Ayatollah Abolghasem Alidoust (Qom Seminary, Iran)
A senior Iranian cleric and legal scholar and professor of Fiqh at the Research Institute for Islamic Culture and Thought. He is a recipient of the Iranian Book of the Year Award for his book entitled Fiqh and Maslaha.
Prof. Abdullahi Ahmed An-Na’im (Emory University, USA)
An internationally recognized scholar of Islam and human rights, Prof. An-Na’im teaches courses in international law, comparative law, human rights, and Islamic law. He is the author of Islam and the Secular State (Harvard University Press, 2008)
Milad al-Nabi
The Islamic College cordially invites you to join us for our annual Milad-al -Nabi celebration to mark the birth anniversary of Muhammad (s). This joyous occasion cherished by Muslims worldwide provides us with the opportunity to stop and reflect on the life and legacy of our blessed Prophet as a revered symbol of Islamic piety and devotion and bask in the light of his graceful personality. This noble fully realized human being, a teacher of mankind and a mercy to the whole world is an integral focal point of devotion, admiration, and love but also a source of solace, inspiration, and fountainhead of unity for the Muslims all over the world.
Every year the Islamic College selects a thematic focus for the celebration, be it one of the Prophet’s noble character traits, his unique place in the hearts of Muslims, the exemplary life he led, or the astonishing legacy he left us with. This year we have decided to focus on the concept of The Prophet of rationality and morality.
We hope that you will grant us the pleasure of your company and join us for an evening of joyous celebration, reflective scholarly sessions, Qur’anic recitations, Nasheeds, and student-led Quiz as we celebrate the life of Allah’s Beloved – Muhammad His Servant, His Prophet, and His Messenger.
The event will be held at The Islamic College, 133 High Road, Willesden, London, NW10 2SW on Tuesday 26th October 2021 at 6 pm
ICAS PRESS LATEST PUBLICATION – Essays on Shi’ism and Iran
Description
Author: Hamid Algar
Cover: Paperback
Google Review: No
Shi‘ism, Iran, and the Islamic Revolution are subjects fraught with political biases and ideological agendas; sometimes, even fiction is presented as fact. This lucid collection of writings demystifies these subjects. With some of these pieces written before the Revolution, they demonstrate the trajectory of Imam Khomeini from being an obscure scholar and mystic to appearing on the cover of Time magazine. They also show how the study of Shi‘ism in the academy evolved from being a niche subject to a discipline in its own right.
A pioneer in the study of Shi‘ism and contemporary Iran, Hamid Algar’s work is marked by precise attention to detail, a near-unparalleled grasp of languages, and a forthright honesty. Thus he offers scholarship, a key to understanding Shi‘ism, Iran, and the Revolution as relevant today as it was when the essays were first written. Rather than projecting Shi‘ism as a historical monolith, this book takes the reader on a journey through the developments in Shi‘ism in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, discussing the debates over religious authority and modern political technologies. Rooting the development of the Revolution in a broader historical context, it also offers biographies of key revolutionary figures and explores ideological challenges faced by the nascent Islamic Republic, such as matters of war and social justice. Throughout the book, mysticism and politics intertwine; not only does the characteristically Shi’i form of mysticism – ʿirfan – figure heavily in this work, but some sections are devoted to the relationship between the Shi’i Imams and the Sunni Sufi orders, as well as the place of Sufism in Shi‘ism. Lastly, Hamid Algar provides sound, thought-provoking analyses of contemporary scholarship in the study of Shi‘ism, including the works of Henry Corbin and Patricia Crone. This book contains something for anyone with an interest in history, Shi‘ism, Iran, or the Islamic Revolution.
Hamid Algar (1940-) is Professor Emeritus at the University of California, Berkeley, where he served on the faculty of Near Eastern Studies for 45 years. His degree from Cambridge in Oriental Languages (Arabic and Persian) led him on a fascinating journey through the Islamic heritage and lands, both physically and metaphorically, in an era where Islam was scarcely known in the West. A prolific author, he has written not only on Shi‘ism and Iran but also the Naqshbandi Sufi order; the contemporary history of Turkey, the Balkans, and Afghanistan; and Arabic, Persian, and Turkish literature. He has lent his pen and deep command of languages to numerous translations, including Islam and Revolution, an early collection of Imam Khomeini’s speeches. One of the few Westerners to meet Imam Khomeini, Algar was able to meet with Khomeini a number of times, first in Paris, then in Qum and Tehran, and became well acquainted with his mode of thought. Vignettes of his travels, acquaintances, and studies appear in the introduction to the book.
Author: Hamid Algar
Cover: Paperback
You can order your copy here
Book Launch: Essays on Shi‘ism and Iran by Hamid Algar
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81492642552?pwd=VmRQRnc5U0RoU1g1NS9kd1dxZ3JLdz09
Meeting ID: 814 9264 2552
Passcode: 337916
*** Discounts on the book available at the book launch! ***
Shi‘ism, Iran, and the Islamic Revolution are subjects fraught with political biases and ideological agendas; sometimes, even fiction is presented as fact. This lucid collection of writings demystifies these subjects. With some of these pieces written before the Revolution, they demonstrate the trajectory of Imam Khomeini from being an obscure scholar and mystic to appearing on the cover of Time magazine. They also show how the study of Shi‘ism in the academy evolved from being a niche subject to a discipline in its own right.
A pioneer in the study of Shi‘ism and contemporary Iran, Hamid Algar’s work is marked by precise attention to detail, a near-unparalleled grasp of languages, and a forthright honesty. Thus he offers scholarship, a key to understanding Shi‘ism, Iran, and the Revolution as relevant today as it was when the essays were first written. Rather than projecting Shi‘ism as a historical monolith, this book takes the reader on a journey through the developments in Shi‘ism in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, discussing the debates over religious authority and modern political technologies. Rooting the development of the Revolution in a broader historical context, it also offers biographies of key revolutionary figures and explores ideological challenges faced by the nascent Islamic Republic, such as matters of war and social justice. Throughout the book, mysticism and politics intertwine; not only does the characteristically Shi‘i form of mysticism– ‘irfan – figure heavily in this work, but some sections are devoted to the relationship between the Shi‘i Imams and the Sunni Sufi orders, as well as the place of Sufism in Shi‘ism. Lastly, Hamid Algar provides sound, thought-provoking analyses of contemporary scholarship in the study of Shi‘ism, including the works of Henry Corbin and Patricia Crone. This book contains something for anyone with an interest in history, Shi‘ism, Iran, or the Islamic Revolution.
* * *
Hamid Algar (1940-) is Professor Emeritus at the University of California, Berkeley, where he served on the faculty of Near Eastern Studies for 45 years. His degree from Cambridge in Oriental Languages (Arabic and Persian) led him on a fascinating journey through the Islamic heritage and lands, both physically and metaphorically, in an era where Islam was scarcely known in the West. A prolific author, he has written not only on Shi‘ism and Iran but also the Naqshbandi Sufi order; the contemporary history of Turkey, the Balkans, and Afghanistan; and Arabic, Persian, and Turkish literature. He has lent his pen and deep command of languages to numerous translations, including Islam and Revolution, an early collection of Imam Khomeini’s speeches. One of the few Westerners to meet Imam Khomeini, Algar was able to meet with Khomeini a number of times, first in Paris, then in Qum and Tehran, and became well acquainted with his mode of thought. Vignettes of his travels, acquaintances, and studies appear in the introduction to the book.
ICAS PRESS LATEST PUBLICATION – Arabic Morphology Made Simple
Arabic Morphology Made Simple is a comprehensive textbook on Arabic morphology aimed at intermediate and advanced students of Arabic grammar.
The work is a masterful translation of Sayyid Muhammad Rida Tabataba’i’s Sarf-i Sadih, a textbook popular with students and instructors in Iran for over four decades. In compiling this work, the author has relied on more than twenty traditional and contemporary textbooks on Arabic grammar. The book is often studied after Arabic Morphology: An Introduction, also by the author and published by ICAS Press.
Author: Sayyid Muhammad Rida Tabataba’i
Cover: Paperback
You can order your copy here or by emailing bookshop@islamic-college.ac.uk
1st Online Webinar: Vistas to the East
Persian Language Short Course
Starting Date: 18th January 2021
Arabic Language Course
Arabic Language Course
Starting From 21st January 2021
Tuesdays & Thursdays – 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm
Course Fee: £50/Semester
The Islamic College has organized an Arabic Course for those who want to learn the language of the Islamic revelation. Classical Arabic refers to both the language of the Qur’an and of the various works produced during the early Islamic period.
A Christmas Webinar: Dialogue & Religion
This event will take place at the Islamic College on Friday 18th December 2020 from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm
Studying with us during coronavirus in 2020 to 2021
Studying with us during coronavirus in 2020 to 2021
How you will learn when you start your College Study
We have put everything in place so you will get a great learning experience and lots of support when you start your course in autumn 2020 or spring 2021. We want to do this in a flexible way that works for you and follows government advice around keeping safe.
- We are planning to teach you through a mix of online virtual and face-to-face learning during autumn 2020 and spring 2021 but at present, everything is online.
- This means we can keep everyone safe while aiming to give you some opportunities to come onto campus and use some facilities such as the library.
- You would study on blended learning that starts with fully online virtual learning during the autumn term and small face-to-face classes during the spring term.
- If you cannot make it to campus for whatever reason, we will work to make sure you can start your course fully online.
The Islamic College has evaluated the circumstances in conjunction with Middlesex University in support of students. This would ensure that you have the best education possible, from our student support services going online to virtual social discussions. Based on our experience of delivering distance learning for our Masters programmes, we have been working to introduce online learning to undergraduate students. So we’re well prepared to teach you online this autumn. You will be taught through a blend of online lectures, workshops and problem-solving sessions. These will be supported by online module notes, pre-recorded video content, online classroom discussions and interactive activities.
Virtual Learning at the College
Desire2learn is the Islamic College’s online learning support area for candidates. This is a place where you can find online materials to support your studies together with discussion areas, module information and calendar dates. As a student of the college you would be entitled to access all modules which are supported online through our virtual learning environment. http://islamic-college.desire2learnclient.com/. The VLE is designed for the mobile world—and the platform can be accessed from any mobile device for a true anywhere, anytime, any device learning experience.
The VLE allows learners to learn on their terms, proceed through content at their own pace, and access learning from any device. Students get personalised feedback to keep motivated, on track, and engaged. It makes it easy for learners to connect, participate in forums and discussions, and view each other’s profiles. It gives portfolios to staff to reflect on learning, showcase growth, and celebrate achievements. It also identifies and tracks high-risk learners, proactively alerts the staff to step in and offer help. By engaging with e- learning you will also be developing skills which are essential for your learning and are also highly valued by employers. These include but are not limited to: working flexibly, communication, understanding of IT, team working and creating shared understandings based on quality resources and access to global expertise.
Each student will be assigned a personal tutor through the programme leaders who will meet with students regularly online or face-to-face depending on circumstances to provide them with guidance and support regarding their academic performance, personal growth and development. Students may seek advice from their personal tutor regarding issues and difficulties that may affect their studies during tutorial sessions. Apart from normal class and tutorial time, staff members may be contacted during officially announced office hours.
Student Risk Assessment
As we start our academic year welcoming students to The Islamic College, we realise that some of you may be concerned about having to come onto college and how best to protect yourself against COVID-19. Please be assured that the college is following Public Health England guidance within our approach.
Please note that if you, or someone you share a household with, receive a positive COVID-19 result or instruction to shield, you should inform The Islamic College immediately so that we can advise you on the steps you need to take in relation to your studies and wellbeing. If you need to declare a positive COVID-19 test, please email the registry, if you, or someone you live with, develop symptoms of COVID-19, please self-isolate for 14 days.
The symptoms are a high temperature, a new or continuous cough, or a loss or change to your sense of taste or smell. If studying your course means that you have to come onto campus and you have concerns about a personal characteristic or condition that may increase your vulnerability to COVID-19,
Students coming to the college are asked to complete a risk assessment form. Once you have completed the online form you will receive an automated email which assesses your level of risk based on the answers you provide. You may recomplete the risk assessment at any time, if your health or circumstances change. All information provided within this document will remain confidential and secure in line with GDPR. This information will be visible to staff from Student Support, who are available to support you in considering safe access to the college and the library, and to staff at a college.
Self-isolating
If you develop COVID-19 symptoms you should get tested.
The main symptoms are:
- Continuous cough
- Temperature or fever
- Loss/change in taste
- Loss/change in smell
If you test positive for COVID-19, please let us know as soon as possible by contacting the Head of Registry on 0208 451 9993 or email j.hussain@islamic-college.ac.uk. The quicker you tell us, the better we can support you by sending you information on next steps and how to look after yourself. You can find out more on what your test results mean via the NHS website, but please make sure you follow any individual advice given to you by the NHS. You may also be contacted by NHS Track and Trace to identify anyone you may have been in contact with recently so they can also be tested. If you’re experiencing mild symptoms, the NHS provide some steps you can take to treat these at home. However, if you’re unable to cope with the symptoms of COVID-19 at home, for example if you feel breathless and it’s getting worse, or your symptoms are getting worse, please use the NHS 111 online Coronavirus service. Try to stay away from people you live with.
Symptoms
If you have symptoms, you should stay away from other people you live with as much as possible.
If you can:
- stay on your own in one room as much as possible and keep the door closed
- avoid using shared spaces (such as the kitchen) at the same time as other people – eat your meals in your room
- use a separate bathroom – otherwise, use the bathroom after everyone else and clean it each time you use it, for example, by wiping the surfaces you’ve touched. Find out more on the NHS website.
Emergency help
Call 999 for an ambulance if you or someone you care for:
- Are struggling to breathe
- Are coughing up blood
- Have blue lips or a blue face
- Feel cold and sweaty, with pale or blotchy skin
- Have a rash that does not fade when you roll a glass over it
- Collapse or faint
- Become confused or very drowsy
- Have stopped peeing or are peeing much less than usual
Tell the operator you might have coronavirus symptoms.
