When asked about the significance of this event at such a renowned institution, Iqbal Nasim, Vice President of the University Islamic Society highlighted the goal to inform and educate the community to provide a sound understanding of the Islamic faith. Nasim emphasized that misconception about Islam especially concerning the status of women and the exploitation of the term Jihad must be addressed. This is essential even though the considerable number of Muslims at the university shows the community’s tolerant and understanding nature.
“All this has a further importance against the backdrop of Cambridge: it is vital that the leaders of the future, who will wield significant influence in the world, have a correct understanding of the world's fastest growing phenomenon”
Intissar Khreeji, a first year Law student at King’s College, Cambridge explained what she hopes will be achieved by Islam Awareness Week; “I think that the majority of people have certain preconceptions, as the media tends to sensationalize Islam and talk about extremist figures who aren’t representative of the Islamic community, but I hope that over the course of this week the society will take the opportunity to discover more about Islam, and some of these myths will be dispelled”.
Sheikh Zayyed Lecturer on Islamic Studies, Dr Timothy Winter pointed out that a great majority of radical Islamic groups do not succeed. “They have no permission from heaven to succeed.” He was speaking to a plethora of intelligentsia at a packed lecture theatre on Jihad. In his keynote address, the distinguished scholar educated at Oxford and at well-known establishments in Saudi Arabia and the UAE said that “people do what anger dictates and mutilate classical texts.”
An expert on classical Islam, Dr. Winter highlighted that extremists have moved away from the true teachings because they are impatient with their formulation. The academic noted the problem with extremist mentality. “The west is vulnerable in every way except military. Terrorists go and attack the strongest point in the enemies’ defences.” He believes that the concept of a ‘warrior saint’ does not exist in Islamic culture and this is a problem for the western mind, pointing out that the west has had a more violent history than any other part of the world. “Total war is a European understanding,” he said, remarking that the targeting of civilians is not an option for Muslims. The scholar stressed that the killing of minors and women is not acceptable and that compensation must be provided to those who have been wrongly killed. “It is the obligation of a Muslim ruler to come to the aid of non-Muslims if they are being oppressed.”
During the extensive question session that followed, Dr. Winter emphasized that Muslims and non-Muslims alike should learn from the greatest achievement of Classical Islam, that of the unity between the four madhabs (Islamic schools of thought) although they have differences. “This is unique in religious history. A foundation that we should believe in.” He called on the audience to appreciate that the ideal for human conduct is found in the prophetic model.
Awareness week also invited Shabir Ally who spoke on the significance of Jesus in Islam and Sarah Joseph, editor of the recently founded Muslim lifestyle magazine, EMEL, based in London, who discussed the status of women. Massoud Shadjareh, Chairman of the Islamic Human Rights Commission expressed outrage at the treatment of those at Camp X-ray likening their conditions to those of cats and dogs in a cage. He was also concerned at the treatment of Muslims in Britain. “We walk in the same streets and take our children to the same hospitals. Why are we being seen as the enemy within?” he questioned citing the shocking state of Muslims stopped at ports for 8-9 hour interrogations. Shadjareh quoted a verse from The Quran commanding Muslims to protect ‘those who are oppressed.’ He added that religion is not the issue. “Justice in Islam is blind to nationality.”
Apart from these contentious issues, the basic tenets of the faith were presented in talks on The Quran, the five pillars of Islam, and The Prophet Mohammed (pbuh) as well as Islamic art. While over 2 million faithful thronged Mina for the Haj, a presentation was given on this annual pilgrimage. Questioned about the popularity of the week’s events, Sara Hakeem, a main organizer of the awareness week was delighted with a packed hall for lectures and the high turnout for the evening talks, especially those about Jihad, women in Islam and Jesus. The audience included both Muslims and non – Muslims symbolizing the quest for knowledge by many in Cambridge.
Day One allowed non-Muslims watch as nearly 100 faithful braved the cold winter temperatures and the damp grass, to pray bare foot on the lawn in front of King’s College Chapel. The scene echoed the poetry of 19th Century Urdu poet, Sir Mohammed Iqbal who described the Islamic foundation on equality in ‘Shikwa’ (complaint); “Mahmood and Ayaz, the prince and the pauper stood in a saff (row) in front of Allah - no prejudice between rich and poor or black and white”. Miss. Hakeem, who had obtained special permission to use the college grounds that is rarely given, was extremely grateful to King’s for allowing this extraordinary event. Asked whether she found Cambridge a tolerant place to practice her faith she replied “No, Cambridge doesn’t just tolerate difference, it fully accepts it and even accommodates it. The university provides a special room where we can pray and break our fast at Ramadan.”
Chris Trundel, a student at Cambridge who watched the sunset prayer regarded the Arabic recitation as “mesmerizing” and different to what he normally hears in a chapel. He appreciated that there would be mixed reactions to the event but he still thought it was a “good thing.”
In the light of the success in advancing Islam, thanks to a creative management team who organized everything from marketing to food, coordinators are already considering suggestions for 2005. The event having just finished, Nabiel Ishaque also involved in planning stated that there are no concrete plans yet. “We may make more of an effort to address current issues, and problems, for instance globalization, racism and sexuality in the light of Islamic teaching.” Lectures also underscored the collective obligation of Muslims to show respect and tolerance towards those whom they live with, to dispel myths that Islam is an abusive religion that is maligned with human principles.
The Cambridge Islam Awareness Week will reflect well on the University management who frequently come under fire for their failure to promote diversity.
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