Open Discussions
in association with
Gulf Cultural Club
invites you to a Discussion titled:
Significance of Ashura;
Notions of Martyrdom, justice and reform
with
Mohammad Iqbal Asaria, CBE*
Bishop Hendricks **
Dr Abdul Haq AlAni***
The martyrdom of Imam Hussain in 680 AD was a momentous event in the early part of the Islamic history. He is the grandson of Prophet Mohammad and son of Ali, the fourth caliph. His strong faith in the divine message of his grandfather pushed him to take a stand against the Umayyad ruler, Yazid, whom he viewed with contempt and vocal criticism. When he made his last stand in Karbala with 72 of his relatives and companions, he declared the aim of his movement; to seek reform and justice in the community left behind by his grandfather. He was subsequently martyred with those loyal individuals, only to remain a source of inspiration for the millions who continue to seek justice, reform and dignity.
Date: Wednesday 19th October 2016
Time: 6.30pm
Venue: Abrar House, 45 Crawford Place, W1H 4LP
*Mohammad Iqbal Asaria is special advisor to the Secretary General of the Muslim Council of Britain on business and economic affairs and a tutor on the MCB’s leadership development programme. In the late 1980s, he was the editor-in-chief of Afkar, a ground-breaking news and analysis journal published in London. Iqbal’s current interests are in Islamic and Moral Finance. He was awarded the CBE in the 2005 Queen’s Honours List for services to international development.
**Paul Hendricks was born in Beckenham, Kent on 18th March, 1956, After finishing school he went up to Corpus Christi College, Oxford in 1974 and was awarded a degree in Physics in 1977. He worked for two years at the GEC Hirst Research Centre, Wembley before going to study for the priesthood at the English College, Rome, from 1979 to 1985.He obtained a Licence in Philosophy from the Gregorian University, Rome. Ordained deacon at Palazzola, by Bishop Cyril Restieaux in 1983, he was ordained priest at Holy Innocents, Orpington, by Archbishop Michael Bowen in 1984.His first appointment, in1985, as assistant priest was to St Boniface, Tooting. In 1989 he was appointed Philosophy Lecturer and Bursar at St John’s Seminary, Wonersh. His next appointment was as parish priest of Our Lady of Sorrows, Peckham, in 1999 following the departure of the Capuchins. He also serves on the Diocesan Finance Committee and is the Diocesan Advisor on New Religious Movements and Cults. He was ordained by Archbishop Kevin McDonald on 14th February 2006. Bishop Paul Hendricks has responsibility for the South West pastoral area of the Diocese which comprises the Deaneries of BALHAM, CATHEDRAL, CROYDON, KINGSTON, MERTON, MORTLAKE and SUTTON.
***Dr Abdul Haq Al Ani is poet, writer, Chartered Electronic Communication Engineer and a Barrister. He is a member of The British Bar. He holds PhD in Microwave Communications Engineering, PhD in International Law, MSc in Electronics Engineering, MSc in Knowledge Engineering, MA in Philosophy and Higher Diploma in Law ﴾Bar Vocational Course﴿, he is the author of several books: Publications: Serab ﴾Poetry Collection in Arabic﴿, Diwan Abi Talib ﴾Poetry Study in Arabic﴿, Trial of Saddam Hussein, Uranium in Iraq: The Legacy of the Iraq Wars and Genocide in Iraq
Admission is Free. Please register for catering purposes – email: d05sa@yahoo.co.uk or text 07795 660 438
