One of the UK’s leading academics in Islamic Studies says the pursuit of multiculturalism is still the only way to beat terrorism.
Professor Abd al-Fattah El-Awaisi, Principal and Vice Chancellor of Al-Maktoum Institute, Dundee, made the claim at a Graduation ceremony held today. (1 December 2005)
In his address to the students, their families and other guests, Professor El-Awaisi said people living in the UK had been “shocked” to discover that the suicide bombers in London last July had all been born and bred in Britain.
He said those bombings were a clear signal the doctrine of fundamentalism wasn’t just concentrated in a few refugee camps situated in foreign countries.
And he went on: “After July 7, I still firmly believe that multiculturalism is the means to achieve peaceful co-existence and mutual respect between people, nations, religions and cultures.” Professor El-Awaisi said that from Dundee the Institute was pursuing a New Agenda for the study of Islam and Muslims. With their partners, the University of Aberdeen, they were developing teaching programmes based on current and progressive research looking at key issues in this field of study.
He said; “The New Agenda makes it clear the current crisis in the contemporary Muslim world is caused in part by the absence of co-operation between knowledge and power. Academic research in the study of Islam and Muslims is based on the principle of mutual respect in which people of any faith can share together a common intellectual goal.”
The 12 students who collected their Masters degrees were the first group to do so with their qualifications validated by the University of Aberdeen. They bring the total number of PhD and Masters graduates from the Institute to 40 in the past four years.
The Institute also conferred Honorary Fellowships on Rev Erik Cramb and Councillor Jill Shimi, Leader of Dundee City Council in recognition of their hard work and personal commitment to the multicultural vision at the heart of Al-Maktoum Institute.
Professor El-Awaisi said the Institute was teaching the next generation of scholars who would take the message of multiculturalism out into the wider world.
He announced that next month would see publication of a new book “Introducing Islamicjerusalem” which it was hoped would stimulate discussion about the core teachings of the Qur’an, challenging academics, religious leaders and politicians to think in a different way.
During next year the Institute will also host an International Academic Network Forum in Dubai and an International Network Student Forum in Dundee as well as two international conferences to debate multiculturalism and Islamicjerusalem. Professor El-Awaisi added: “There will be a lot of debate and discussion about this subject and my earnest hope is that from these discussions will come ideas for action and a greater understanding that Islamicjerusalem can be the way forward for conflict resolution. We don’t pretend to have all the answers but at least we’re putting forward some ideas on how to improve understanding between people of different religions and cultures.”
