On Friday 19th October 2018, Al-Azhar Alumni UK, which is the UK Branch of the World Organisation for Al-Azhar Graduates, held its second intellectual seminar at the Islamic Centre Mosque in Nottingham, kindly hosted by Imam Issarar Hussain and Sufi Muhammad Ramzan of the Islamic Centre Mosque. The seminar was held on the topic ‘Islam between Reality and Challenges’, and the panel of speakers consisted of graduates of Al-Azhar University and members of Al-Azhar Alumni UK as well as other scholars and Imams.
During the seminar, the Vice-President of Al-Azhar Alumni UK, Bakhtyar Pirzada al-Azhari gave an introduction to Al-Azhar Al-Sharif and its importance historically and in today’s world. He introduced the seminar and the theme and purpose of the discussion, including an elaborate reflection on Al-Azhar and Imam Ahmad Rida Khan (ra). Hafiz Gul Muhammad al-Azhari gave a detailed presentation on the ground reality of today and challenges faced by Muslims focussing on internal and external challenges of Islamophobia, clash of civilisations, backwardness, and looking at ways forward. Hafiz Mahboob Hussain al-Azhari delivered a talk on understanding the legacy of Imam Ahmad Rida Khan (ra) whose centenary conferences are taking place these days marking one hundred years since his passing away. Maulana Zein Hud al-Azhari gave a meaningful presentation on defining extremism in light of the contemporary national understanding as well as in light of Islamic teachings. He examined the root causes that lead to extremism and focussed on understanding Islam’s moderation in order to eradicate extremism, highlighting the book ‘ISIS: State of Ignorance’ on this topic.
Imam Issarar Hussain introduced the literature provided during the seminar describing the books written by the President of Al-Azhar Alumni UK, Shaykh Muhammad Imdad Hussain Pirzada, namely:
1. ISIS: State of Ignorance
2. I am a British Muslim; My Rights and Responsibilities
3. Reflections: A Quest For Answer’s to Today’s Questions
4. Human Rights: In Light of the Qur’an and Sunnah
5. Muhammad: The Sublime Messenger (peace be upon him)
6. Qur’an: The Sublime Word (Commentary of Surahs 1-6)
The following booklets were additionally provided to the attendees:
1. ‘Reality of the Film ‘Innocence of Muslims’ and Challenges of the 21st Century’, by Shaykh Muhammad Imdad Hussain Pirzada
2. ‘Where is Daesh?’ Report by the Al-Azhar Observatory for Countering Extremism
3. ‘The Concept of Jihad in Islam’, by Shaykh al-Azhar Dr Ahmad al-Tayyeb
4. ‘Freedom and Citizenship; Diversity and Integration’, by Shaykh al-Azhar Dr Ahmad al-Tayyeb
Other guests in attendance included male and female members of the local community of Nottingham, as well as members of the Islamic Centre Mosque community, Ustadh Jamil Akram, Maulana Naveed Jamil and Mr Shabbir Ahmed (educationist, former head of Al-Karam Secondary School).
