Events Archive

Monday 6th and Tuesday 7th June 2022, University of Edinburgh

The Alwaleed Centre is proud to be the Management Hub of the British Association for Islamic Studies.

After two years without and in-person conference, we are very excited to be hosting the 2022 Annual Conference of BRAIS here at the University of Edinburgh.

Wednesday 11th May 2022, 4pm BST.

A special online conversation between Dr Ronan Lee (Loughborough University) and Dr Anita Schug (co-founder of Rohingya Medics Organisation) as they reflect on Dr Lee's recently-published book Myanmar's Rohingya Genocide: Identity, History and Hate Speech.

Chaired by Dr Siti Sarah Muwahidah, Alwaleed Early Career Teaching and Research Fellow on Contemporary Muslim Societies in Southeast Asia, University of Edinburgh.

Wednesday 13th April 2022, 2pm BST (online via Zoom)

Though at the core of authoritarian power, political repression appears under researched as a fully-fledged phenomenon in Egypt and more globally in the Middle East. It tends to be considered in the form of given facts constituting regimes’ general characteristics. In response, this special online seminar will examine the practices and technologies of repression mobilized within the contemporary Egyptian state, be they legal, physical, spatial or psychological.

Speakers:

• Prof. Khaled Fahmy (University of Cambridge)
• Dr Chaymaa Hassabo (Senior Research Associate, University of Johannesburg)
• Mr. Aly El Raggal (Independant researcher)

Chaired by Dr. Ewan Stein (University of Edinburgh)

Wednesday 19th January 2022, 4pm GMT, online via Zoom

Join us for a special transatlantic conversation between Dr Sarah Wolff (QMUL) and Professor Jose Casanova (Georgetown University) as they discuss Dr Wolff's new book 'Secular Power Europe and Islam: Identity and Foreign Policy' (Michigan University Press).

Tuesday 23rd November 2021, 5pm GMT.

Join us to discuss Islamophobia in more depth with a focus on the changes needed to advocate and tackle Islamophobia, by Muslims and non-Muslims. The forum will also discuss how the hijab has become a symbol of political and European Islamophobia, and the impacts it has had on Muslims in the UK. The audience will also be informed of guidelines to seek out help if they experience Islamophobia or if they witness someone who has. This will be an interactive forum where the audience can join the discussion.

Featuring Alwaleed Centre Outreach and Projects Coordinator, Nadin Akta, and IASH-Alwaled Postdoctoral Fellow Dr Ali Kassem.

Delivered in partnership with ISOC Edinburgh and MEND.

October - November 2021, online via Zoom

A special series of four webinars exploring climate change and climate action across the Muslim world to mark the COP26 UN Climate Change Conference 2021. Featuring academics, activists and community leaders.

Thursday 23 September 2021, 1pm BST.

Dr Chris Chaplin (LSE) discusses his new book with Professor Noorhaidi Hasan (Sunan Kalijaga State Islamic University in Yogyakarta, Indonesia) and Dr Siti Sarah Muwahidah (Alwaleed Centre, University of Edinburgh).

April - July 2021

Join thousands of stuydents from over 150 countries as we run our popular free online course 'The Sharia nad ISlamic Law: An Introduction' for the third time. 

On this ground-breaking course, you’ll work with renowned academics from the University of Edinburgh and other leading universities across the world to explore scholarly perspectives on the Sharia and Islamic law.

The five-week course explores some of the diverse roles that the Sharia and Islamic law have played in Muslim life, both historically and today.

March-July 2021

The Alwaleed Centre is the Management Hub of the British Association for Islamic Studies.

In this capacity, the Centre is delighted to be hosting the BRAIS 2021 Online Series which will see over 50 cutting edge academic papers delivered via 15 online panels between March and July 2021

Friday 25th June, 1:40pm BST

Part of the American Institute for Indonesian Studies & Michigan State University's conference "Indonesian Studies - Paradigms and New Frontiers".

Featuring Alwaleed Teaching and REsearch Fellow Siti Sarah Muwahidah.

Thursday 17th June, 1pm BST

The Journal of Mediterranean Politics, The Institute for Advanced Studies of Aix-Marseille University (IMéRA), and the Alwaleed Centre at the University of Edinburgh and the Mediterranean Politics and Society Research Network welcome you to two roundtables on the present and future of social and political research in the contemporary Mediterranean region. Contributors will analyse salient dilemmas and introduce emerging research themes to illuminate the complex dynamics that shape interactions all around the Mediterranean sea today.

Tuesday 8th and Wednesday 9th June 2021

A major online conference delivered in partnership with Moray House School of Education and Sport, Centre for Education for Racial Equality Scotland & RACE.Ed.

In this timely online conference we will explore how the Decolonising the Curriculum Movement (DCM) at British Universities could enable research and teaching staff to tackle and transcend certain challenges associated with the study of Islam and Muslims. In so doing, we invite participants to critically explore the politics of engaging in research and teaching on Islam/Muslims at British universities through an exercise of self-reflection on research and teaching practises. We also aim to reflect more broadly on the political implications/limitations of producing knowledge about Islam/Muslims in the current socio-political context that differentially in(ex)cludes Muslim voices.

Thursday 20th May 2021, 4pm-5:30pm BST

The Alwaleed Centre is delighted to be hosting one of its former Research Fellows, Dr David H. Warren, to discuss his new book "Rivals in the Gulf: Yusuf al-Qaradawi, Abdullah Bin Bayyah, and the Qatar-UAE Contest Over the Arab Spring and the Gulf Crisis".

David will be discussing his book with Dr Ewan Stein, Senior Lecturer in International Relations, University of Edinburgh.

Chaired by Dr Kholoud Al-Ajarma, Alwaleed Lecturer in the Globalised Muslim World, University of Edinburgh.

Tuesday 16th March 2021, 10am-12pm GMT

Featuring Alwaleed Lecturer in the Globalised Muslim WOrld, Dr Kholoud Al-Ajarma, this discussion brings together direct voices of Southern feminists trying to situate violence against women within the broader political economies of conflict, particularly by taking into account structural inequalities that cut across multiple economic, political, social and cultural fault lines. Problematising neoliberal economic interventions that underpin contemporary post-war reconstruction and peace-making, we point out critical challenges to sustainable peace and the need for a transformative gender agenda. We reiterate the need to factor in political economy in understanding issues of gendered violence, which also has implications for how gendered security is viewed and addressed.

Part of the UN Commission on the Status of Women Virtual Forum 2021.

Wednesday 3rd March 2021, 9:30am-12:30pm

Please join us for this special half-day workshop on Islam and Inter-religious relations in Southeast Asia, which will comprise an opening plenary lecture on the history of Islam in the region, by Professor Michael Feener of Kyoto University, followed by a panel event showcasing some of the interesting and creative Islamic thought in the region on the themes of The Study of Religion, Gender, and the Environment.

Friday 12th February, 7pm

Organised in partnership with AMINA Muslim Women's Resource Centre and marking Hijab Awareness Day, this Facebook Live panel discussion will explore the representation of Hijab and Muslim women in the 21st Century.

Featuring Amina Khan (University of Glasgow), Nurenisa Reichling (University of Graz) and Laura Mora (Keele University).

Monday 7th December, 5pm-7pm

In the final panel of our autumn online series, we explore the ways in which Muslim religious authority functions across cultures and geographies.

Four leading scholars from Europe and the USA will engage with the topic of transnational and global religious authority before the floor is opened for questions and comments from our audience.

Wednesday 18th November, 2pm-3.30pm

A seminar with Stéphane Lacroix, Researcher at Sciences Po, Paris.

In the common accounts of the history of political Islam in Egypt in the twentieth century, the role played by Salafism is usually mentioned only in passing - though I argue that it is the elephant in the room. Salafism's influence in Egypt grew steadily from the 1920s to the 2000s. 2011 thus saw the conclusion of two parallel yet partly unrelated processes: a process of political contestation leading to the revolutionary events of January-February 2011; and a process of growing religious hegemony for Salafism. The collision of these two processes accounts for much of what went wrong in the wake of the revolution. Illustrating this point, my talk will focus on the apparently bizarre political behaviour of Hizb al-Nur - a Salafi party which became Egypt's second largest political force late 2011, before doing all it could to undermine the Muslim Brotherhood and eventually allying with the military to overthrow president Morsi in July 2013.

This event is organised by the PIR Contemporary Middle East Series.

Thursday 12th November, 5pm-7pm

Over the last decade, there has been a growing visibility of female Islamic authorities in Europe and globally, accompanied by increasing scholarly research and public debate on this topic. However, discussions in the field are often framed around questions which are not always relevant to the interests of female authorities. Moreover, some research in the area reproduces categories and binaries that risk stereotyping or flattening the varied nature of the work performed by female religious authorities.

This round table brings together practitioners and researchers from across the globe to reflect on the following questions: what questions should we ask in our research on female religious leadership and why? What theories, concepts and frameworks do we engage with and what do they tell us about female authorities? How do we ensure that our research matters and is relevant to female religious authorities?

Wednesday 21st October, 4.15pm-6pm

Join us for session two of our online series 'Authority in the Globalised Muslim World' which provides a platform to discuss current research on a topic that has long been and remains a central matter of interest for the study of contemporary Muslim societies.

Thursday 8th October, 5pm-7pm

As part of a series of online lectures and seminars celebrating the tenth anniversary of the Alwaleed Centre for the Study of Islam in the Contemporary World at the University of Edinburgh, we are delighted to be hosting Professor Masooda Bano (University of Oxford) for a special lecture to launch the series.

Chaired by Professor Frederic Volpi (Director, Alwaleed Centre for the Study of Islam in the Contemporary World, University of Edinburgh) and followed by a Q&A.

Sunday 12th July, 1pm-2pm

Join Miqdaad Versi (MCB) in conversation with journalist Peter Oborne and Dr Khadijah Elshayyal (Visiting Fellow, Alwaleed Centre) to look back at the last year and what this has meant for Muslims.

Monday 6th July, 18:00-19:00, online via Zoom

The Alwaleed CEntre's Syrian Futures Project is delighted to be hosting Syrian Chef Ammar Albawab for a one-hour cooking tutorial featuring traditional Syrian recipes.

Ammar came to Edinburgh as a Syrian refugee a few years ago and has been training to become a chef in Scotland. He cooks delicious Middle Eastern food, mostly from Syria and the Lebanon. Watch for free via Zoom HERE

Saturday 4th July, 5pm-6pm, online

Preoccupation with the realm of speech acts and expression has been a hallmark of successive pieces of UK counter terrorism legislation introduced under the aegis of the War on Terror. This has long been a source of consternation for many, but especially so among Muslims, as the demographic most acutely impacted by securitisation.

In this special online seminar, Alwaleed Visiting Fellow, Dr Elshayyal  will explore the impact of the statutory promotion of ‘fundamental British values’ (FBV) through what has become known as the Prevent Duty.

Thursday 18th June, 3pm-4pm, Facebook Live

Join the Muslim-Christian Studies Network for a Facebook Live conversation with Prof Hugh Goddard (Honorary Professorial Fellow, the Alwaleed Centre) on the second edition of his important book: "A History of Christian-Muslim Relations" published with Edinburgh University Press in March 2020. Professor Goddard will discuss his celebrated book with Dr Joshua Ralston (Reader in Muslim-Christian Relations, School of Divinity, University of Edinburgh) and consider what has changed in the past 20 years, and how his work has impacted the field.

Monday 15th June, 2pm-3pm, online

Join us for a fascinating conversation between Professor Antonella Sorace (University of Edinburgh, Bilingualism Matters) and Nadin Akta (Alwaleed Centre) reflecting on the challenges and opportunities of bilingualism for refugee families in the UK.

Monday 6th - Tuesday 7th April 2020

Aga Khan Univeristy, Centre for hte Study of Muslim Civilisations, London

The Alwaleed Centre iis the Management Hub for the British Association for Islamic Studies (BRAIS), the UK's only learned society and professional organisation focused on enhancing research and teaching about Islam and Muslim cultures and societies in UK higher education.

This year's Annual Conference will welcome over 170 scholars from across the globe to the Aga Khan's stunning new building in central London.

Wednesday 29th January, 13:00-16:00

Room LG.06, David Hume Tower

Organised in partnership with the Centre for African Studies, the Christian-Muslim Studies Network and the Centre for the Study of World Christianity, this psecial half-day workshop includes papers from Professor Felicitas Becker (University of Ghent) and Dr Arngeir Langas (Danmission Copenhagen). The workshop is free to attend but registration is essential.

Friday 24th January, 18:00-20:30

University of Edinburgh Chaplaincy

You are warmly invited to join us for an evening celebrating Syrian culture through food, storytelling and dance. The local Syrian refugee community has organised this event and will prepare some traditional Syrian dishes to showcase regional Syrian cuisine. Following the food, they have prepared presentations to share stories and memories of Syria with guests. For many this will be the first time they have given a presentation in English and this is something they are very excited to do. Lastly, there will be an opportunity to participate in and learn the traditional Syrian dance of Dabka, to round off the evening. This is a fundraising event organised by Syrian young people who have chosen to donate all profits to the Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity. This will be a lovely evening to support the Syrian community and help them give back to an amazing local charity.

Friday 6th December, 18.00-19.30

Violet Laidlaw Room, Crystal Macmillan Building

Join us for a very special launch in Scotland of 'Postcolonial Banter', the new collection of poems by Suhaiymah Manzoor-Khan

Suhaiymah is a writer, spoken-word poet, speaker, and educator invested in unlearning the modalities of knowledge she has internalised, disrupting power relations, and interrogating narratives around race/ism, gender(ed oppression), Islamophobia, state violence, knowledge production and (de)coloniality. 

Friday 22nd-Saturday 23rd November 2019

Appleton Tower (Lecture Theatre 3), 11 Crichton Street, Edinburgh.

Historical inertia: Continuity in the face of change 500-1500 CE

Historical discourse has long concerned itself with patterns of change and discontinuity to demonstrate and validate models of periodisation and the compartmentalisation of the wider historical field. Building on these themes, this conference has chosen to focus on the opposing view by concentrating on inertia – how history, material culture, ideas and communities can be seen to maintain a stayed course or deviate if a significant force is exerted upon it. Inertia, a concept that has yet to be applied to mainstream Late Antique studies, introduces perspectives and frameworks that permit new approaches to traditional processes.

The Alwaleed is proud to be co-organising this conference for the second year running and we look forward to welcoming postgraduates from across the UK and beyond.

Saturday 9th November, 17:45-19:00

West Court Lecture Theatre and Sculpture Court, Edinburgh College of Art Main Building

The Alwaleed Centre is delighted to be supporting the closing keynote  at this year's American Council for Southern Asian Art Symposium, delivered by by Iftikar Dadi (Cornell University).

This event is free and open to all. Click HERE for further information.

Wednesday 30th October 2019, 14.00-17.15

As the protracted crisis in Syria moves towards its 9th year, the Alwaleed Centre at the University of Edinburgh is bringing together academics, practitioners and community members for a special workshop discussing the current and future challenges facing displaced Syrians in the UK, the EU and the Middle East.

With recent political narratives suggesting that we are ‘nearing the end of the Syrian conflict’ and that there are now ‘safe spaces for resettlement’ in Syria, this workshop will reflect on questions of movement, settlement and return from both the top down and bottom up perspectives.

Featuring research and personal testimony from Turkey, Lebanon and Jordan as well as Scotland, the wider UK and Europe, the workshop will be divided into two panels, with the former focusing on the latest policy developments in these regions and the latter on the impact of such policies on everyday Syrian lives.

Thursday 10th October 2019, 16.00-17.30

A co-badged book launch with the Centre of south Asian Studies.

This book brings together the leading contemporary currents of thought from a galaxy of established scholars and intellectuals of Pakistan. It is a monumental contribution to the national debate on a series of crises and lingering issues that need attention of the stakeholders all around. The book covers three major areas of investigation into public life of the country. One, it delves into the historical, sociological and cultural causes of various political conflicts, ranging from the negative role of the educational curricula for national harmony to cultural violence and persistent militarism to the curse of enforced disappearances. There are highly analytical contributions that define the conflict-resolution nexus. Two, the book is a source of inspiration on the liberal agenda of creating a scientific frame of mind, setting the feminist debate in a global context, challenging the shrinking space for media and focussing on the largely forgotten area of industrial relations. One finds ample issue-orientation in the analysis and policy-orientation in the deliberations. Three, we enter a domain of hope, planning for a bright future and focussing on some longer-term issues couched in comprehensive new approaches to development, environment, energy, foreign policy and feminism. The scope of the book is amazingly wide, the analysis is rich with conceptual references and empirical findings, and the scholarly idiom is comprehensible for both the articulate section of the population and the scholarly community per se.

Wednesday 26th September 2019, 18:00-20:00

Geroge Square, Edinburgh (exact venue to be confirmed in August 2019)

Join us for a rare opportunity to hear from one of the world's most respected political scientists working in the field of contemporary Islam, Professor Peter Mandaville (George Mason University).

Lecture Overview

Over the past four decades, Muslim intellectuals and scholars living in the West have sought numerous times to create paradigms of religious thought and theology that reflect the specific circumstances of Muslim life in settings such as Europe and North America while still maintaining a connection to classical and traditional Islamic learning. By and large such efforts have failed to gain traction. This lecture will explore the intellectual history of such work in the context of an inter-generational sociology of Muslim communities in the West. Structured around issues of gender, shifting attitudes towards established ideological and theological trends in Islam, and the changing nature of religious authority in the age of social media, the talk will also assess future prospects for intellectual and theological innovation by Muslims in the West.

The lecture will be followed by a halal drinks and canapes reception.

About the Speaker

Peter Mandaville is Professor of International Affairs in the Schar School of Policy and Government at George Mason University, USA. From 2015-2016 he served as Senior Adviser in the Secretary of State’s Office of Religion & Global Affairs at the U.S. Department of State where he led that office’s work on ISIS and sectarian conflict in the Middle East. He has also been a Nonresident Senior Fellow at the Brookings Institution and a Visiting Senior Fellow at the Pew Research Center.

From 2011-12 he served as a member of former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s Policy Planning Staff where he helped to shape the U.S. response to the Arab Uprisings. He is the author of the books Islam & Politics (2007) and Transnational Muslim Politics: Reimagining the Umma (2001) as well as many journal articles, book chapters, and op-ed/commentary pieces in outlets such as the International Herald Tribune, The Guardian, The Atlanticand Foreign Policy.

He has testified multiple times before the U.S. Congress on topics including political Islam and human rights in the Middle East. His research has been supported by the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, the Carnegie Corporation of New York, the National Endowment for the Humanities, and the Henry Luce Foundation.

Click HERE for further information and FREE tickets.

This public lecture is part of a major series of lectures by distinguished speakers from across the world who are all contributing to a major new book series entitled "Edinburgh Studies of the Globalized Muslim World" published by Edinburgh University Press in association with the Alwaleed Centre for the Study of Islam in the Contemporary World, University of Edinburgh.

Wednesday 26th September 2019, 18:00-20:00

Geroge Square, Edinburgh (exact venue to be confirmed in August 2019)

Join us for a rare opportunity to hear from one of the world's most respected political scientists working in the field of contemporary Islam, Professor Peter Mandaville (George Mason University).

Lecture Overview

Over the past four decades, Muslim intellectuals and scholars living in the West have sought numerous times to create paradigms of religious thought and theology that reflect the specific circumstances of Muslim life in settings such as Europe and North America while still maintaining a connection to classical and traditional Islamic learning. By and large such efforts have failed to gain traction. This lecture will explore the intellectual history of such work in the context of an inter-generational sociology of Muslim communities in the West. Structured around issues of gender, shifting attitudes towards established ideological and theological trends in Islam, and the changing nature of religious authority in the age of social media, the talk will also assess future prospects for intellectual and theological innovation by Muslims in the West.

The lecture will be followed by a halal drinks and canapes reception.

About the Speaker

Peter Mandaville is Professor of International Affairs in the Schar School of Policy and Government at George Mason University, USA. From 2015-2016 he served as Senior Adviser in the Secretary of State’s Office of Religion & Global Affairs at the U.S. Department of State where he led that office’s work on ISIS and sectarian conflict in the Middle East. He has also been a Nonresident Senior Fellow at the Brookings Institution and a Visiting Senior Fellow at the Pew Research Center.

From 2011-12 he served as a member of former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s Policy Planning Staff where he helped to shape the U.S. response to the Arab Uprisings. He is the author of the books Islam & Politics (2007) and Transnational Muslim Politics: Reimagining the Umma (2001) as well as many journal articles, book chapters, and op-ed/commentary pieces in outlets such as the International Herald Tribune, The Guardian, The Atlanticand Foreign Policy.

He has testified multiple times before the U.S. Congress on topics including political Islam and human rights in the Middle East. His research has been supported by the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, the Carnegie Corporation of New York, the National Endowment for the Humanities, and the Henry Luce Foundation.

Tuesday 20th August 2019, 17:30-19:00

St John's Church, Princes Street, EH2 4BJ

Scotland has welcomed more than 2,500 refugees from Syria since the devastating conflict began in 2011. The initial challenges of transitioning to a very different culture and environment can be incredibly hard for many new Scottish Syrians. But what about the longer-term challenges of building a new life in a very different country? How do young Syrians in Scotland navigate their way through the education system and onto further/higher education or employment? How do professional Syrians find fulfilling jobs and careers that suit their skill sets and expertise? In this conversation we will hear from Scottish Syrians who have made that transition, as well as organisations who support refugees through the process. We will also consider what we can all do to help our Syrian friends, neighbours and colleagues find long-term happiness in Scotland.                                                                         

Panelists: Nadin Akta (Syrian Futures Project, University of Edinburgh), Ammar Albawab (Chef, Pomegranate Takeaway), Marwa Daher (Media student, City of Glasgow College), Liz McArthur (Re-Act, Refugee Action Scotland), Estifa'a Zaid (Student Action for Refugees, University of Edinburgh).

Chair: Tom Lea (Alwaleed Centre, University of Edinburgh)      

Sunday 11th November, 14.00-17.00

19 George Square, Edinburgh, EH8 9LD

Breaking Barriers brings together Jews, Christians and Muslims in Edinburgh to learn more about each other's beliefs, practices and ideas through a process known as 'Scriptural Reasoning'. The process encourages open and honest discussion through the reading of short passages of scripture from the Jewish, Christian and Muslim traditions. You don’t have to be an expert on scripture to benefit from scriptural reasoning. The idea is simply to use scripture as a starting-point for inter-faith conversation.

Reflecting this year's Scottish Interfaith Week theme "Connecting Generations", this special scriptural reasoning session will explore the relationship between parents and children in Jewish, Christian and Muslim scripture.

The session will begin with short reflections from faith representatives before breaking into smaller groups for discussion. Refreshments will be provided.

A partnership between the Alwaleed Centre and the Edinburgh Inter-Faith Association.

Monday 8th October 2018, 17.15-19.00

19 George Square Edinburgh, EH8 9LD

A special seminar by Dr Alistair Hunter, British Academy Postdoctoral Fellow at the Alwaleed Centre.

This event is free and no booking is necessary.

Saturday 29th September 2018

Glasgow Women's Library, 23 Landressy Street, Glasgow G40 1BP

All are welcome to this lively afternoon of spoken word and performance by emerging Muslim women writers exploring the theme of relationships.

We’ll also be in conversation with acclaimed Muslim women writers including Safina Mazhar, Sara Shaarawi and Sufiya Ahmed. Afternoon tea will be provided.

In partnership with Sheffield University Storying Relationships Project and Stella Quines Theatre Company.

Friday 14th September 2018

Lecture Theatre 4, Appleton Tower, 11 Crichton Street, EH8 9LE

In this special public lecture, Dr Shuruq Naguib (Lancaster University) will offer a critical review of gender-focused scholarly engagement with key Islamic texts and consider contemporary studies which examine female authority in these textual sources.

Thursday 13th September 2018

Lecture Theatre 4, Appleton Tower, 11 Crichton Street, EH8 9LE

The Alwaleed Centre at the University of Edinburgh is delighted to be welcoming one of the world's most influencial scholars of Islam and gender, Dr amina wadud, to Edinburgh as part of a unique workshop entitled: 'Muslim Women’s Religious Leadership and Authority in Europe and North America'. (Click HERE for further information).

Join us for this special public lecture where Dr wadud will explore some of the key themes of the workshop, focusing particulary on the question of authority in Islam.

Thursday 13th - Friday 14th September 2018

Lecture Theatre 4, Appleton Tower, 11 Crichton Street, EH8 9LE

This interdisciplinary workshop aims to facilitate a dialogue and scholarly exchange on the topic of Islamic female scholarship and leadership. We will be welcoming scholars and practitioners from a range of fields and disciplines to explore these topics and shed light on female Islamic leadership in Europe and North America.

Sunday 26th August, 17:00 - 18:00

The Spiegeltent, Edinburgh International Book Festival, Charlotte Square, Edinburgh

Mulla Nasruddin is the wisest man and the biggest fool in his village. He is occasionally rich but often poor, sometimes a judge and sometimes a teacher. But wherever he goes, whatever he does, he will make you laugh. Join author Sean Taylor and performer Eleanor Martin as they bring to life Riding a Donkey Backwards, a collection of 21 tales and riddles about this hilarious trickster known and loved across Muslim cultures.

Tuesday 3rd July 2018, 16:00 - 19:00

Informatics Forum, 10 Crichton Street, Edinburgh EH8 9AB

The Alwaleed Centre at the University of Edinburgh invites you to a celebration Arabic food, art and culture as we welcome a delegation of 70 young students from Saudi Arabia who are visiting Edinburgh as part of a special intercultrual summer school programme.

Come and taste some delicious Arabic foods including a range of sweet pastries and some home cooked Kabsa (a rice and chicken dish famous in Saudi Arabia). Learn to speak a few words of Arabic and even have your name written in beautiful Arabic calligraphy. Alongside the food and art, there will be a traditional Saudi dance performance as well as the chance to try on some traditional Arab clothing.

We hope you can join us for what promises to be a truly memorable evening of food, culture and conversation. All ages are welcome!

This event is totally free of charge but registration is essential. Doors open at 4pm with the event coming to an end at 7pm.

Tuesday 19th June, 18:00 - 19:30

Peffermill Playing Fields, Peffermill Road, Edinburgh, EH16 5LL

Sunday 1st July 2018, 14:00 - 17:00

This summer, the Alwaleed Cenre at the University of Edinburgh is hosting a large group of students from Saudi Arabia for three weeks of intercultural activities and inititatives.

Many of the students are huge football fans, so we thought we would organise a special five-a-side football tournament to bring our Saudi students together with local footballers for an afternoon of friendly (but competitive) tournament football.

We are looking for up to ten local teams from across Edinburgh to enter this special Intercultural Cup tournament. Teams will be allocated a group, with round robin matches determining who progresses to the knochout stages. The first matches will kick off at 2pm with the final scheduled for around 4:30pm.

The tournament is completely free to enter and places will be assigned on a first come, first served basis. There will be prizes for the 1st, 2nd and 3rd placed teams and refreshments will be provided for all players.

Tuesday 19th June, 18:00 - 19:30

Room G.02, 19 George Square, Edinburgh

Death caused by sung poetry is not an unknown phenomenon in the hagiographies of South Asian Sufis. Although the last documented case dates to the beginning of the 20th century, reactions such as unchecked crying and violent bodily movements are still a common occurrence during the musical assemblies of contemporary Sufis. Such reactions are often triggered by the meaning of the song text. In this presentation, Dr Miko  explores the strategies the performers of qawwali Sufi music employ in order to trigger such reactions.

Mikko Viitamäki is Lecturer in South Asian Studies at the University of Helsinki. He received his PhD from the University of Helsinki in 2015 majoring in Arabic and Islamic studies. In his dissertation, he studied the relationship of a poetic text and musical performance in the context of Sufi religious practice in Delhi and Hyderabad.

Wednesday 16th May 2018, 18:00 - 19:30 (followed by a reception)

The Project Room, 50 George Square, Edinburgh

Join us for a special public lecture by Dr Rose Wellman, Assistant Professor of Anthropology at the University of Michigan-Dearborn and visiting scholar at the Alwaleed Centre, University of Edinburgh.

In Iran, ideas and practices of the family are integral to religious nation making. State elites and supporters (or members of the Basij, Iran’s paramilitary organization) tie the blood of kinship to the blood and sacrifice of Iran-Iraq War martyrs. They harness blood’s relational and sacred properties in museum displays and commemorations to delineate and sanctify an Islamic nation composed of pure, kindred citizens. But blood is not the only substance of kinship that figures in the making of the Islamic Republic. Food, as a substance that is central to Iranian family life, also infuses the grand rituals of state power, helping to create “what should be”—that is, kindred citizens who embody Islamic familial piety, purity, and closeness to God. This lecture draws from 15 months of research in Iran to examine how public and pious food rituals work alongside blood in Iranian state rituals to make the nation and its politics seem “natural,” inevitable, and God given. Dr Wellman will argue that a full spectrum of kinship’s substances, ineffable qualities, acts, and processes can shape and naturalize religious nation-making and query how and why the model of Islamic government advocated by Khomeini remains compelling to a significant portion of Iran’s citizens.

Tuesday 1st May 2018, 18:00 - 19:30 (followed by a reception)

The Project Room, 50 George Square, Edinburgh

Join us for the launch in Scotland of a major new monograph by Dr Khadijah Elshayyal (Alwaleed Centre, University of Edinburgh) entitled: "Muslim Identity Politics: Islam, Activism and Equality in Britain" published by I.B. Tauris.

This special event will begin with an introduction to the book by Dr Khadijah Elshayyal, followed by responses from Miqdaad Versi  (Assistant Secretary General of the Muslim Council of Britain) and Dr Timothy Peace (Lord Kelvin Adam Smith Fellow in the School of Politics, University of Glasgow).

The event will be followed by a non-alcoholic drinks and nibbles reception.

Monday 9th - Wednesday 11th April 2018

University of Exeter

The Alwaleed Centre is the adminstrative hub of the British Associaiton for Islamic Studies which, in 2018, will be hosting its fifth Annual Conference at the University of Exeter.

Thursday 5th March 2018, 18:00 - 19:30 (followd by a reception)

Project Room, 50 George Square, Edinburgh

Part of the Alwaleed Centre's Islamic Civilisation Lecture Series 2017/18.

Delivered by Lucy Deacon (University of Edinburgh) and delivered in the University of Edinburgh's School of Literatures Languages and Cultures at 50 George Square.

Followed by a non-alcoholic drinks and nibbles reception.

Wednesday 21st March 2018, 18:00 - 19:30 (followd by a reception)

Screening Room, 50 George Square, Edinburgh

Part of the Alwaleed Centre's Islamic Civilisation Lecture Series 2017/18.

Delivered by Professor Jaakko Hameen-Anttila (the University of Edinburgh) and delivered in the University of Edinburgh's School of Literatures Languages and Cultures at 50 George Square.

Followed by a non-alcoholic drinks and nibbles reception.

Thursday 1st March 2018, 18:30 - 20:00

Lecture Theatre G.03, 50 George Square

The University of Edinburgh is delighted to be welcoming one of the world's most distinguished analysts of political Islam, Professor Olivier Roy, to discuss his new book "Jihad and Death: The Global Appeal of Islamic State".

Thursday 15th February 2018, 18:00 - 19:30 (followd by a reception)

Hawthornden Lecture Theatre, National Gallery of Scotland

Part of the Alwaleed Centre's Islamic Civilisation Lecture Series 2017/18.

Delivered by Professor Robert Hillenbrand (Universities of Edinburgh and St Andrews) and delivered in the unique surroundings of the National Gallery of Scotland. Followed by a non-alcoholic drinks and nibbles reception.

Saturday 3rd February 2018, 13:30 - 15:00

Room G.02, 19 George Square, EH8 9LD

Join us for "Signs of hope? Developments in the conflict in Syria and the role of religious communities in peace-building and reconciliation" - an illustrated talk by The Revd. Andrew Ashdown exploring the current situation in Syria and the role that Christian and Muslim communities are playing as signs of hope in the midst of suffering.

Revd Andrew Ashdown is an Anglican priest currently undertaking Doctoral Research at the University of Winchester in the field of Christian-Muslim Relations in Syria. As well as being a regular visitor to Syria prior to the conflict, Andrew has visited the country 9 times in the last three years.  He has travelled widely in the country both independently and as a member of delegations, including visiting areas most affected by the conflict, and has met thousands of people from all communal backgrounds, including hundreds of internally displaced persons in different parts of the country.   He has met with many senior religious and political leaders, both government and internal opposition figures in the country, and in December 2016, he witnessed the final battle for East Aleppo, and was the first British person to enter the Old City of Aleppo, and areas of East Aleppo just hours after the last snipers had been removed.  In May 2017, he spent a whole month in Syria independently, and visiting communities in Damascus, Maaloula, Homs, Aleppo (East and West), Lattakia, Daraa, and the Lattakia hills bordering Idleb Province.  He has also met with Syrian refugees in Lebanon and Iraq. His research focusses on the religious dimensions of Syrian society and context.

Chaired by Professor Hugh Goddard with plenty of time for questions and discussion.

Sunday 28th January 2018, 14:00 - 17:00

University of Edinburgh Chaplaincy, 1 Bristo Place, Edinburgh, EH8 9AL

Scotland is home to more than 80,000 Muslims, drawing their heritage from a diverse range of cultures and traditions.Back by popular demand and as part of the 2017/18 Winter Festivals, the Alwaleed Centre at the University of Edinburgh is hosting a special Food Fair designed to reflect and celebrate the diverse Islamic culinary cultures that have made their home here in Scotland.

This free event will be an opportunity to explore and celebrate differences, appreciate similarities, and enjoy somedelicious home-cooked food! To compliment the food, there will also be live music and henna painting to enjoy.

Drawing inspiration from Burns Night, this event will be a chance to celebrate our diverse identities through sharingfood - a halal haggis will even be making an appearance!

Thursday 11th January 2018, 18:00 - 19:30 (followed by a reception)

Project Room, 50 George Square, Edinburgh

Part of the Alwaleed Centre's Islamic Civilisation Lecture Series 2017/18.

Join us for the second lecture of our 2017/18 Islamic Civilisation Series delivered by Lale Behzadi, Professor of Arabic at the Institute of Oriental Studies, University of Bamberg.

Premodern Arabic literature is a rich source of tales, legends, and anecdotes. In this special public lecture, Professor Behzadi will explore emotional patterns, conventions, representations, communities, and constellations with a special focus on “tales with a happy ending” from the 10th century.

Delivered in the University of Edinburgh's School of Literatures, Languages nad Cultures at 50 George Square and followed by a non-alcoholic drinks and nibbles reception.

Thursday 6th December 2017, 18:00 - 19:30

Royal College of Surgeons, Nicolson Street, Edinburgh, EH8 9DW

Part of the Alwaleed Centre's Islamic Civilisation Lecture Series 2017/18.

The medical tradition which developed in the lands of Islam from the seventh century AD onwards is rich and varied. Its history stretches over more than a millennium, and involves people of many languages (Arabic, Persian, Turkish, Syriac, Hebrew) and faiths (Muslims, Jews, Christians, Zoroastrians, and pagans).

In this special public lecture hosted in the beautiful surroundings of the Royal College of Surgeons’ Playfair Building, Professor Peter Pormann (Manchester University) will explore the emergence and development of Islamic medicine, medical theory and practice, patients and practitioners, popular medicine (including the medicine of the prophet) and the enduring legacy of this tradition today.

Illustrations, diagrams, and artefacts will feature as we journey back to a golden age of scientific discovery and advance. Throughout the lecture the many links between ‘East’ and ‘West’ will be highlighted which reveal that the scientific medical tradition that emerged in the medieval Islamic world is very much part and parcel of our own medical tradition, thus transcending country and creed.

Sunday 12th November 2017, 15:00 - 17:00

St Columba's by the Castle Episcopal Church, 14 Johnston Terrace, Edinburgh, EH1 2PW

Breaking Barriers brings together Jews, Christians and Muslims in Edinburgh to learn more about each other's beliefs, practices and ideas through a process known as 'Scriptural Reasoning'. The process encourages open and honest discussion through the reading of short passages of scripture from the Jewish, Christian and Muslim traditions. You don’t have to be an expert on scripture to benefit from scriptural reasoning. The idea is simply to use scripture as a starting-point for inter-faith conversation.

In this special meeting for Interfaith Week 2017, we will explore the way food is presented in our scripture and the role food plays in our lives and traditions.

This meeting will be hosted by St Columba’s by the Castle Episcopal Church and will begin with a welcome and introduction by the Reverend David Paton-Williams.

Refreshments will be provided and participants would be very welcome to bring some food along with them to share.

Tuesday 17th October 2017, 18:00 - 19:30

Lecture Room LG.09, David Hume Tower, George Square

Join us for the launch in Scotland of "Muslims in Scotland: Society, Politics and Identity" edited by Professor Peter Hopkins (Newcastle University) and published by Edinburgh University Press.

This event is delivered in partnership with BEMIS (Black and Minority Ethnic Infrastructure Scotland), Edinburgh University Press and the Edinburgh Alwaleed Centre and will be followed by a non-alcoholic reception plus a chance to buy your copy of the book. 

Sunday 22nd January 2017, 14:00 - 17:00

The University of Edinburgh Chaplaincy, Bristo Square, EH8 9AL.

For the second year running, the Alwaleed Centre at the University of Edinburgh is hosting a specialFood Fair designed to celebrate the diverse culinary cultures of the Islamic world which have found a home here in Scotland. This free event will be an opportunity to explore and celebrate differences, appreciate similarities, and enjoy some delicious home-cooked food! To compliment the food, there will be live music from Samba Sene and Diwan and henna painting to enjoy. 

Do you have a favourite dish which reflects your cultural heritage? We're looking for volunteers to cook dishes and bring them along to share. We have grants available to buy all the ingredients you need. If you would like to bring a dish, please get in touch on: thealwaleedcentre@ed.ac.uk.

Tuesday 24th January 2017, 18:00 - 20:00

The Robert Burns Room, Scottish Parliament.

The Equality and Human Rights Committee and the Alwaleed Centre for the Study of Islam in the Contemporary World at the University of Edinburgh invite to you to a special event showcasing new research on Muslim communities in Scotland.

“Muslims in Scotland: New Insights” will bring together three leading scholars to discuss their recent research and publications exploring the history, politics and demographics of Scotland’s increasingly diverse Muslim population.

The event will be chaired by Christina McKelvie MSP with contributions from:

Dr Khadijah Elshayyal (University of Edinburgh): “Scottish Muslims in Numbers: Understanding Scotland’s Muslim population through the 2011 Census”.

Dr Stefano Bonino (University of Birmingham):“Muslims in Scotland: the making of community in a post-9/11 world”.

Professor Nasar Meer (University of Strathclyde): “Scotland and plural identities”.

There will be plenty of time for questions and discussion, with the formal event followed by a non-alcoholic drinks reception with canapés.

Tuesday 29th November, 17.30-19.00

The Project Room, 50 George Square, EH8 9JU.

All are welcome to the launch of Dr Khadijah Elshayyal's much-anticipated report 'Scottish Muslims in Numbers: Understanding Scotland’s Muslims through the 2011 Census’.

This ground-breaking new research report offers a timely analysis of some of the unique demographic trends of Scotland’s increasingly diverse Muslim communities - trends which have important societal and policy implications for Scotland. We are also delighted to be welcoming Anas Sarwar MSP who will offer his reflections on the report. Attendees will receive a hard copy of the report and the event will be followed by a non-alcoholic drinks reception. Tickets are free but reservation is essential via Eventbrite. Click HERE to reserve your ticket.

Sunday 20th November, 14:00 - 17:00

Annandale Street Mosque, Edinburgh, EH7 4AZ.

Join us for the latest installment of our popular series of 'Breaking Barriers' Scriptural Reasoning sessions which bring together Jews, Christians and Muslims in Scoltand to learn more about each others' beliefs and practices through shared study of scripture. In this special Interfaith Week session we ask what our scriptures have to say about the truth-claims of other religious traditions.

This event is free but registration through Eventbrite is essential. Click HERE to register.

Tuesday 15th November, 17.30-19.00

The University of Edinburgh Chaplaincy, Bristo Square, EH8 9AL.

As part of the Edinburgh Interfaith Week, the Chaplaincy will be delighted to welcome Mr Aaqil Ahmed who will deliver this key note lecture. Mr Ahmed is currently the Head of Religion & Ethics and Commissioning Editor of Religion at British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) and this key note lecture will explore the responsibility that the media has when it comes to covering religious matters.  It will also consider the potential impact of the media on communities.  There will be a short question and answer session with a panel following the lecture. This lecture is FREE nd no reservation is necessary.

Friday 21st October, 18:00 - 20:00

The Screening Room, 50 George Square, Edinburgh.

The Alwaleed Centre, in partnership with the Just Festival, LUX Prize and the European Parliament Information Office in Edinburgh, present a special screening in Edinburgh of Mediterranea, Directed by Jonas Carpignano. This Lux Prize nominated film explores the perils and struggles of refugees from Burkino Fasso who desperately decide to make dangerous journeys for a better life, only to face hostility and violence in the countries in which they settle.

Wednesday 12th October, 13:00 - 14:00

Seminar Room 2, Chrystal Macmillan Building, George Square, Edinburgh

During the summer of 2016, the Alwaleed Centre welcomed David Warren as its new Postdoctoral Fellow in Islamic Studies. Join us for David's first public lecture in his new role at the centre.

Lecture abstract: The enthusiasm shown by leading members of the Muslim scholarly establishment (theʿulamāʾ) for the 3 July 2013 coup in Egypt and its bloody aftermath was a source of horror for many. One of the most prominent and visible scholars supporting the coup was the former Grand Mufti, ʿAli Jumʿa. Over the course of July and August 2013 Jumʿa was a common sight on Egyptian television, and also gave speeches to the Egyptian army. It was in these interviews that he appeared to use Islamic legal concepts to legitimate the coup and the killing of anti-coup demonstrators. Consequently, the prevailing academic explanation for Jumʿa and his colleagues’ support for the counter-revolution has been to highlight historical precedents in classical Islamic political thought when the scholarly establishment similarly endorsed usurpers seizing power by force. However, in this lecture I argue against this prevailing assumption, and instead contend that Jumʿa’s support for the coup is rooted in modern nationalism and modern bureaucratic logic, rather than classical Islamic political thought. This event is free and no reservation is necessary. Just come along on the day.

Monday 3rd October, 17:15 - 18:45

The Project Room, 50 George Square, Edinburgh

The second of Professor Jonathan Brown's Edinburgh lectures focusing on questions relating to Islamic Law. This paper forms part of the Department of Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies Research Seminar Series 2016/17. This event is not ticketed and seats will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.

Friday 30th September 2016, 18:15 - 19:45

Lecture Theatre G.03, 50 George Square, Edinburgh

Join us for the first public lecture in Scotland by renowned scholar and Director of the Alwaleed Centre for Muslim-Christian Understanding at Georgetown University, Dr Jonathan A. C. Brown.

Dr Brown is author of the acclaimed monographs Hadith: Muhammad's Legacy in the Medieval and Modern World (2009) and Misquoting Muhammad: The Challenge and Choices of Interpreting the Prophet's Legacy (2014). His 2011 publication Muhammad: A Very Short Introduction has provided audiences throughout the English-speaking world with a highly accessible and engaging introduction to the life and legacy of the Prophet Muhammad.

In this special public lecture, Dr Brown will turn his attention to the often-discussed but very often misunderstood subject of Islamc Law (Shari'a). How intolerant is the Shari'a? Join us to find out.

Monday 29th August 2016, 17:45 - 18:45

Garden Theatre, Edinburgh International Book Festival, Charlotte Square, Edinburgh

Having fled Iran to escape the Ayatollah and Islamic fundamentalism, novelist Kader Abdolah settled in the Netherlands. From that safe distance he began enquiring into the true meanings of the Qur'an, and is now an acclaimed author. In The Messenger: A Tale Retold, he portrays the Prophet Muhammad and his followers in distinctly human ways, thus underlining Abdolah's main desire: to build bridges between east and west.

Monday 22 August 2016, 15:00 - 16:00

The Stand in the Square, Edinburgh

In the name of safeguarding and security, British counter-terrorism legislation is becoming increasingly restrictive of expression that is deemed to support ‘non-violent extremism’. This restriction of expression seems counter-intuitive to some of our most cherished British liberal values. Researcher Khadijah Elshayyal asks: Can we justify the restriction of free speech and talk about promoting ‘British values’ at the same time? Is restrictive legislation the best approach to tackling the threat of radicalisation in our communities? And, come to that, when did ‘radical’ become such a dirty word? Khadijah Elshayyal is a Postdoctoral Fellow at the Alwaleed Centre, University of Edinburgh.

Part of the Caberet of Dangerous Ideas and organised by the Beltane Public Engagement Network. 

Thursday 30th June 2016, 18:30 - 21:30 (FREE)

Screening Room at 50 George Square

Join us for a free screening of the beautiful film "The Dream of Shahrazad". This unique music-led film looks at recent political events in Egypt, Turkey and Lebanon through the lens of the famous story collection known as 'One Thousand and One Nights'. The screening is free and no reservation is necessary. Organised in partnership with Africa in Motion Film Festival and the Edinburgh Just Festival.

Saturday 28th May 2016, 15:00 - 17:00

The Columcille Centre, Newbattle Terrace, Edinburgh

Born in 2012 through a partnership between the alwaleed Centre and the Church of Scotland, Breaking Barriers is an inter-faith initiative which aims to bring Christians, Jews and Muslims together in Edinburgh to discuss important topical issues in the light of scripture. This process is known as 'Scriptural Reasoning' and more information is available here: www.scripturalreasoning.org/ 

In this special meeting hosted by the Edinburgh Liberal Jewish Community, we will be discussing what the the Hebrew Scriptures, the New Testament and the Qur’an teach about "the haves and the have nots". We hope this will lead to some fruitful discussion about questions of equality and inequality in local, national and international contexts.

The session will begin with brief reflections from faith leaders, followed by facilitated group discussion focussed on short passages of scripture. Light refreshments will be provided.

This event is FREE but ticket. Click on the link below for more information and to book your tickets.

Friday 1st April and Saturday 2nd April 2016

National Museum of Scotland and Summerhall, Edinburgh

The Alwaleed Centre is delighted to be partnering with the Edinburgh International Science Festival to offer festival-goers the chance to learn more about the Islamic contribution to the development of the astrolabe before building an astrolabe themselves.

Tuesday 12th April 2016, 18:00 - 19:30

Senate House, University of London

The closing plenary of this year’s Annual Conference of the British Associaiton for Islamic Studies will delivered by Ziauddin Sardar, editor of Critical Muslim and celebrated author and commentator. This event is free and but registration is necessary. Click on the link below for more information and to reserve your free ticket.

Monday 11th and Tuesday 12th April 2016

Senate House, University of London

The Alwaleed Centre is the administrative hub for the British Association for Islamic Studies. The centre plays a key role in the organisation of BRAIS's Annual Conference which will be taking place on the 11th and 12th of April 2016.

Saturday 9th April 2016, 19:00 - 20:30

Annandale Street Mosque, Edinburgh

Alwaleed Centre Interim Director Thomas Pierret and Alwaleed Centre PhD candidate Aurangzeb Haneef will be joining a multi-faith panel to disucss some of the most pressing question in the Middle East today. This event is free and no reservation is necessary. For more information contact the alwaleed Centre: thealwaleedcentre@ed.ac.uk.

Saturday 27th February 2016, 14:00 - 18:00 - £20 (students £15)

50 George Square (Room G.06), Edinburgh, EH8 9JU

A unique half-day calligraphy workshop led by calligraphy superstar Ismail Hussayn.

Learn the principles of this celebrated art-form, as well as the Arabic alphabet, before moving on to write your own name in beautiful Arabic calligraphy.

Ismail Hussayn has made it his mission to inspire through the traditional art-form of Islamic Arabic calligraphy. He has toured the UK, performing his act live in some of Britain's biggest venues including the Emirates Stadium and Regents Park Mosque. He is the Co-Founder of 'House ofCalligraphy': www.houseofcalligraphy.co.uk.

Wednesday 24th February 2016, 17:30 - 19:00

19 George Square (Room G.02), Edinburgh, EH8 9LD

Muslim identities, and their interaction with nation-state governance, have become key topics in research and policy agendas across Europe. In this event marking the second edition of Citizenship, Identity and the Politics of Multiculturalism: The Rise of Muslim Consciousness, Dr Nasar Meer will argue that in order to understand the expression of Muslim identities in Britain, it is necessary to grasp the forms of ‘consciousness’ that inform and shape them. Tracing this consciousness through case studies of Muslim mobilizations in education and over discrimination legislation and media representation, as well as the local impact of global concerns, a more balanced and positive picture emerges. Nasar Meer is a Reader in Comparative Social Policy and Citizenship, and Royal Society of Edinburgh Research Fellow (2014–2019) at Strathclyde University. His publications include: Interculturalism andmulticulturalism: Debating the dividing lines (co-edited, EUP, 2016), Racialization and religion (edited, Routledge, 2014), Race and ethnicity (Sage, 2014) and European multiculturalism(s): Religious, cultural andethnic challenges (co-edited, EUP, 2012). For more information visit: www.nasarmeer.com.

Chaired by Dr Khadijah Elshayyal, Postdoctoral Research Fellow (Muslimsin Britain) at the Alwaleed Centre, University of Edinburgh, whose PhD examined the development of British Muslim identity politics from1960-2010.

This event is FREE and no reservation is necessary. Seats allocated on a first come, first served basis.

Sunday 24th January, 15:00 - 18:00

Nicolson Square Methodist Church, Edinburgh

Scotland is home to around 78,000 Muslims, many of whom draw their heritage from the diverse cultures and traditions of the Muslim world. From Turkey to Indonesia, Muslim communities reflect local customs and traditions just as cuisine reflects local ingredients and tastes.

As part of the Year of Food & Drink Scotland, the Alwaleed Centre at the University of Edinburgh is hosting a special food fair reflecting and celebrating the different cultures of the Muslim world which have found a home here in Scotland.

‘A Taste of Scottish Islam’ will be a chance to explore and celebrate differences, appreciate similarities and enjoy some delicious food. To complement the food, there will also be music from acclaimed group Duo Hyperborea who will play traditional music from across the Islamic world.

This event is FREE but registration is essential. Click below for more information and to reserve your ticket.

Tuesday 3 November 2015, 17:30 - 19:00 (followed by a reception)

19 George Square, Edinburgh, EH8 9LD

Join us for the launch in Scotland of Dr Amanullah De Sondy’sacclaimed monograph, The Crisis of Islamic Masculinities,published by Bloomsbury.Dr De Sondy will speak about his work and there will also betime for questions, comments and discussion.

This event is free and no booking is necessary. Seats are limited and will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information please contact the Centre by email: thealwaleedcentre@ed.ac.uk.  

Saturday 15 August 2015, 12.15pm - 1.15pm

Charlotte Square Edinburgh

Chinese-Muslim calligrapher Haji Noor Deen is one of the greatest living masters of Islamic calligraphy. Fusing Chinese and Arabic styles to produce breathtaking masterpieces, his work is collected across the world and can be seen at the National Museum of Scotland. Today, Noor Deen renders ayahs (verses) from one of the world’s most influential books, The Qur’an, into works of beautiful calligraphy. In Arabic with English translation. Part of the Edinburgh International Book Festival.

Saturday 15 August 2015, 12.15pm - 1.15pm

Charlotte Square Edinburgh

Chinese-Muslim calligrapher Haji Noor Deen is one of the greatest living masters of Islamic calligraphy. Fusing Chinese and Arabic styles to produce breathtaking masterpieces, his work is collected across the world and can be seen at the National Museum of Scotland. Today, Noor Deen renders ayahs (verses) from one of the world’s most influential books, The Qur’an, into works of beautiful calligraphy. In Arabic with English translation. Part of the Edinburgh International Book Festival.

Saturday 15 August 2015, 4.30pm -6.00pm

Edinburgh Central Mosque, Potterow

The first of two special talks by Alwaleed Centre PhD candidate Yahya Barry delivered as part of Edinburgh Central Mosque's Islam Festival. Free of charge and no reservation necessary.

Sunday 16 August 2015, 4.30pm - 6.00pm

Edinburgh Central Mosque, Potterow

The second of two special talks by Alwaleed Centre PhD candidate Yahya Barry delivered as part of Edinburgh Central Mosque's Islam Festival. Free of charge and no reservation necessary.

Sunday 16 August 2015, 6.30pm - 8.00pm

19 George Square, Edinburgh

Chinese-Muslim calligrapher Haji Noor Deen, one of the world's great masters of Islamic calligraphy, combines Chinese and Arabic calligraphic styles. Haji Noor Deen will render a famous ayah (verse) from the Qur'an's 'Surat al Nur' ('Chapter of Light') into beautiful Arabic calligraphy whilst reflecting on what the verse means to him as a Muslim.

Tuesday 18 August 2015, 2.15pm - 3.15pm

Edinburgh International Book Festival, Charlotte Square

Born in Pakistan and raised in Hackney, Ziauddin Sardar is one of the most respected experts on Islam and is utterly fascinated by Mecca. Sardar has retraced its history from a barren valley in the desert to becoming arguably the most significant city in the world today. But what does the future hold for a location which contains immense meaning both to the Middle East and the West? Sponsored by the Alwaleed Centre and part of the Edinburgh International Book Festival.

Wednesday 19 August 2015, 4.00pm - 6.00pm

Edinburgh Central Mosque

Edinburgh Central Mosque invites you to an evening with one of the greatest living calligraphy masters, Haji Noor Deen. Fusing Arabic and Chinese styles, Noor Deen’s work is collected across the world, and can even be viewed at the National Museum of Scotland. Come and hear Noor Deen discuss the principles of his art and watch as he renders Arabic script into inspiring works of calligraphy in front of your eyes. In Arabic with English translation. Part of the Edinburgh Islam Festival. Tickets available on the door.

Tuesday 2 June 2015, 7.30pm - 9.30pm

St Andrew’s & St George’s West Church, 13 George Street

In this new series of talks, three noted speakers will explore the issues of building stronger communities from interfaith, academic, economic and practical perspectives. Hugh Goddard is Director of the Prince Alwaleed bin Talal Centre for the Study of Islam in the Contemporary World and the author of several books, including Christians and Muslims: From Double Standards to Mutual Understanding. Part of the St Andrew’s & St George’s West Summer Lecture Series.

Tuesday 7 April 2015, 5.30pm - 7.00pm

National Museum of Scotland

While there is much in the world that can divide people, science is a common language that can unify them. This informative, invigorating and inspiring panel discussion will examine ways in which diplomatic science can build bridges between disparate communities, help resolve conflict and foster international collaboration and development. Featuring journalist Priya Shetty, who specialises in health and humanitarian issues in developing countries and Prof Yasser Khalil from SESAME, a synchrotron facility in Jordan that encourages a culture of peace through international cooperation in science. Chaired by Ewan Aitken of the Cyrenians.

Tuesday 17 March 2015, 8.30pm - 10.00pm

Danish Cultural Institute, 3 Doune Terrace, Edinburgh, EH3 6DY

A special evening talk by Professor Jorgen Nielsen (University of Copenhagen) who is recognised as one of the leading experts on Islam in Europe. This event is by invitation only. Please contact tom.lea@ed.ac.uk if you are interested in attending.

Tuesday 6 January 2015

Pleasance Theatre, 60 The Pleasance, Edinburgh

To celebrate Islam Awareness Week 2015, the Alwaleed Centre has teamed up with the University of Edinburgh's Film Society to organise a special screening of critically-acclaimed film Wajda. Directed by Haifaa al-Mansour, Wajda was the first feature film shot entirely in Saudi Arabia and tells the story of a young girl, Wajda, who enters a Qur'an reciting competition in order to win the money necessary to buy herself a bike. This screening is FREE and will be followed by a panel discussion and Q&A. Further details to follow.

Thursday 12 March 2015, 7.30pm - 9.00pm

Appleton Tower Lecture Theatre 5

Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies, CASAW and the Alwaleed Centre are pleased to announce that Egyptian writer, feminist and activist, Dr Nawal al-Saadawi, will be speaking on 'Patriarchy and the Rights of Women in the Arab World'. at the University of Edinburgh at 6:30pm on Thursday, 12 March in Appleton Tower, Lecture Theatre 5. This event is free but ticketed.

Thursday 5 March 2015, 6.30pm - 8.30pm

Project Room, 50 George Square, Edinburgh, EH8 9JU

Tina Gharavi is a BAFTA-nominated filmmaker and screenwriter of Iranian heritage whose films and documentaries have examined her own experiences travelling from her adopted hometown of Newcastle to Tehran in Mother/Country (2001), recording the history of Yemeni migration to the North-Eastern English town of South Shields in Last of the Dictionary Men (2008) and documenting the lasting impact of American boxer Muhammad Ali’s extraordinary visit to the Muslim communities in South Shields for her 2008 film, The King of South Shields. Her first full length fiction film I Am Nasrine (2012) traced the arrival of two Iranian asylum seekers to Newcastle and gained Gharavi her first BAFTA nomination for Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Director or Producer. Refreshments will be available after the talk. Part of the 'Representing Muslims in Scotland and the North-East' seminar series.

Sunday 22 February 2015

19 George Square, Edinburgh, EH8 9LD

Another chance for young Christians and Muslims to get together in a respectful and supportive environment to discuss scripture and belief. Organised in partnership with the Edinburgh Inter-Faith Association. Please contact Tom Lea if you are interested in finding out more: tom.lea@ed.ac.uk.

Tuesday 17 February 2015, 6.30pm - 8.30pm

Project Room, 50 George Square, Edinburgh, EH8 9JU

Glasgow-based Iyad Hayatleh is a Palestinian poet and translator who moved to Scotland from Syria in 2000. His first collection of poems, Beyond All Measure, was published in 2007 and since then he has collaborated with the Scottish poet Tessa Ranford on a two-way translation project for a book, Rug of a Thousand Colours, with poems inspired by the Five Pillars of Islam. Refreshments will be available after the talk. Part of the 'Representing Muslims in Scotland and the North-East' seminar series.

Saturday 7 February 2015, 4.00pm - 5.00pm

National Museum of Scotland Auditorium

This special panel discussion will provide an opportunity to hear about the sources of inspiration behind some of the beautiful pieces featured in the Iranian Festival Fashion Show. In addition, academics working on different aspects of Iranian culture will discuss the concept of fashion in contemporary Iranian society, including the influence of pre-Islamic and Islamic culture on dress making in Iran. There will also be plenty of time for questions from the audience. Panelists include: Dr Lloyd Llewellyn-Jones (School of History, Classics & Archaeology, University of Edinburgh, Dr Nacim Pak-Shiraz (Islamic & Middle Eastern Studies, University of Edinburgh), Dr Gillian Vogelsang-Eastwood (Director of the Textile Research Centre in Leiden) and Dr Friederike Voigt (Senior Curator from National Museums Scotland). Admission is FREE.

Tuesday 3 February 2015, 6.30pm - 8.30pm

Project Room, 50 George Square, Edinburgh, EH8 9JU

Born and raised in Sudan, Leila Aboulela is an award-winning writer who now lives in Aberdeen from where she has penned three renowned novels, The Translator (1999), Minaret (2005) and Lyrics Alley (2011), as well as a collection of short stories, Coloured Lights (2001), and a BBC Radio 4 commissioned play, The Insider (2013). Much of this output has examined the ways that religious faith, gender and class are ‘translated’ between cultures in trademark elegant and understated prose. Leila has said of her work: ‘I want to show the psychology, the state of mind and the emotions of a person who has faith. I am interested in going deep, not just looking at ‘Muslim’ as a cultural or political identity but something close to the centre, something that transcends but doesn’t deny gender, nationality, class and race.’ Refreshments will be available after the talk. Part of the 'Representing Muslims in Scotland and the North-East' seminar series.

Tuesday 20 January 2015, 8.15pm - 9.45pm

Project Room, 50 George Square, Edinburgh, EH8 9JU

Claire Chambers is a lecturer at the University of York and an expert in contemporary South Asian literature written in English and in literary representations of British Muslims. Her book British Muslim Fictions: Interviews with Contemporary Writers was published in 2011. This year Claire published, with Caroline Herbert, Imagining Muslims in South Asia and the Diaspora: Secularism, Religion, Representations. She is currently completing her second book, Representations of Muslims in Britain, a monograph tracing the development of artistic depictions of UK-based Muslims from the eighteenth century to the present day. This lecture is in conjunction with the English Literature Department, who are kindly providing wine after the talk. Part of the 'Representing Muslims in Scotland and the North-East' seminar series.

Friday 9 November 2012, 2.30pm - 6.00pm

Glasgow Central Mosque

A unique opportunity to hear about current research into the contemporary experiences of Scottish Muslims.Come and meet researchers working across Scotland, let them know what you think of their research and take a look at some of the best entries from this year's "Islam in Scotland" photography competition.Organised by the Alwaleed Centre in partnership with Glasgow Central Mosque. Part of the ESRC's Festival of Social Science 2012.