ISLAM: DESIGNED FOR LIVING

Fronting a table for the Islam Information Centre this afternoon is my friend Zubair Sidat. I got to know Zubair in his capacity as a Director at De Montfort University Students' Union. He and I have worked together on a few projects over the past couple of years, such as Discover Islam Week at De Montfort University, DMU Students Community Fair and the Inter Faith Week 2011 exhibition in Highcross.

I admire Zubair’s relaxed, personable way of interacting with members of the public. He’s able to put people at their ease and impart a good amount of information without making it feel like he’s lecturing them. One woman spends some time chatting with him and flicking through the literature on display. Her sister has recently converted to Islam after marrying a Muslim and she wants to know more about their beliefs.

The table is set up outside Clark's Shoes in Humberstone Gate and yes, I deliberately caught that text in the top left corner of the picture. That’s my kind of coincidence and it fits in with the style and tone of this blog, wouldn't you agree faithful reader? Got to love those Union Flags too, one at each corner of the table. It's Diamond Jubilee Weekend after all and everyone is flying the flag, all over town.

On the table is a wide range of pamphlets on diverse topics. Many of these are new to me and I'm glad to add them to my growing collection of such material. Now I should make time to familiarise myself with the contents. They're all published by Islamic Dawah Centre International. The titles on display are:

• Answers to Non-Muslims' Common Questions about Islam
• Concept of God in Islam
• The Hijab: Reflections by Muslim Women
• Human Rights in Islam
• Islam at a Glance: Muslims' Belief in a Nutshell
• Jihad in Islam
• Life After Death
• The Mercy of Allah
• The Muslim Woman's Dress: According to the Qur'an and Sunnah
• The Position of Women in Islam
• Three Men, One Mission: Moses, Jesus, Muhammad (Peace be upon them)
• The Truth About Jesus: A Muslim Perspective
• What does Islam say about Adultery and Fornication
• Who was Jesus? (Peace be upon him)

I mentioned at the top of this piece that this display is being done for the Islam Information Centre. Here's some information about the Centre, taken from its Facebook page:

The centre is located at 45 Highfield Street in the heart of the multicultural city of Leicester. It’s within a short walking distance of the railway station, City Centre and both Universities.

When the property was acquired it was in a very poor structural state. Through the will of Allah, the help of generous private donations and efforts of the local Ulamma (Islamic Scholars) the property has been transformed into a purpose built Islam Information Centre.

The centre consists of a large ground floor area accommodating a reception area and a permanent Discover Islam exhibition area with a kitchen and ablution area to the rear.

The first and second floor consists of spacious seminar rooms and a resource centre.

The IIC is operated entirely on a voluntary basis and is funded through regular donations from Muslims both locally and nationally. It is principally operated by a group of local Ulamma (Islamic scholars) who are articulate and possess a wealth of knowledge between them about Islam and modern day issues affecting Muslims and non Muslims alike. The centre consists of a large ground floor area accommodating a reception area and a permanent Discover Islam exhibition area with a kitchen and ablution area to the rear.

The first and second floor consists of spacious seminar rooms and a resource centre.

The IIC is operated entirely on a voluntary basis and is funded through regular donations from Muslims both locally and nationally. It is principally operated by a group of local Ulamma (Islamic scholars) who are articulate and possess a wealth of knowledge between them about Islam and modern day issues affecting Muslims and non Muslims alike.

I hope to be able to visit the Islam Information centre before long. When I do, I'll write it up here of course.

KELVINGROVE: THE LION AND THE GAZELLE

The first blog entry from the treasure trove that is Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum is for an Islamic shield, 1750-1850, Indian or Iranian, metal inlaid with silver and brass. Here’s the copy on the card with the shield itself:

The animals on this shield are made of words. The four lions are symbols of courage and are protecting the gentle gazelles in the middle. A soldier carried the shield into battle as a symbol of his Islamic faith.

Alongside the shield is an interactive electronic book, which tells the story of the shield in eight pages or so. The following text is found on the last few pages of the interactive book:

To fully appreciate the cultural value of this Islamic shield, and after careful consideration, we have chosen to tell this shield’s story in a visual way by illustrating the lives of the characters represented on it, those of Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him and his cousin Imam Ali.

 To aid us with this task we have selected a number of historical miniature paintings that have appeared in Islamic manuscript  books such as “Jami’ al-Tawarikh” by Rashid Al-Din, Tabiriz AD 1306; “Siyar-i-Nabi”, Istanbul, AD 1595; the “Khavarnama” by Ibn Husam, Punjab, AD 1686; and “Maktel-i-Ali Resul” by Lami’l Celebi, Turkey, early 17^th century AD.

We are very aware of the tension that exists within Islamic cultures today with regards to figurative art in general, and the depiction of Prophet Muhammad and of his family in particular.

Some of this concern stems from theological arguments, but some stems from concern for misrepresentation and disrespectful depictions.

We would like to assure Muslims that in this interactive  we are following in the footsteps of respectable Medieval artists and their patrons who set precedence for the Islamic artistic tradition of illustrating the stories of the lives of Prophet Muhammad and his followers.

We have adhered to veiling the face of the Prophet and flames to emphasise his special position in his community.

The aim of this interactive is purely educational to introduce and explain the story of the gazelle and the lion in an accessible way to people who may not know of it.

None of the images that are meant to be a true likeness of any of the characters. They are merely illustrations to inspire and educate their audience.

DISCOVER ISLAM WEEK AT DE MONTFORT UNIVERSITY

Strolling down Bonners Lane through De Montfort University campus this afternoon (just on my way to a routine appointment at my GP in the West End), I spy a table loaded with boxes of Krispy Kreme donuts. Now, that's likely to get my interest for a start. As my innmer Homer Simpson slows down to pay a bit more attention, one of the students running the stall asks if I want to buy a box. When I ask him what they're selling them for, he tells me that they're in aid of "Discover Islam Week" - partly to cvover the costs of the week, partly to raise money for good causes. I'm not aware of this event at azll. I don't know if it's something confined to colleges and universities, or if it's related to Islam Awareness Week, that normally takes place in November. Nevertheless, I'm happy to stop and chat with the students. While I'm rummaging around in my bag for one of my new business cards, I'm greeted by Zubair Sidat, President of the University's Islamic Student Society (ISOC), whom I remember visiting our exhibition in Highcross during National Inter Faith Week last November. I'm chuffed to see that he has one of the social media flyers that we were giving out at that event, well-creased and a bit distressed, but he has it in his pocket. Zubair is in the centre of the group photo above.

I enjoy the chat but resist the Krispy Kremes. Well, they offer me a free one and who could say no to that? Mind you, it's the only time I've ever uttered the words, "I love Islam and I love doughnuts" in the same breath!

I ask Zubair's permission to take some photos and record ask if I can record a few video interviews with the students taking part. He's fine about it, but some of the others are a little apprehensive to start with. Can't blame them for that, although I soon win them over. As well as the two pavement stalls, one on either side of the road, they've set up a marquee outside the university library. I spend a quarter of an hour in there, where I also do a little filming, with their consent and participation.

There are some interesting talks scheduled for each evening of the week. Sadly, coincidence of short notice and Half Term mean I won't be able to get along to any of them.

I offer a loan of the Council of Faiths "Muslims" banner, if someone can phone me Wednesday morning and pick it up from Pilgrim House.

Watch the videos I recorded on the Council of Faiths YouTube channel.

I shared the link to the YouTube channel (and to this blog entry) on the DMU Discover Islam Facebook page.