Open Discussions
in association with
Gulf Cultural Club
invites you to a seminar titled:
Rise and bear witness
Historic resonance of Imam Hussain’s stand for justice and morality
Speakers:
Dr Yafa Shanneik*
Amir De Martino **
Father Frank Gelli***
In a world that is becoming increasingly intolerant, corrupt, unsafe and unstable, a revolution of the human conscience is much needed. In 680 AD Imam Hussain, Prophet Mohammad’s grandson made history when he stood against tyranny, extremism and tribal political culture. He challenged the Umayyad ruler, Yazid, declaring it both illegitimate and corrupt. He paid the ultimate price. Together with 72 of his relatives and supporters they were slaughtered in most sadistic way. His women and children were paraded for forty days before being allowed to return to Medina; the home of their ancestors. It was a significant revolt intended to re-enliven the morality of the community and end the tribal tyranny.. What was Imam Hussain’s message? How did he make history and how his reformist movement is as valid today as in the seventh century?
Date: Tuesday 17th October 2017
Time: 6.30pm
Venue: Abrar House, 45 Crawford Place, W1H 4LP
*Dr Yafa Shanneik is Lecturer in Religious Studies at the University of Birmingham, specialising in Islam and Christianity. She is particularly researching Sunni and Shia women in Europe and their transnational networks to the Middle East. She is also interested in Muslim women’s leadership and authority in private and public spheres. Yafa is examining the changing nature of women’s participation in religious practices in Europe as well as in the Middle East. In addition, she works intensively on religious conversion and focus on women’s narratives of identity and belonging. She has BA (Hons) (Yarmouk University, Jordan), M.A. and Ph.D. (University of Würzburg, Germany).
**Amir De Martino is an Italian-born holding an MA in Islamic Studies from The Islamic College and a combined BA degree in Persian Language and Studies of Religion from SOAS –University of London. His Master dissertation was on: The development of ʿĀshūrāʾ rituals in Shiʿa Islam. Amir De Martino was trained in Islamic classical studies at the Hawzah Imam Hussein – London (prior to its merger with the Islamic College for Advanced Studies). In 2010 he obtained a PGCE in Social Research Methods from the Department of Education at Roehampton University as part of his preparation for doctoral studies. He has taught Islamic History modules and others various modules at the Islamic College for over a decade. At present, he is the Programme Leader of the BA (Honours) in Islamic Studies, a programme offered in partnership with Middlesex University. Amir De Martino is also a member of the Westminster’s SACRE (Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education).
***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 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 two books available online. ‘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
