Abrar A bi-monthly newsletter published by the Abrar Islamic Foundation

45 CrawfordEdior: Place, DrLondon Saeed W!H Shehabi 4LP A bi-monthly newsletter Tel:Published 020 7724 by the 3033 Abrar 45Fax: Crawford 020 7724 Place, 7219 LondonEmail: W1H 4LP Vol 13, No 17 (305) 1st—15th March 2017 [email protected] Tel: 020Website: 7724 3033 Necessary words at times of hardship Fax:www.abrar.org.uk 020 7724 7219 A religion whose mottos include mercy, passion everyone. Impunity does not exist in divine Email: and love cannot condone blood -letting of inno- legislation. No one is above the law. The rights, Abrarhouse cent people, allow mass murder or induce fear freedoms and rules of law are not relative. Jus- @hotmail.com in the hearts of people. Those who do so are tice, equality, personal freedoms are not rela- Website totally out of line with the spirit of God’s reli- tive. They are absolute rights that must be guar- gion. God-fearing people are keen to promote anteed and safeguarded. Matters of necessity, www.abraronline.net peace, hope, love and respect. Those who do urgency and specificity must not over rule the Charity no. 293802 otherwise are spreading corruption which is a fundamentals’ of God’s legislations. True reli- massive crime. There are several points to con- gion dictates that all are the same in the eyes of sider. The first is that man must act as God’s God and His laws. We stand for: representative on earth. God is the creator of When abnormal phenomena spread that are not people; He loves his creation and provides for in the spirit of God’s justice and laws it must  Inter-faith and inter- their subsistence in peace and tranquillity. Thus not take precedence. There is no holiness in any civilisational dialogue the first duty is to behave along the line of God. legislation that denies God-given rights of man- Second; God-fearing believer addresses the kind. While a Muslim is encouraged to under-  Respect for the human whole humanity with the same language of re- take volunteer work to help the community, race and rights spect and love regardless of their ethnicity, col- this must not be interpreted as possessing pow- our or cultural background. The whole mankind er over the others or overlooking their natural  Cooperation for the are God’s family,; they deserve care and protec- God-given rights. Recent developments in the good of people tion from pain, hunger and fear. These are nec- Western and Islamic world are indications of essary demands that God-fearing must fulfil if the dangers of deviating from God’s path and  Moderation they want to remain faithful to their proclaimed allowing personal tastes to take precedence faith. Third; All human beings are equal in the over God’s commands. Terrorism is one of  Modernity eye of God. They must be treated equally. most deviated phenomenon in which Whether Muslim, Christian or atheist, people considers killing one innocent life equivalent to  High standards of deserve to live in peace to enjoy God’s boun- liquidating the whole community. Western pol- spirituality ties. They have the right to live. This is God- icies of wars, expansionism and arrogance are given right. Faith is personal choice that God equally repugnant. For the human race to sur- had allowed mankind to decide. It is for Him vive in peace, harmony and love, people of alone to judge people’s destiny. religion from all faiths need to acknowledge the In this issue Today’s world needs a culture of real peace, need to promote the religious ideals, pure as love and freedom of choice. This how God God’s messengers had advocated. While it is Local Events 2 wanted His creations to live. Thus a man of true healthy to compete for adherence to this faith religion is that who treats every human being as or that, what is at stakes in these delicate times Muslim Affairs 3 equals, worthly of live and respect. Of course are the essential values of mercy, love and pas- people sin. But it uphold- sion. God’s spirit of love Masha Allah ing the rule of law is nec- for His creations must be ibn Athari 4 essary to maintain public present in mankind. Eve- order and protect people’s ryone must act as a repre- freedoms and rights. De- sentative of God on this The Islamic cisions relating to life and planet in order to save its Enlightenment 5 death of others are not in inhabitants. Catastrophes the hands of the “chosen” will not spare anyone. What Hijab means 6 few. God’s servants act They will claim everyone; out of passion and love to the guilty and the inno- Pious man and guide people to the right cent. This must be averted shopkeeper 8 path of worshipping with good acts of faith God. People have the shared by noble men and right to live as long as women who are faithful to they observe the sanctity their God. After all Reli- of life and rights of oth- gion is a message of mer- ers. Divine rules apply to cy, love and compassion. Page 2 Local Events

Imam Ali and Arabic language Turkey’s current concerns opposing him. This silencing of opposi- tion means that 90 percent of economy The role of Imam Ali A Seminar on Turkey was jointly organ- is in hand of regime and its supporters. ibn Abi Talib in the ised by The Open Discussion and The The future of power base of the country construction of the Gulf Cultural Club on Tuesday is at stake. There are challenges; There Arabic language was 14th February 2017. It was chaired by are problems with ISIS, night attacks, the topic of discussion targeting VIPs, media outcry With the Sahabir Razvi. Two speakers delivered at Abrar’s weekly talks on this important topic. Dr Turhan purge (more than 100000 sacked) there meeting on Thursday Ozen said that Turkey has done a lot in is a sense the future is dark. 23rd February. Dr past 15 years with Jaffar Al Tamimi de- regards to minorities Scientific research in livered a lengthy lec- and women. It wants ture on the subject, to improve economy A seminar to assess the scientific devel- highlighting Imam Ali’s contribution to and become member opment and research in Iraq as held on the language. The speaker introduced the of EU. When econo- Thursday 16th February at Abrar’s topic by defining the language arguing my and infrastructure weekly meeting. It was addressed by Dr that it is the voices with which people ex- improve all will ben- Abbas AlAboudi and press themselves. Other ways of expres- efit. Turkey is per- Dr Karam AlKhazraji. sion like the writing and the signs are not ceived as only coun- Dr AlAboudi said that the language. Language is a social need; it try that has ottoman scientific research had links people together. Prophet Mohammad heritage. Ottoman a bumpy ride in Iraq. advocated learning other people’s lan- spread over 3 continents including the Since the Ba’thists guages in order to understand them and Middle East and North Africa. The prob- came to power in 1968 avoid their mischief. Language also fulfils lems are in every country; Nation build- science lost its central psychological needs. The person needs to ing and narrow identity is apparent also position in Iraqi life. It express his feelings. The third is biologi- in Greece. Armenian suffering must be became a tool in the cal. Each limb of the human body has a viewed within the context at the time. hands of the regimes to kill opponents. function. The tongue also has one; that of You have to look at Bosnia and Crete. In 2003 we inherited rubble and empty speech. The forth is civilisational; it is the There is no Islam in Crete now because universities that had no scientific re- pot that contains the culture of the country. of genocide. There is no definitive proof search. Between 1991 and 2003 the li- After elaborating on several aspects of the of genocide on Armenian. Historical braries became empty of books of sci- language the speaker referred to the Arab events must not be used to corner people ence and the scientists lost interest as language. Abul Aswad Al-Du’ali was liv- into submission. No one of us is sin-free. they strived to survive. In the eighties ing in Basra, Iraq since the time of Omar We must not turn alleged events into the scientists and researchers were ibn AlKhattab. He said: I visited Ali ibn reality. What happened in the past must dumped in jails or grave yards. The few Abi Talib and I saw him in deep thought not be used to commit more crimes. The who remained either migrated or re- and contemplation. He asked him why he movement which is accused of the coup mained silent to avoid death. There is was in that state. Ali said: I am thinking of is not the only movement that is spread- now absence of scientific planning. Uni- laying down rules for the Arabic language ing its ideology. It is much smaller than versities are opened to satisfy desires not to protect it and guarded against people’s other ideologies. The Gulen movement needs. Research is in pure science not intervention. He knew that culture can did not allow other groups to flourish and applications. Research is conducted for only be safeguarded and preserved by lan- this created animosity among the public. its own sake. When the Mosul battle guage. During Mohammad’s life Ali wrote When the coup happened the public did started more than 350,000 migrated to the Holy Quran. Fatima, his wife and not support it. I like to see the Gulen middle and southern parts of the coun- Prophet’s daughter had her own record of movement accept to work with the state. try. We advised ministers: Look into the her father’s sayings. Others had banned the They chose to fight and when they did social results of this collective migra- writing except the Quran. Ali was thinking not succeed they went to the coup. When tion. The inner mind within the Iraqi of developing the language for the sake of you have 2000 people injured you cannot citizens hinders his innovation. We need future generations. It was not his duty to reason with this. You have to start anew. to seriously think of building a nation. do so but he acted out of concern and love There is space for religious communities Since 2003 we have had no state. We of religion, culture and knowledge. He was to enforce moral codes in society, but not need a state that is far from quotas and serious about learning religion and under- at cost of fighting with the state. infighting. We need civil state ruled by standing its contents and principles. He Professor Tahir Abbas law and constitution in which the human was serious about laying down the rules of asked: Where is Turkey being is its capital. We need to belong to linguistics. The non-Arabs who came to heading under Erdogan? Iraq and separate the position from per- Basra in the year 36AH could have ad- There have been con- sonal relations. versely influenced the language if it were cerns about the Lira. Dr Karam Al Khazraji not safeguarded. Ali was aware of the lin- The dollar was rising presented six points gual confusion as a result of the cultural rapidly. With all notions with regards to the interaction among the human and racial of secularism people scientific research in components of the new religion. He said to came together under the Iraq; 1- the language Abul Aswad: Speech is a noun, verb or ruling party. The mira- of communication. letter. Then he dictated the rules of linguis- cle that brought Islam, capitalism and English language must tics telling him: Memorise this, add to it democracy happened in Turkey. But then be widely taught. 2- and spread it. Ali also taught Quran to his it went wrong. Turkey is not in good Research for its own companions. The present day copy of the position now. There have been at least 30 sake. To be a professor Quran is attributed to him. He regulated its terrorist attacks. In the coup 300 were you need to have two or three research language in the best way. He directed Abul killed. The emotions are still raw. We papers. So research is done to fulfil the Aswad to use complete the project. Subse- saw four coups in 1960. 70. 80 and 97 requirement. 3- Libraries are poor, 4- quent linguists, like AlKhalil ibn Ahmad (soft coup) Electronic libraries are not readily avail- AlFarahidi was one of those early lin- Turkish Kurdish relations are sour. PKK able. 5- No link between scientific re- guists. I found that most of the Iraqi poem is making gains against Daesh. Erdogan search and industrial needs. 6- Limited was in Central and Southern Iraq. has taken strong stands against anyone working hours at universities . Muslim Affairs Page 3

Ayatullah Khamanei: Against Qantar’s wife, Zeinab Barjavi is in Teh- to show solidarity with Muslim women influencing people’s lifestyle ran as one of the guests of the Interna- have expressed that it has been a posi- tional Conference on the Palestinian tive experience, amid growing Islam- The Leader of the Intifada which was held in the Iranian ophobia and racist sentiment in North Islamic Revolution capital on Feb 21-22. “Martyr Qantar America and the rest of the world, Daily Ayatollah Seyyed who spent three decades of his life in Sabah News reported. Ali Khamenei said the Zionist regime’s prisons is consid- According to Canada's national public there are centers in ered a role model for patience, re- radio and television broadcaster CBC, Europe and the US sistance and self-sacrifice,” Amir- seven women from Fort McMurray, that are planning to Abdollahian said. He added that mar- Alberta, promised to cover their heads change lifestyle of tyrs of resistance movement defended and body and avoid drinking in line with people in non- Islam with courage and awareness. Islamic guidelines for a month, in an Western countries, Amir-Abdollahian described the Sixth initiative called the "Sisterhood of the particularly in the International Conference in Support of hijab." While some of them said, they Islamic . the Palestinian Intifada (Uprising) as an were motivated to wear the headscarf He made the remarks in a meeting with effective and strategic measure in sup- following an attack on a mosque in Que- a group of religious poets on Thursday port of the Palestinian nation and com- bec, which killed six Muslims praying evening on the occasion of martyrdom batants against the terrorist and child- inside, while others said they are against of Hazrate Fatima Zahra (SA), daugh- killing Zionist regime, he condemned the unjust generalization of peaceful ter of the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH). certain countries seeking normalization Muslims as violent terrorists. The Leader said fighting global blas- ties with the Zionist regime. Women reportedly said that wearing the phemy and hypocrisy in the Islamic Islamic headscarf has allowed them to Republic is quite easy and possible, but Surge in solidarity with US build friendships with Muslims living in under the sinister shadow of certain Muslims, rise in hate crimes Fort McMurray, while they noted that regional governments, the least disa- they had not been treated differently, vowal of the US will lead to these gov- Despite an uptick in hate crimes against although they've received 'a few awk- ernments' extreme reactions. US Muslims in the months since Don- ward stares from people.' Fighting the oppressors is not limited ald Trump won the presidential election Participants also said that wearing the to fighting with sword because in to- in November, a wave of public solidari- headscarf made them feel empowered as day's world, publicity campaign has the ty and improved views of both Muslims they felt less like objects. final say, he noted. and Islam signal some good news for A participant by the name of Tarra The Leader added that one can fight the community in the medium- and long Melanson even said that she felt she is against tyrants by employing poetry -term. more representative of feminism wear- and literary expression of ideas and Data and public opinion polls conduct- ing a headscarf than she was when she there have been good and encouraging ed by Shibley Telhami a non-resident didn't have it on her head. examples of this in recent years. senior fellow at Brookings and the Warning against attempts in Europe Anwar Sadat professor for peace and Thousands mourn Sh Omar and the US to change Islamic lifestyle, development at the University of Mary- Abdulrahman Ayatollah Khamenei said they have land show significant improvement in attacked Islamic lifestyle in order to how US Muslims and their religion are Thousands of mourners change people’s aspirations and chan- viewed in the Trump era, Arab News gathered in a small Egyp- nelling them into Western ideals. reported. The change and improved tian town on Wednesday It is not enough to defend ourselves attitudes constitute a backlash to the for the funeral of the and make walls around us but poets increasing Islamophobia that has ac- Muslim cleric known as have a duty to explain the Islamic life- companied Trump’s ascendancy to the "the blind sheikh" who style and its moral, political and cultur- White House. Telhami described what was convicted of conspir- al basis, the Leader added. is happening as a “parallel trend” to the acy in the 1993 World shootings, vandalism and other kinds of Trade Center bombing in Palestine should be kept alive hate crimes that have targeted the com- New York. Omar Abdel-Rahman, who as Islamic world’s major issue munity. The Southern Poverty Law was also convicted of planning a broad- Center has documented more than er "war of urban terrorism" in the United Secretary-General of International 1,000 hate crimes in the US since States, died on 18th February in a North Conference in Support of Palestinian Trump won the election on Nov. 9. Carolina prison aged 78. Intifada (Uprising) Hossein Amir- Movements across the Islamist spectrum Abdollahian said that the issue of Pal- In solidarity with Muslims, Ca- from the Muslim Brotherhood to al estine should be kept alive as the major nadian women wear headscarf Qaeda issued statements mourning him, issue of the Islamic world. and several leaders from Egypt's Islamic Supporting the Palestinian nation and Group, which views the sheikh as a spir- countering aggression of the Zionist itual leader and renounced violence in Israel will effectively contribute to the 1997, attended. security of the entire region, added Carrying signs that read "we will meet Amir-Abdollahian. He made the re- in heaven" and chanting "we will defend marks in a meeting with the visiting you with blood and soul, Islam," hun- wife of the Palestinian commander dreds of mourners gathered at Al- Martyr Qantar, a high-profile Leba- Gamaliya, his hometown in Egypt's Nile nese ... killed by Israeli airstrike on a A group of Canadian women, who Delta province of Dakahlia, to wait for residential building in Jaramana near promised to wear the Islamic headscarf Abdel-Rahman's body as it made its way the Syrian capital in 2015. for a month following World Hijab Day back from the U.S. via Cairo. Page 4 Great Personalities Masha Allah: Jewish astronomer within Islamic civilisation Masha'Allah ibn Atharī (c.740–815 CE) 27 chapters known as De scientia motus p., 1914). The notable 12th-century was an eighth-century Persian Jew- orbis and an expanded version of 40 scholar and astrologer Abraham ibn Ez- ish astrologer and astronomer from the chapters known as De elementis et ra translated two of Mashallah's astrolog- city of Basra (located in Iraq) who be- orbibus. The shorter version was trans- ical treatises into Hebrew: She'elot and came the leading astrologer of the late lated by Gherardo Cremonese (Gerard Ḳadrut (Steinschneider, "Hebr. Uebers." 8th century. According to Ibn al- of Cremona). Both were printed pp. 600–603). Eleven of Mashallah's Nadim in his Fihrist, Mashallah was "a in Nuremberg and in 1504 and 1549, astrological treatises were translated out man of distinction and during his period respectively. This work is commonly of Latin into English in 2008 and are the leading person for the science of referred to as De orbe for short. available in The Works of Sahl and judgments of the stars". He served as a Mashallah wrote the first treatise on Masha'allah by Benjamin N. Dykes. On court astrologer for the Abbasid cali- the astrolabe (p 10) in Arabic. It was Reception is also available in an English phate, and wrote a number of works later translated into Latin as De Astro- translation by Robert Hand[14] from the on in Arabic, some of which labii Compositione et Ultilitate and Latin edition by Joachim Heller of Nu- have only survived in Latin translations. included in Gregor Reisch's Margarita remberg in 1549. Science historian Donald Hill writes that phylosophica (ed. pr., Freiburg, 1503; Philosophy Mashallah was originally from Khorasan. Suter says the text is included in the Mashallah postulated a ten-orb universe The Arabic phrase ma sha`a al- Basel edition of 1583). Its contents pri- rather than the eight-orb model offered lah indicates acceptance of what God has marily deal with the construction and by Aristotle and the nine-orb model that ordained in terms of good or ill fortune usage of an astrolabe. was popular in his time. In all Ma- that may befall a believer. Ibn al-Nadim His On Conjunctions, Religions, and shallah's planetary model ascibres the said Mashallah's name was Mīshā, mean- People discusses the astrology of im- universe 26 orbs, which account for the ing Yithro (Jethro). Latin translators also portant world events and the role Jupi- relative positioning and motion of the called him Messahala (with many vari- ter-Saturn conjunctions have in their seven planets. Of the ten orbs, the first ants, such as Messahalla, Messala, timing. This treatise does not survive seven contain the planets and the eighth Macellama, Macelarma, Messahalah). intact and is preserved only in quota- contain the fixed stars. The ninth and The crater Messala on the is tions by the Christian astrologer Ibn tenth orbs were named by Mashallah the named after him. Hibinta. Other notable works are his "Orb of Signs" and the "Great Orb", re- Life and works Liber Messahallaede revoltione liber spectively. Both of these orbs are starless As a young man he participated in the annorum mundi, a work on revolutions, and move with the diurnal motion, but founding of for Caliph Al- and De rebus eclipsium et de conjunc- the tenth orb moves in the plane of the Mansur in 762 by working with a group tionibus planetarum in revolutionibus celestial equator while the ninth orb of astrologers led by Naubakht the Per- annorm mundi, a work on eclipses. His moves around poles that are inclined 24° sian to pick an electional horoscope for work on nativities, with the Arabic title with respect to the poles of the tenth orb. the founding of the city. He wrote over Kitab al - Mawalid, has been partially The ninth is also divided into twelve twenty works on predominantly astrolo- translated into English from a Latin parts which are named after the zodiacal gy, which became authoritative in later translation of the Arabic by James H. constellations that can be seen beneath centuries at first in the Middle East, and Holden.Other astronomical and astro- them in the eighth orb. The eight and then in the West when horoscopic astrol- logical writings are quoted by Suter and ninth orbs move around the same poles, ogy was transmitted back to Europe be- Steinschneider. An Irish astronomical but with different motion. The ninth orb ginning in the 12th century. His writings tract also exists based in part on a medi- moves with daily motion, so that the 12 include both what would be recognized eval Latin version. Edited with preface, signs are static with respect to the equi- as traditional horary astrology and an translation, and glossary, by Afaula noxes, the eighth Orb of the Fixed Stars earlier type of astrology which casts con- Power (Irish Texts Society, vol. 14, 194 moves 1° in 100 years, so that the 12 sultation charts to divine the client's in- zodiacal constellations are mobile with tention. It is also known that his work respect to the equinoxes.[3] The eight was heavily influenced by Hermes Tris- and ninth orbs moving around the same megistus and Dorotheus. Only one of his poles also guarantees that the 12 station- writings is still extant in its original Ara- ary signs and the 12 mobile zodiacal bic, but there are many medieval Latin, constellations overlap. By describing the Byzantine Greek and Hebrew transla- universe in such a manner, Mashallah tions. His treatise De mercibus (On Pric- was attempting to demonstrate the natu- es) is the oldest extant scientific work in ral reality of the 12 signs by stressing Arabic. that the stars are located with respect to One of his most popular works in the signs and that fundamental natural the Middle Ages was a cosmological phenomena, such as the beginning of the treatise which provides a comprehensive seasons, changes of weather, and the account of the whole cosmos passage of the months, take place in the along Aristotelian lines. In it, Mashallah sublunar domain when the sun enters the covers many topics that were important signs of the ninth orb . in early cosmology and strays away from Mashallah was an advocate of the idea traditional cosmology by postulating a that the conjunctions of Saturn and Jupi- ten-orb universe. Mashallah had intended ter dictate the timing of important events for his account to be aimed at laymen on Earth. These conjunctions, which and therefore included diagrams with text occur about every twenty years, take to facilitate comprehension of his main place in the same triplicity for about two ideas. The treatise was printed in two hundred years, and special significance manuscript versions: a short version of is attached to a shift to another triplicity. Open Forum Page 5

forms of transport and communication The Islamic Enlightenment made it easier for intelligent individuals, including women, to share ideas. This is A counter-argument to the “clash of civilisations” one example of the rich detail that his What happened when Islam encountered about Islam: the reaction to European research brings to the stories of these modernity two centuries ago influence as it unfolded over the 19th Muslim modernisers and the violent re- The Islamic Enlightenment: The Mod- century in the political and cultural cen- action they sometimes triggered. ern Struggle Between Faith and Rea- tres of the Muslim world following Na- In the book’s final two chapters, there is son. By Christopher de Bel- poleon’s invasion of Egypt in 1798. an abrupt change of pace as the author laigue. Bodley Head; 398 pages; £25. The author succeeds in his main purpose, speeds through Islam’s dealings with To be published in America by which is to show that in Cairo, Istanbul European colonial powers during the late Liveright in April; $35. and , prominent figures embraced 19th and, above all, in the early 20th FEW topics are as bitterly contested aspects of Western thought and technol- century. It is a fairly accomplished gal- today as the nature of Islam. America ogy with discernment and gusto while lop through difficult terrain and its pur- has just elected a president who speaks remaining good Muslims. His heroes are pose is to show, in very broad terms, pointedly of “Islamic terrorism”; his writers, doctors, generals and sultans. why relations between Muslims and predecessor balked at connecting Islam They include Abdulrahman al-Jabarti, an Westerners would eventually turn so with violence and said those who did, Egyptian sheikh who articulated the fas- sour. Western policies became greedier including terrorists, were misreading the cinated shock with which his compatri- and more cynical, especially during and faith. ots greeted the arrival of Napoleon, ac- after the first world war, and this trig- In Western intellectual debates, mean- companied by scientists and scholars. gered a sharp reaction in the Muslim while, some maintain that Islam stulti- Jabarti had grown up believing that his world, enraging humble, pious folk as fies its followers, either because of its own faith’s superiority should assure well as clever elites. core teachings or because in the 11th success in war. However, his honest, The author empathises with the resent- century Islamic theology turned its back lively mind had to acknowledge both the ment felt by Muslims over being used as on emphasising human reason. Others invaders’ more effective firepower and geopolitical pawns and over the arbitrary retort indignantly that the Islamic the intellectual heft which the French borders that were drawn by Europeans. world’s problems are the fault of its were bringing to the study of his home- That prompts him to write with a degree Western foes, from crusaders to Europe- land. of understanding about all the popular an colonists, who bruised the collective In Istanbul the sultan, Mahmud II, re- movements that successively shook Is- Muslim psyche. sponded to the rising strength of Western lam’s heartland, including Turkish na- A new book by Christopher de Bel- powers by imitating them. He curbed the tionalism, the Muslim Brotherhood in laigue, a British journalist and historian rapaciousness of his civil servants and Egypt and even the Iranian uprising of of the Middle East, hews to the latter clerical reactionaries. By removing reli- 1979. side, but with an unusual twist. He de- gious restraints on the study of the body, He acknowledges that these last two scribes how Islam’s initial encounter he ushered modern hygiene and medi- movements amounted to a form of with modernity, two centuries ago, had cine into a region ravaged by plague. “counter-enlightenment”, reinstating some benign consequences and he sees In Persia, meanwhile, Abbas Mirza, a theocracy, but he insists that even the that as a basis for hope. Sceptics will charismatic prince, drew on French and mullahs’ Iran has some modernising inevitably call the book’s title, “The British help to modernise an army run on features: they educated an unprecedented Islamic Enlightenment”, naive or oxy- medieval lines. Young Persians were number of girls. moronic. sent to train in Britain and proved quick Mr de Bellaigue is equally adamant that Still, having focused for a number of learners. One of them, Mirza Saleh, the positive legacy of the period closest years on Iran and modern Turkey (from wrote a remarkable account of his travels to his heart (the early and mid-19th cen- where he reported for The Economist), and became the country’s first journalist. tury) is still partially intact. For him, the Mr de Bellaigue is well-placed to tease Mr de Bellaigue shows that in the Islam- very fact that there was once an era in out at least one strand of the debate ic world, just as in the West, efficient which the Islamic world drew, selective- ly and intelligently, on Western ideas and technol- ogy while remaining true to itself, still gives hope. For one thing, it means that Muslims now migrating to the West retain, deep in their collective memories, an intimation that Islam can flourish in an enlight- ened form. His book thus offers a refreshingly opti- mistic counterpoint to the idea that Muslim and West- ern world-views are doomed to clash.

This article appeared in the Books and arts section of the print edition under the headline "The road once travelled" Page 6 Open Forum London ‘Modest Fashion Week’ launches for Muslim women London’s first-ever Modest Fashion of the fastest-growing consumer mar- success of MFW proves modesty Week (MFW) launched this weekend kets. is “more than just fashion, it’s a life- at the Saatchi Gallery in Chelsea, in Nottingham-based Amirab, one of the style.” what has been called a “revolutionary” brands showcasing at the event, pro- However, recent years have seen several turn for the fashion industry. duces “modest, modern and fashion- countries across Europe ban Muslim The two-day event offered a space for forward Muslim clothing.” women from wearing full-face brands catering for religious women It described ‘modest fashion’ veils. Austria and the Netherlands are the and those who want to dress modestly. as “making sure length of the clothes is latest to ban burkas in public spaces. Up to 40 brands gathered from coun- appropriate, not sheer, and no slits or Last year the mayors of a number of tries across the globe, including Tur- cuts which would make the clothes French Riviera towns decided to ban full key, Somalia and Malaysia, to show- unsuitable for modest wear.” -body bathing suits known as ‘burkinis.’ case their designs of hijabs, maxi Amirab founder Roda Abdi, who is Prime Minister Manuel Valls called the dresses and scarves. also behind the ‘UK’s first luxury hi- modest swimsuits “the affirmation of Hijabi blogger ‘Dina Tokio,’ who has jab,’ claimed the new fashion would political Islam in the public space.” more than 1 million followers on In- become “the norm” in the next four to The ban, however, was overturned by stagram, welcomed the “event. five years, while also praising depart- France’s top administrative court. She told Blogosphere magazine: “I ment stores such as Debenhams for While no such restriction exists in the feel like brands are coming on board making the designs available to cus- UK, a YouGov poll in August 2016 with diversity now and I think that it’s tomers. found 57 percent of the population sup- down to social media and how much Mariah Idrissi, a hijab-wearing Muslim port a ban on full-face veils. talent there is out there. “I want to model, told Middle East Eye that the Right-wing party UKIP has called for show that you can coincide burkas to be banned, with leader faith with fashion and that there Paul Nuttall recently saying are Muslim women who actual- they raised “security issues.” ly represent that,” Tokio said. “We have to ask the question ‘Modest fashion’ is becoming whether a woman living behind increasingly mainstream thanks the veil has any place in 21st to retailers like H&M and century Britain,” Nuttall said. Uniqlo, which started using Prime Minister Theresa May women wearing hijabs as part recently said however that she of their advertising campaigns. backs Muslims’ right to wear a MFW organizer Haute Elan, a veil “without fear,” as she be- UK-based ecommerce compa- lieves that “what a woman ny, said ‘modest fashion’ is one wears is a woman’s choice.” Founder of World Hijab Day shares what wearing the hijab really means The hijab is a head covering that women felt too afraid to go out wearing ‘The hijab also serves as a self-awareness many of us have seen Muslim women the hijab. ‘I took the hijab off for one that there’s a bigger purpose in life which wear. day right after 9/11,’ Nazma said. ‘But I need to work toward every day in order Those who don’t have knowledge of I felt an out of body experience without to make this world a better place. It’s a what it means may believe that wear- my hijab. I felt incomplete and dead fulfilling reminder.’ ing the covering is a symbol of op- inside. So, I decided to put the hijab Is the hijab oppressive, as some believe? pression. However, this couldn’t be back on the next day and never looked Far from it. ‘I see the hijab as a symbol more incorrect. back.’ of freedom because with it, I no longer The word hijab means ‘barrier’ or The act of wearing the hijab each day have to comply with the expected stand- ‘partition’ – however, in Islam, the means many things to Nazma. ‘The ards of the society showcased by maga- covering holds a wider meaning. hijab makes me feel empowered, by zines, TV, or celebrity lifestyles. Wearing the hijab is part of the princi- putting forth my faith and being identi- ‘Hijab gives me the freedom to set my ple of modesty and privacy, that in- fied as a Muslim woman.’ own standards to live up to without wor- cludes behaviour as well as dress, for It also provides guidance on how Naz- rying about what the world has to say, both men and women. ma wants to behave. ‘Every day, hijab which is to me is extremely liberating!’ Nazma Khan, the founder of World gently reminds me to be modest, kind, Those who are confused about what the Hijab Day, said that she started wear- and honest in my dealings with the hijab means can talk to the Muslim wom- ing the hijab when she was eleven. world. en who wear them. ‘Don’t be afraid to ‘No one actually told me to wear the ask Muslim women how they feel in their hijab. I made that conscious decision hijab. You’ll get to hear the truth from at an early age when I saw how beau- the direct source.’ tiful and elegant my mom, sister, and When asked if she’d get into trouble if grandmother looked in their hijabs.’ she stopped wearing the hijab, Nazma’s Many may believe that those who response was an emphatic ‘No!’ wear the hijab were made to wear it, ‘Islam honours me as a Muslim woman or that they don’t want the head cov- to have the right to choose and have free ering as a part of their lives. However, wills. ‘The Quran clearly states, “Let Nazma was never against wearing it. there be no compulsion in reli- After 9/11, increased levels of dis- gion.” (2:256). Forcefulness is indisputa- crimination meant that some Muslim bly against Islam.’ Off the shelf Page 7

the Muslim community to avoid the Sufis, Salafis and Islamists mistakes and be well equipped to shape The Contested Ground of British Islamic Activism the narrative of the future of Islam in the United Kingdom.

Sadek Hamid ain over the last thirty years. He devotes Sadek Hamid is currently a British a chapter each to four faces of activism: Academy Postdoctoral Research Fellow British Muslim activism has evolved reformist Islamist, radical pan-Islamist, and Lecturer in Islamic Studies at Liv- constantly in recent decades. What Salafi and neo-Sufi. Their transnational erpool Hope University. He has written have been its main groups and how do origins, history, evolution and mutual widely about British Muslims, young their leaders compete to attract follow- rivalries are mapped and assessed in a people and religious activism and is the ers? Which social and religious ideas measured, non-sensational and accessible editor of Young British Muslims: Be- from abroad are most influential? In manner. He also explores the extent to tween Rhetoric and Real Lives (2016) this groundbreaking study, Sadek Ha- which they are positioned to respond and co-editor of Youth Work and Islam: mid traces the evolution of Sufi, Salafi appropriately to the experiences and a Leap of Faith for Young People and Islamist activist groups in Britain, questions of a new, media savvy genera- (2011). including The Young Muslims UK, tion of British Muslims. Indispensable Publisher: I.B.Tauris Hizb ut-Tahrir, the Salafi JIMAS or- for policy makers, academics, students Hardback 202 pages £59 ganisation and Traditional Islam Net- and the general reader.' - Dr Phil Lewis. ISBN: 9781784532314 work. With reference to second- Author of Young, Muslim and Brit- Publication Date: 29 Mar 2016 generation British Muslims especially, ish,'Sadek Hamid's book is absolutely he explains how these groups gain and essential reading for anyone who wishes lose support, embrace and reject for- to further their knowledge of the dynam- eign ideologies, and succeed and fail ics of Islamic activism in Britain. It res- to provide youth with compelling cues Islamism from the rhetoric of terror- models of British Muslim identity. ism and highlights the essential differ- Analyzing historical and firsthand ences between 'islamicisation' and community research, Hamid gives a 'radicalisation.' --- Prof. Ron Geaves. compelling account of the complexity Author of Islam in Victorian Britain: The that underlies reductionist media nar- Life and Times of Abdullah Quilliam. ratives of Islamic activism in Britain. Reading this book was a nostalgic jour- Review ney of the last 35 years of my life. Hav- 'It is a pleasure to recommend this ing lived through the various organisa- book by one of the leading scholars of tions and events with first hand experi- Islam in Britain. Sadek Hamid has the ence I can testify unequivocally on the perfect combination of personal biog- accuracy of the account of the author. raphy and experience, allied to aca- The way in which the author simplifies demic rigour and attention to detail the complexity of the different Islamic that makes this a nuanced, timely, well organisations by systematically describ- -informed contribution to debate about ing their origin, evolution, division and Islam in Britain today.' - Prof. Sophie in some cases ultimate demise, makes a Gilliat-Ray. Author of Muslims in difficult subject much easier to digest. I Britain: An Introduction 'Sadek Hamid think it gives a very good retrospective has written an invaluable study illumi- analysis of the Islamic movement in this nating and evaluating the changing country and is an invaluable tool for aca- landscape of Islamic activism in Brit- demics and those currently involved in Islam and Modernity Edited by Nasar Meer Professor Nasar Meer is based in the The relationship between Islam and mo- School of Social and Political Sci- dernity has generated and rich but com- ences at the University of Edinburgh, plex literature. While competing ac- and is a Royal Society of Edinburgh counts sometimes appear incommen- Research Fellow (2014–2019). His surable, there is at least some conver- publications include: Interculturalism gence on the view that Islam and moder- and multiculturalism: Debating the nity reflect an unsettled encounter. For dividing lines (co-ed, some this is self-evident because the 2016); Citizenship, Identity and the relationship rests on contested founda- Politics of Multiculturalism: The rise tional questions, not least: whose moder- of Muslim consciousness (2015, 2nd nity and which Islam? For others it is a Edition); Racialization and reli- less a theoretical and more a historical gion (ed, 2014), Race and Ethnici- issue, in so far as there has been a pro- ty (2014) and European Multicultur- cess underway in which Islam has alism(s): Religious, Cultural and proved slow in ‘catching up’. This Ma- Ethnic Challenges (co-edited, 2012). jor Work gives space to an evolving In 2016 he was awarded the Royal conversation between Islam and four Society of Edinburgh’s Thomas Reid component parts of modernity. It has a Medal. www.nasarmeer.com comprehensive introduction, newly writ- Publisher: Routledge ten by the editor, which places the col- Hardback 1,632 pages £900.00 lected material in its historical and intel- ISBN: 9781138930827 lectual context. pub: 2017-02-24 Page 8 Words of Faith

105. They ask thee A Pious Man and a Shopkeeper concerning the There lived a pious man all by himself, who keeper, "but you will have to do something for Mountains: say, spent most of his time in praying, fasting and me before I answer your question." "My Lord will up- root them and singing songs in praise of God. Almost all "I will do anything for you," replied the pious scatter them as his waking hours were utilised in meditation man. dust; and devotions. He was very happy with his "All right! Take this saucer; there is some mer- 106. "He will leave spiritual progress. No wicked thoughts came cury in it. Go to the other end of the street and them as plains smooth and level; to his mind and no evil temptations entered come back fast within half an hour. If the mer- 107. "Nothing his heart. cury falls out of the saucer, you will hear noth- crooked or One night, he dreamt a rather disturbing ing from me. There you go now." curved wilt thou dream. He saw that a shopkeeper in the town The pious man took the saucer and started run- see in their place." was far superior to him in spirituality and ning. The mercury nearly wobbled out of the 108. On that Day will they follow that he must go to him to learn the ABCs of saucer. He saved it just in time, and slowed the Caller true spiritual life. down. Then he remembered he had to return (straight): no In the morning, the pious man went in search within half an hour, so he started walking at a crookedness (can of the man of the world. He found him busy fast pace. At long last he returned puffing and they show) him: panting. "Here is your mercury, safe and all sounds shall with his customers, selling goods and col- humble them- lecting money, laughing and joking. He sat sound," he told the shopkeeper. "Now tell me selves in the Pres- there in a corner of the shop and watched the the true interpretation of my dream." ence of ((Allah)) shopkeeper carefully. No signs of any spir- The shopkeeper looked at the pious man’s Most Gracious: itual life at all, he said to himself. His dream weary condition and asked him: "Well, friend, nothing shalt thou hear but the could not be true. But how many times did you tramp of their then he saw the shop- remember God while you feet (as they keeper disappear to say were going from this end march). his prayer. When he re- of the street to the other?" 109. On that Day turned, he was busy deal- "Remember God!" ex- shall no interces- sion avail except ing with money matters claimed the pious man. "I for those for again. did not remember Him at whom permission The shopkeeper noticed all. I was so worried has been granted the pious man sitting in about the mercury in the by ((Allah)) Most Gracious and the corner and asked: saucer." whose word is ac- "Would you like some- "But I do remember Him ceptable to Him. thing, Sir?" all the time," said the 110. He knows what "Oh! No! No!" said the shopkeeper. "When I am (appears to His pious man. "I don’t want doing my business, I am creatures as) be- fore or after or to buy anything, but I also carrying mercury in behind them: but want to ask you a ques- a saucer. I am fair, honest they shall not tion." He then related his and kind to my custom- compass it with dream. ers. I never forget my their knowledge. Lord in my dealings with (ta Ha) "Well, that is very simple to explain," said the shop- other men." www.abraronline. Decide Wage, Then Hire net This is our website. One day, Imam Reza (‘a) went with his friend would severely punish his men. He came clos- Suleman ibn e Jafar for some work out of er and asked,’ What is it that has made you so Have visited it: It town. They returned at sunset and the Imam depressed and angry?’ will put you face- invited Suleman to stop over for the night. He ‘Sulaiman, I have told these people time and to-face with an al- accepted. As soon as they entered the exterior again, to hire a person only after deciding the ternative world, full of the house, the Imam (‘a) saw all his serv- day’s wages. It is unwise to hire a person of spirituality, mo- ing men busy in the garden, planting, weed- without knowing what he would wish to earn ing, mowing and watering the flower- beds. at the end of the day’s work. If the wages are rality coupled with The Imam (‘a) noticed a stranger working decided, one can pay him a little more if he modern outlooks besides them. has worked well. That will please him and he and perspectives. He called one of his workers and asked, ‘Who will leave your place happy and grateful, and We want to hear is that person?’ always be willing to work for you in future. The man replied, ‘He is a person we hired for You will both be pleased with each other. your views on its the day to finish all Even if paid what was contents, layout the work quickly.’ decided at the begin- and general quality. ‘Good. What wages ning, he will be satis- did you hire him on?’ fied. However, if the Join us in our Noon ‘We thought of paying wages are not mutual- him his due after the ly agreed upon, no and Afternoon work was done.’ The matter what you give prayers Imam (‘a) suddenly him, he will not be Everyday looked very annoyed. grateful at all, in fact, at 12.00 Displeasure was writ- he is bound to feel he ten all over his face. deserved more than he Sulaiman felt he received.’