Speakers
* Fatima Al-Halwachi (Engineer, Quran enthusiast)
** Revd Stephen Hearn (St Marylebone Church)
*** Dr Ali Abdul Rahim (Academic SOAS)
**** Father Frank Gelli (Anglican priest)
In Islam, fasting is a fundamental form of worship. It is linked to observing the moon of the month of Ramadan. It compliments other forms of worship that aim at perfecting the lives of mankind. With growing consumerism gripping and shaping modern lifestyle, this single form of worship helps to cement a complete spiritual programme closely linked to the lives of mankind. Fasting is obligatory in Islam but is also enshrined in other faiths. For example, Lent is the solemn Christian religious observance in the liturgical year commemorating the 40 days Jesus Christ spent fasting in the desert and enduring temptation by Satan. Fasting in Judaism is defined as total cessation from all food and drink. A full-day fast begins with sunset in the evening and continues through darkness of the next day. Fasting in Judaism is defined as total cessation from all food and drink.
6.15 pm, Tuesday, 28th March 2023
Venue: Abrar House, 45 Crawford Place, W1H 4LP
The meeting will be held in person and will be followed by iftar (breaking the fast and dinner)
You can also participate on Zoom using this link
Meeting ID: 856 8088 8416
Password: 000000
Or on Youtube at this link:
*Fatima Al-Halwachi is a professional network engineer with more than 8 years of experience in the field. She has a degree in Computer Science and currently works at Cisco. She is passionate about sharing knowledge from the Quran and truly implementing its teachings in our daily lives.
**Revd Stephen Hearn arrived in Marylebone in 2022 after ten years working at Oxford University: as Chaplain and Fellow of Exeter College, then as a senior manager in the University administration, and most recently as Chaplain of Mansfield College. He also served as Associate Priest of St Mary Magdalen Oxford. During this time, he undertook graduate work in the field of Literature and Theology, wrote a thesis on Ralph Waldo Emerson, and studied psychoanalytic theory and practice with the British Psychotherapy Foundation. Stephen grew up in London and Hampshire and read English at Oxford, specialising in medieval languages and literature. A keen musician, he was an alto choral scholar at Magdalen College and conducted The Oxford Chamber Choir. After graduation, he was Warden of the Lincoln diocesan retreat centre, and continued to sing as a lay clerk the in the cathedral choir. He returned to Oxford to read Theology and train for the priesthood at St Stephen’s House, spending his final year as a visiting seminarian at the Venerable English College in Rome. Stephen was ordained in Lincoln Cathedral in 2009 and served as curate of Market Deeping before taking up his first post in Oxford. Fr Stephen is a passionate follower of the England Cricket team and an ardent Wagnerite.
***Dr. Ali Abdul Rahim is an academic at SOAS University. He holds a Ph.D. in the Philosophy of Sharia from the University of London and Masters Degree from Cambridge in Economics and International Development. He published several books on Islamic issues and also on Sudan’s politics. He also worked with economic and business institutions. Dr. Ali is a well-versed Islamic and Middle Eastern studies expert, with an outstanding track record of writing and publications. His research interests include Islamic Studies, Development Studies, Politics, and Law. Dr. Ali is also a human rights advocate focusing on the relationship between Religion, Law, Politics, and Development.
****The Revd Frank Julian Gelli obtained a BA in Philosophy from Birkbeck College, London, an MA in Christian Ethics as well as a PGCE, both from Kings College, London. He also holds an Oxford University Certificate in Theology. Three years ago he obtained an MA in Islamic Studies from the Muslim College, London. In 1986 he was ordained as an Anglican priest. He served in London parishes, as well as a chaplain to the Church of St Nicholas, British Embassy, Ankara, Turkey. From 1999, Father Frank has devoted himself to writing and to interfaith dialogue. He has lectured on interfaith in the US, Switzerland, Italy, Germany, Turkey and Qatar, where he was Visiting Fellow at the Family Institute, Qatar University. He often takes part in interviews and discussions on TV Channels like Press TV, Ahlulbayt TV and Islam Channel. He has three books available online. ‘Husayn at Karbala: The Enduring Struggle’, ‘Julius Evola, the Sufi of Rome’ and ‘The Dark Side of Britain’. His next book will be ‘The Qur’an and the Art of Problem-Solving’.
Admission is Free. Please register for catering purposes – email: d05sa@yahoo.co.uk or text 07795 660 438
