but, ahem, it would still be a bit of women’s supplement of L’Osservatore Romano, the official an anomaly, at best only a token gesture.

Vatican publication. She invoked the names of famous and great saints like St Genevieve, St Joan of Arc and St The biggest stumbling block to women’s career Catherine of Siena. In support, the author also mentioned advancement in the Catholic Church is that they cannot be the opinion of the progressive monk and theologian, Enzo priests. There is no indication that the Pope is willing to Bianchi. He claimed that there is no Gospel prohibition contemplate a change there. Such a move would contradict against having women preachers and therefore asked: ‘Why two thousand years of unbroken tradition, cause a rupture not?’ Actually, there is a passage in the New Testament, in with the Eastern Orthodox Churches and probably

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precipitate a worldwide schism. In comparison with which the secession of traditionalist Archbishop Lefevre after Vatican II would be like a Vicarage tea party.

In the Gospels Christ does not ignore women. He addresses himself to both genders without distinction.

His message is as much given to women as to men.

In the Gospels Christ does not ignore women. He addresses himself to both genders without distinction. His message is as much given to women as to men. Devout women followed him and ministered to his wants. At last, when the disciples had fled, women stood by him at the foot of the Cross. After the Resurrection, not men but women were the first to receive the privilege of seeing the risen Lord.

Some Christian churches have already embraced female ordination. Mostly they are Protestant or post-Reformation bodies, like the Church of England and its US counterpart, the Episcopal Church.

One key argument put forward in favour of women priests has been that the Church needs to reflect the society to which it ministers.

As women are now largely equal in full employment opportunities with men, how can a church that does not open its priesthood to women be taken seriously by society? However, the proof of the pudding is in the eating.

On the other hand, the twelve Apostles Christ chose were men and so were the Seventy who were sent forth to preach the good news of the Kingdom of God. It shows that there were functions and responsibilities which at first the Lord assigned to men and not to women. In terms of spiritual privilege, there is equality between genders but as regards religious vocation and public duties it can be argued that Christ laid down diversity, not sameness.

Another argument against women’s ordination is that

Episcopalians ordained women 40 years ago but that church has not flourished thereafter. Instead, it has lost half of its membership. Similarly the Church of England’s decline has continued apace since 1993, when the General Synod passed legislation permitting women’s ordination.

For the first time Sunday attendances have fallen to an alltime low, 760.000. There may be additional causes for the crisis but the least you can say is that having women priests has not dramatically helped.

At the end of the day, the feminist claims to full equality in the Church cannot be definitely rebutted with either rational or pragmatic arguments. Feminism is, I think, an irresistible expression of the spirit of the age, the dominant ethos of Western culture.

A witty remark by Dean Inge comes to mind, however: ‘He who marries the spirit of the age will soon find himself a widower’.

female priests were a rare custom found only amongst heretical sects. St Epiphanius of Salamis (315-403 AD) indeed wrote a treatise against eighty heresies or false teachings known to him. One he calls the Collyridians.

They offered idolatrous sacrifices to the Virgin Mary and appointed priestesses. Such deviant practices were enough for the Saint to declare the Collyridians as heretical.

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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.

Translated by Alexander Khaleeli Introduced by Mohammad Mehdi Baghi Edited by Mohammad Mehdi Baghi and Mohammed Ali Ismail Paperback: ÂŁ20:00 Hardback: ÂŁ30:00 Publication of The Islamic College for Advanced Studies

Sheikh Shomali series of lectures on the Munajat al Murid https://www.youtube.com/user/safintunnajaah/ Munyat al-Murid, part 1, Introduction for the KLC by Sheikh Dr Shomali, 20th March 2016

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Health Health Editor Laleh Lohrasbi

A new p e r sp e c t i v e on H i g h F a t D a i r y F ood

People who eat a lot of high-fat dairy products actually have the lowest incidence of diabetes leading researchers to speculate that while calcium, protein, vitamin D and other nutrients in yogurt are indeed good for us, we need the fat that goes along with them in order to benefit from their protective properties.

P

eople are tired of hearing what is good and what is bad for their health. One day you hear that egg yolk is very bad with high cholesterol levels, and then you get bombarded with posts on social media that we should eat at least two eggs a week otherwise we will develop high levels of bad cholesterol.

There is much confusion. While some people may simply choose to forget all they hear and just do what they want, others become stressed, doubting whether what they eat is right or wrong. The reality is although we should take what we hear with a pinch of salt we should accept that information coming from expert sources is usually based on long-term studies and cannot just be dismissed.

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One of the best examples is the debate around intake of fatty food. For years people were encouraged to avoid saturated animal fat and instead to use carbohydrates, but recent findings reveal that cutting fat from the diet can increase the body’s craving for sugary carbohydrates which is far more dangerous in building up bad cholesterols.

The other interesting finding is related to the use of skimmed dairy products for children and adults. For years, on the basis of studies that found children who consumed low-fat milk as part of a reduced-saturated-fat diet had lower concentrations of LDL cholesterol, the American Academy of Paediatrics believed that when the fat is taken out of milk, calories will be also reduced, therefore helping protect kids against becoming overweight.

However a study of preschool-aged children published in early 2013 in the Archives of Disease in Childhood, a sister publication of the British Medical Journal, found that low-fat milk was associated with higher weight. In fact kids drinking low-fat milk tended to be heavier. The study included about

10,700 children in the United States, chosen across all racial/ethnic and socioeconomic groups. Parents were interviewed about their child's milk consumption at two years old and again at age four.

These findings were confirmed by two separate studies published by Swedish researchers in the European Journal of Nutrition in Feb 2013 and the Scandinavian Journal of Primary Health Care in June 2013. Both studies found that high-fat dairy was associated with a lower risk of obesity.

In her article “Full Fat Paradox” in NPR.org, Alison Aubrey cites a study involving almost 3000 adults. This research has found that the dairy fats in milk, yogurt and cheese may help protect against Type 2 diabetes. “Beginning in the late 1980s, researchers took blood samples from the participants and measured circulating levels of biomarkers of dairy fat in their blood. Then, over the next two decades, the researchers tracked those among the participants who developed diabetes,” she writes.

She quotes Dariush Mozaffarian, one of the authors of the study: “People who had the most dairy fat in their diet had had about a 50% lower risk of diabetes compared with people who consumed the least dairy fat”. This selection of evidence suggests that dairy fat impacts positively on diabetes and cholesterol.

What might explain this phenomenon is that the higher levels of fat in whole milk products may make us feel fuller and as a result, the thinking goes, we may end up eating less. Or the explanation could be more complex. There may be bioactive substances in the milk fat that may be altering our metabolism in a way that helps us utilise the fat and burn it for energy, rather than storing it in our bodies.

Aubrey quotes Mark DeBoer, a paediatrician at the University of Virginia who believes the notion of ‘saturated fat is always bad for us’ is now under the question. DeBoer and Mozaffarian both believe that when people consume more low-fat dairy, they eat more carbohydrates as a way of compensating. Many high-carb foods such as cereals and breads that contain highly refined grains may in fact be less satisfying and can cause people to consume more calories.

With all the new evidence that challenges the ‘lowfat-is-best orthodoxy’, Mozaffarian says: “….it may be time to reconsider the National School Lunch Program rules, which allow only skimmed and low-fat milk and national policy should be neutral about dairy fat, until more information is available.”

However the recommendations that led to the fat-free dairy boom were, in part, born out of concerns about cholesterol. Whole-milk dairy products are relatively

high in saturated fat. And eating too much saturated fat can increase the risk of heart disease. This leads many experts to continue to agree that adults with high cholesterol should continue to limit dairy fat.

It has long been known that organic whole milk contains beneficial omega-3 fatty acids which can help prevent clogging of the arteries and that calcium, protein, vitamin D and other nutrients found in yogurt are indeed good for us.

However it is also increasingly becoming clear that we need the fat that goes along with them in order to benefit from their protective effects.

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 Illustrator Ghazaleh Kamrani

C

hildren, it is the time of the year when Muslims all around the world fast. Yes, the holy month of Ramadhan has arrived.

According to Islamic principles all Muslims who have no health issues or are not travelling should fast. But children only need to observe this rule from the age of the religious obligation.

Here, the boy of our story Ali Akbar, is only seven but he is insisting on starting a full fast (not eating or drinking from dawn to sunset). His parents allowed him to try for a couple of days but half way through the day he became weak and felt sick. His parents have asked him to eat during the day, but he refuses

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to eat. Ali Akbar believes that if he fasts then just like adults who perform their religious customs he would be a good Muslim. Therefore he has decided to fast no matter what.

He is right in thinking performing his Islamic rituals is good for his soul but God knows better. He has ordained a rule but with its own conditions. Ali is performing his prayers, but fasting, especially during these long summer days has proved difficult and dangerous for his health.

Ali Akbar says he wants to receive Savab (blessing) of God by fasting and performing daily prayers. That is all fine but fasting needs other strength that he hasn’t got at the moment. His parents, who appreciate his

anxiety, have come up with a noble idea. They’ve told Ali Akbar that they are proud to have a child who loves God so much and yearns to gain His blessings, but at the same God does not want little boys such as Ali Akbar to get ill by fasting when they are not ready to do so.

“So we have come up with an idea which earns you equal blessing”, they told Ali Akbar. “There are different ways to gain God’s blessing in this holy month. For example if someone gives food to a fasting person to open his fast (iftar) that person earns blessings of God as much as a fasting person. So when we go to the mosque for iftar, why don’t you

help in giving food out to the people who fasted so you get the blessings of God too?”

Ali Akbar thought about their suggestion, and accepted it. He said: “Ok this year I will try to get the blessing of God this way.” From that night on he went along with his parents to the mosque and was the first person to offer his help to the organisers who were giving food to the fasting people. 

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What & Where 2 June

Muslims to fulfil their Ramadhan and make key spiritual changes to their life.

Sadaqah and Salaam Storytelling and Rhymes

Venue: Abrar House, 45 Crawford Pl,

Join children's authors Aisha Mohammed, Sajida Mohammed and Elizabeth Lymer for stories, rhymes, and interactive fun about giving charity and spreading peace.

Treasures of Revelation Marylebone, London W1H 4LP

Time: 6:45 PM ­ 8:30 PM Entry: Free.

Prayer space available and street parking free from 6.30 PM

Venue: IHRC Bookshop & Gallery, 202 Preston Road, Wembley, HA9 8PA Time: 1.30 PM - 3.00 PM Fee: Free family event (recommended for children 2 yrs+) Booking:kamal@ihrc.org

3 June Languages or dialects? Celebrating the diversity of Arabics A one-day workshop featuring scholars from across Europe, North Africa and the Middle East, with presentations on linguistic and cultural aspects of the Arabic-based languages/dialects of Malta, Mauritania, Morocco, Oman, Palestine and South Sudan.

Venue: Kamran Djam Lecture Theatre (G2), College Buildings, SOAS University of London, Thornhaugh Street, Russell Square, London WC1H 0XG Time: 9.00 AM - 6.00 PM More info: www.soas.ac.uk/nme/events/03jun2016languages-or-dialects-celebrating-thediversity-of-arabic.html

4­5 June

4 June PREVENT, Islamophobia & Civil Liberties national conference One year ago the Prevent duty became statutory and has in practice charged teachers, doctors and other professionals with monitoring people’s religious and political views. It is eroding civil liberties and deepening discrimination against Muslims who are treated as a suspect community. This conference will examine the act’s implementation across different sectors. It aims to build on the growing opposition to the duty which has seen lecturers, teachers, lawyers, students, and community organisations come together and call for the act to be repealed.

Venue:Goldsmiths, University of London, SE14 6 NW Time: 11.00 AM - 6.00 PM Tickets: £5 Bookings: http://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/preventislamophobia-and-civil-liberties-

Join Al Kauthar on a journey through the Miraculous Qur’an. ‘The Treasures of Revelation’ will take a detailed look into the sciences that relate to the preserved and sacred Qur’an. Explore the reasons for revelation and some of the specific incidents that occurred during that period.

The serene experience will leave you wanting more. Increase your love for the Qur’an on this epic journey.

Venue: Queen Mary University, The Bancroft Building, Whitechapel, London E1 4NS Time: 8.30 AM - 7.00 PM Fee: £60.00 Registration:https://alkauthar.org/course_ enrol.php?course=704

5 June Writing your Will Al Ayn Charitable Foundation presents a seminar, at a unique setting, will introduce Islamic and legal perspectives on will writing. Join us for an opportunity to be better informed of your choices as well as a chance to have your questions answered.

The ticket price is inclusive of a will writing guide, and all profits go towards supporting orphans.

Venue: Harrow School, 5 High Street, Harrow, HA1 3HP

Time: 4.00 PM City Circle Friday Talks: Preparing for Ramadhan This is the last open talk at City Circle where a number of speakers will address issues surrounding Ramadhan. Ibn Jabal will talk about the excellence of the Arabic language. If not inspired to take up Arabic, we hope you will walk away with an appreciation of its power to shine a light on the Qur’an’s meaning. Iqbal Nasim from the National Zakat Foundation will talk about Zakat, often termed the forgotten pillar of Islam, especially in Western Muslim communities. The final speaker, Shahbaz Mirza, will present Ramadhan Legacy, a social enterprise that is dedicated to connect and empower

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Registration: www.wills.alayn.co.uk

Structural Dividers in Qur'anic Material: A Synthesis of Approaches This workshop will investigate the plausibility, and the implications, of a number of possible methods for understanding the Qur’an in accordance with a set of structurally-informed rules.

Convener: Marianna Klar (SOAS, University of London) mk81@soas.ac.uk Venue: Russell Square: College Buildings Room: 4429 & 4426 Time: 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM Attendance is free of charge, but registration is required (limited space).

From 7 June English lecture every night of the holy month of Ramadhan Leturers are delivered by: Sheikh S Bahmanpour - 7th to 16th June Sheikh M A SHomali - 17th to 26th June Sheikh A Haneef - from 27th till the end

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

Educational programmes during the month of Ramadhan 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

8 June

10 June Iftar for Aleppo ­ Islamic Relief (LADIES ONLY) An Iftar aiming to leave you feeling inspired and giving you the opportunity to gather the Rewards Of Ramadhan. As one of the very few NGOs that still has an operational office inside Aleppo city, Islamic Relief are standing alongside the Syrian people and supporting them in their hour of need.

Bobbers Mill Rd, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire NG7 5GZ Time: 6.30 PM More info: Call 07753 443 673

Religion in Sasanian Iran

Organised by Rosalind Wade Haddon, a seminar by Dr Julia Gonnella, Curator, Museum for Islamische Kunst, Berlin.

A gallery talk by Rachel Wood, British Museum. Gallery talks last 45 minutes.

They are given by Museum staff or guest speakers and are suitable for all levels of knowledge.

9 June Bridging Voices: Violent Extremism, Gender & the State This meeting will bring together government practitioners, religious authorities and academics from across Europe, the US and the MENA region to discuss how governments can address the underlying drivers of extremist violence and work effectively to challenge extremist messaging. The four sessions will cover themes such as faith-based hatred, extremist propaganda and recruitment, the role of education and families in counterextremism and cooperation between government and community groups.

Venue: St. Edmund's College, Cambridge Info:http://www.woolf.cam.ac.uk/events/det ails?year=2016&month=6&day=9#ID1070

Venue: CRASSH Meeting Room, Alison Richard Building, 7 West Road, Cambridge, CB3 9DT Time: 12.30 PM - 2.00 PM More info: http://www.crassh.cam.ac.uk

Venue: The Vine Community Centre,

Friedrich Sarre and how Islamic Art Came to Berlin

Venue:Room KLT, College Buildings, SOAS University of London, Thornhaugh Street, Russell Square, London WC1H 0XG Time: 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM Info: RosalindHaddon@gmail.com

-1800 AD. There was a keen interest in natural philosophy in Islamic lands in the early modern period and the discipline formed a regular part of the curricula of Ottoman, Safavid and Mughal madrasas.

Thousands of manuscript folios on natural philosophy from this period remain unedited and unstudied.

19 June Digital Workshop ­ Explore Islamic Patterns Use smartphones to explore beautiful and complex patterns on Islamic objects in Room 34. Then create your own design inspired by what you've discovered. To secure a place sign up on the day of the session at the Samsung Digital Discovery Centre.

Russell Street, London WC1B 3DG Time: 1.15 PM - 2.00 PM Fee: Free, drop in.

Venue: Samsung Centre, British Museum, Great Russell Street, London WC1B 3DG Time: 11.00 AM - 1.00 PM and 2.00 PM 4.00 PM Fee: Free, limited places.

The Splendours of ancient Iran

Through 25 June

Venue: Room 52, British Museum, Great

A gallery talk by Carolyn Perry, independent speaker. Gallery talks last 45 minutes. They are given by Museum staff or guest speakers and are suitable for all levels of knowledge.

Venue: Room 53, British Museum, Great Russell Street, London WC1B 3DG Time: 1.15 PM - 2.00 PM Fee: Free, drop in.

13 June Natural Philosophy in the Islamic World 1500 ­ 1800 A Centre for Research in the Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities Work in Progress seminar - the project by Khaled ElRouayheb (Leverhulme Visiting Fellow 2015-16) is to investigate the hitherto unexplored tradition of natural philosophy in the Islamic world in the period 1500

On Palestine ­ Photographs by Annie Pfingst 2007­2014 Opening with Ilan Pappe (University of Exeter) and Annie Pfingst. Supported by the European Centre for Palestine Studies, Institute of Arab and Islamic Studies as part of the AHRC project on Gender and Settler Colonialism: Women's Oral Histories in the Naqab.

Venue: The Walkway Gallery, Exeter Phoenix, Gandy Street, Exeter EX4 3LS Time: 5.00 PM - 7.00 PM

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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