Displaying items by tag: real muslim

My generation grew up at a time when colonial hang up was at its peak. Our older generation had been slaves and had a huge inferiority complex of the British. The school I went to was similar to all elite schools in Pakistan. Despite gaining independent, they were, and still are, producing replicas of public schoolboys rather than Pakistanis.I read Shakespeare, which was fine, but no Allama Iqbal - the national poet of Pakistan. The class on Islamic studies was not taken seriously, and when I left school I was considered among the elite of the country because I could speak English and wore Western clothes........... Download the full article in pdf attachment (below)

Often, but loosely, referred to as a “religion”, Islam may more accurately be depicted as a religiously based way of life, or Din—the Arabic term by which it is described in the Qur’an. This Quranically sanctioned way of describing Islam has the two important merits of, firstly, avoiding the dangers of misunderstanding which can easily arise from using the term “religion” with all the socio-cultural nuances and associations derived from the historical (mainly Christian) heritage and experience of the West in the context of which the term was primarily honed. Secondly and more importantly, it captures the essential characteristic of Islam as a comprehensive system of values and principles which encompasses the entire range of human experience—personal and social, economic and political, artistic and intellectual, creative or otherwise. All of these are sustained in Islam, by faith and endowed with religious meaning and ethical significance.......... Download the full article in pdf attachment (below)

 

IAIS Malaysia & Institute of Diplomacy and Foreign Relations (IDFR) will convene a One-Day Forum highlighting Islamic teachings on Peace & Security from Islamic perspectives. Seven speakers offer presentations addressing theoretical and pragmatic issues on how Islam conceives of peaceful relations within society, and harmonious relations between nations.

 

Venue: IDFR, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Jalan Wisma Putra, 50460 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

 

Date: 4^rth October 2011 (Tuesday)

 

Time: 09:00am - 04:30pm

 

Read more from the event link here >> Peace & Security Forum,  Tuesday 4^th October 2011

 

Last weekend, as tens of thousands of unarmed refugees marched toward Israel from all sides in a symbolic effort to reclaim their right of return, the world suddenly discovered the power of Palestinian nonviolence. Much like the "Freedom Flotilla," when nine activists were killed during an act of nonviolent international disobedience almost a year ago, the deaths of unarmed protesters at the hands of Israeli soldiers drew the world's attention to Palestine and the refugee issue............ Download the full article in pdf attachment (below)

There are two groups promoting the concept that Islam is tolerant of terrorism. The first is those wishing to hijack Islam for their political purposes and who have distorted and misquoted religious text to justify their abhorrent actions. The second are those who wish to spread fear and hatred of Muslims to suit their political or economic agendas, and similarly distort and misquote religious text to claim that Islam condones such abhorrent actions. However, mainstream traditional Muslims are and always have been very vocal in condemning both such extremist groups.......... Download the full article in pdf attachment (below)

 

by Katherine Marshall, Executive Director, The World Faiths Development Dialogue (WFDD), Berkley Center for Religion, Peace & World Affairs (Georgetown University – Washington D.C.)

 

Read more from the event link here >> IAIS Seminar,  Monday 9^th August 2010

 

The energy required for transforming Muslim thinking and action must arise from within Islam itself. Jihad is one of Islam’s most potent concepts having a complex history and tradition. The challenging task of re-conceptualizing Jihad is a matter of great urgency. Islamic Peaceful-Action is offered in humility and with an awareness of its possible perceived inadequacy among many Muslims. This is a sketch demanding more refined comprehensive treatment, and testing in different Muslim societies. Yet there is utility in this example of re-conceptualization if it helps to provoke other attempts at re-appropriating critical concepts. And God knows best......... Download the full article in pdf attachment (below)

 

In Islamic experience Jihad joined two primary meanings:  Peaceful Striving inviting to revealed truth as an individual inner spiritual discipline through self-sacrifice and suffering; and Combative Struggle as the external social and political manifestation of this primary interior attitude. This basic distinction between individual and communal levels of activity provides the ideal goal for Muslim religious striving in all its forms. This essay offers a concise overview of Jihad and its continuing existential significance for the Muslim community today.......... Download the full article in pdf attachment (below)

 

What was the original context and significance of ‘peace’ in Islam? The concept of salm ‘peace-security’ in early Muslim experience is re-examined from linguistic and historical aspects, and aligned with the contemporary understanding of Human Security......... Download the full article in pdf attachment (below)

 

The centrality of peace in Islam is manifested by its nomenclature: Islām signifies peace, and then also in the daily greeting of Muslims: “as-salām alaykum / peace be upon you.” As-Salām is also one of God’s Most Excellent Names (al-asmā’ al-ḥusnā); while God praises those who act with humility and peace: “the servants of The All-Merciful are those who walk the earth with humility, and when the ignorant address them, they reply: peace!” (al-Furqān 25:63). On the other hand, instigators of violence and war are condemned: “Whenever they kindle the fire of war, God extinguishes it. They strive to create disorder on earth and God loves not those who create disorder” (al-Mā’idah 5:64)........ Download the full article in pdf attachment (below)