Some thoughts on the news, religion and life in general
Archive for July, 2008
‘Ādāb: building mutual trust
Jul 31st
When I met this very senior figure in our community two years ago – I thought it was merely a conversation to get to know one another. No so. When I met him again a few months ago – he introduced me to an organisation called ‘The Adab Trust’ a name that I had apparently ‘inspired’. Me? More >
Remembering the Isra and Mi’raj
Jul 30th
While leading scholars of the past and present have explained that shariah has not prescribed specific celebrations or acts of worship for Al-Isra wal Mi’raj, nor to single this day out for worship – it is useful nevertheless to use this yearly event to reflect and indeed focus our attention on matters of concern for the worshippers of Allah.
Al-Isra wal Mi’raj should be used to remind the world of the oppressive and unjust conditions under which the people of Palestine struggle for their freedom and dignity - the land of Palestine is the land of Al-Isra wal Mi’raj More >
Feminising Jihad
Jul 29th
Jihad is one subject often regarded a barrier to progress, dialogue, peace and reconciliation. For too often, Jihad is interpreted as synonymous with warfare and terrorism. Is this an accurate reflection of the reality?
Should Muslims today drop the notion of Jihad and aspire for a peaceful Jihad? Could this be an acceptable alternative to violent Jihad? Are we witnessing the emergence of what I call a ‘feminised Jihad’ More >
How to create your own Islamophobia
Jul 29th
You may have caught the headlines over the weekend which include ‘Muslim students back killing in the name of Islam’, and ‘Muslim students back Islamic killings’, or even ’1/3 of UK Muslim students back jihad’. But the best has to be ‘To beat extremism we must dissolve religious groups’!
With such ‘shock & awe’ inspiring headlines, I thought I’d More >
Movement concepts and the importance of knowledge
Jul 28th
Our organisations are, whether we like it or not, concerned with the preservation of tradition. Tradition in our case is two fold: firstly—and this is the broader aspect—we are concerned with the preservation of Islam as a religion, with its beliefs, practices, ideas, and rituals.
Alongside this, Islamic Movement organisations emerged nearly a century ago with the intention of making More >
Citizenship and extremism among Muslim youth
Jul 28th
Government responses so far in combating terrorism and extremism is premised on a consistent denial that British foreign policy has any role whatsoever in radicalising Muslims, and in particular Muslim youth More >
