A global dialogue to redefine the relationship between the contemporary Muslim world and the West is to be led by the Al-Maktoum Institute for Arabic and Islamic Studies based in Dundee.
At the centre of the discussion will be the Dundee Declaration for the future development of Islam and Muslims and the passionate belief by the Deputy Ruler of Dubai that multiculturalism is the route to new and improved relationships.
This was revealed by Professor Abd al-Fattah El-Awaisi, Principal of the Al- Maktoum Institute, speaking to an audience of students, academics and invited guests today (Friday Nov 26).
Professor El-Awaisi said:”As we witness daily events from world trouble spots on our TV screens I believe, more than ever, that a dialogue has to be encouraged between Muslim and non-Muslim countries and between academics and others who inhabit those countries. There must be more serious civilisational dialogue.”
The Professor told his audience that an important work that was a strong influence on the Institute was the “Vision for Multiculturalism” published by Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, the Deputy Ruler of Dubai earlier this year.
He said the Shaikh was passionate in his desire to encourage dialogue across cultures and peoples that will enhance greater understanding and appreciation between the Arab and Muslim worlds and the West in general and between Dubai and Scotland in particular.
In a bid to encourage these developments a new awards scheme, in the Shaikh’s name, for organisations or individuals who had done most to promote multiculturalism in Scotland was launched earlier this year with the first recipients to be announced next year.
Professor El-Awaisi said:”Shaikh Hamdan has set an example for other world leaders to follow. Through his sponsorship of the Institute, his encouragement of the research work being carried out, his call for global dialogue on this issue and his backing of the new awards scheme, active steps are now being taken to realise his vision of a multicultural world where peoples from different backgrounds can live together in peace.”
To progress the desire for wider dialogue the Institute has funded a six-month research project, by two leading British academics, reviewing the methods and approaches used by the different departments and centres involved in the teaching of Islamic Studies throughout the UK.
The results of the research will be presented to the Institute shortly and will then be condensed into a single report to be circulated among the wider academic community early next year.
Professor El-Awaisi also highlighted the gathering of Muslim and non-Muslim scholars held in Dundee in March, under the auspices of the Islamic Universities League.
The League has over 100 members worldwide and the Institute is the only UK representative. From their discussions came the publication of the “Dundee Declaration,” a 13- point plan recommending the future development of the study of Islam and Muslims in the 21st century with the strategic objective of being established as post-orientalist, post-traditionalist and multicultural.
Professor El-Awaisi said:”The Institute will be working with all of our partner Universities across the world during the coming year to find practical ways in which the new agenda of the Dundee Declaration may be developed and implemented worldwide. A truly global dialogue.”
Among those to be circulated will be the world’s oldest University, Al-Azhar in Egypt, and the University of Malaya the most recent of 11 academic institutions to sign a memorandum of agreement with the Al-Maktoum Institute.
Also at today’s event, the Bishop of Brechin, the Right Rev Neville Chamberlain and Mr Ernie Ross MP for Dundee West were awarded Honorary Fellowships of the Institute. Both are due to retire shortly, both have served on the Institute’s Council and both are being recognised for their own individual contributions of serving their communities.
