On Sunday 7 October 2018, Al-Azhar Alumni UK, which is the UK Branch of the World Organisation for Al-Azhar Graduates, began its series of intellectual seminars to be held across the country. The initial seminar was held at the Al-Karam Mosque in Forest Gate, London, hosted by Allama Ijaz Ahmed Nerwi and Imam Mansoor Mahmood. 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. Hafiz Gul Muhammad al-Azhari gave a detailed presentation on the ground reality of today and challenges faced by Muslims focussing on ideological challenges of Islamophobia, clash of civilisations, backwardness, and looking at ways forward. Imam Iftikhar Daad al-Azhari commented on how to address today’s challenges and how to move forward as a community in order to make progress with discipline and organisation. 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. Imam Mansoor Mahmood 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
At the end of the seminar, a session of questions and answers took place. The panellists, Hafiz Gul Muhammad al-Azhari and Maulana Zein Hud al-Azhari, answered the questions diligently and with wisdom reflecting the moderation and genuine understanding of Islam.
Local Imams and representatives from other mosques and centres of London attended the seminar. Al-Azhar Alumni UK offers thanks for participating in the seminar to Allama Riaz Ahmad Samdani, Imam Muhammad Umar Nawaz, Shaykh Sanaullah Sethi, Imam Ziauddin Azam al-Azhari, Hafiz Ahmad Siddique, Imam Khurram Rafique, Imam Siddique Hashmi, Ghulam Murtaza Minhaas, Ali Akhtar, Imam Muhammad Fazil, Ustadha Areeba Hasan, Ustadha Yasmin, Hafiz Tayyab, and Maulana Waqar Najeeb, amongst others. Gratitude is also forwarded to all who attended the seminar and engaged in the meaningful discussion.
