On Tuesday, 6 May 2003, Al-Maktoum Institute for Arabic and Islamic Studies once again became part of an historic occasion in Scotland.
During the Kirking of the Parliament at St Giles Cathedral, Edinburgh, a student from the Institute recited the Holy Quran in front of HRH The Prince of Wales, MSPs, academics and political and community leaders from around Scotland.
This was the first time in history that the Holy Quran was read in a Kirking Ceremony. The recitation was done by Mr Khalid El-Awaisi, President of the Al-Maktoum Institute Student Society.
The Kirking Ceremony is an ancient ceremony that is associated with the old parliament in Scotland. The ceremony was revived following devolution and the establishment of the new Scottish Parliament.
Commenting on the historic occasion, Professor Malory Nye said: “Recitation of the Quran during the Kirking Ceremony is a significant step forward in recognizing the diversity of faiths and culture in Scotland. We are proud that the Institute is playing a role in this development and I am sure there are many more avenues by which the Institute is able to help in creating a truly multicultural Scotland.”
Professor Nye, who is the Director of the Institute’s Centre for the Study of Islam and Muslims in Scotland, added “A multicultural society is not created overnight. It may take many years before such a society is established. The various religious institutions have important roles to play and academic institutions like ours also have important contributions to make. The Centre for the Study of Islam and Muslims in Scotland is a particularly unique research centre that will certainly be able to contribute in enhancing understanding about Islam and Muslims.”
