Podcasts and videos
Podcasts and videos on the theme of the Muslim World and the West
The Roman Catholic - Shi'i Dialogue
Over the past few years a series of high-profile dialogues have been held between Roman Catholic Christians and Shi i Muslims, on topics such as 'Theology and Spirituality', 'Faith and Reason', and 'Ethics' (including Environmental Ethics, Bioethics, and Business Ethics). These conversations were arranged by significant institutions in Iran and the UK, and were held at different academic and monastic institutions. In this special event we hear from two of the architects of this dialogue, Dr Mohammad Ali Shomali and Dr Anthony O'Mahony, who are also the editors of the publications which emerged from them, about how the conversations progressed, and also about their assessment of the future of Catholic- dialogue. Organised in partnership with the University of Edinburgh Chaplaincy and part of UN World Interfaith Harmony Week.
Ibrahim Mogra: Healing Communities After Woolwich
A special lecture by Shaykh Ibrahim Mogra, Imam, Scholar and Assistant General of the Muslim Council of Britain. After the tragic murder of Lee Rigby there has been an unfortunate rise in attacks on innocent Muslims. Ibrahim Mogra addresses the question of how to bring communities together after events such as Woolwich, and how to deal with its many consequences. In partnership with the Edinburgh Inter-Faith Association and part of Scottish Inter-Faith Week 2013.
Leila Aboulela: Muslim Logic in Fictional Narratives
A talk by renowned Aberdeen-based Sudanese author Leila Aboulela in partnership with the Centre for the Advanced Study of the Arab World and the Encyclopaedia of Women in Islamic Cultures. Introduced by Professor Marilyn Booth, University of Edinburgh.
“The sense of the original”: Translating the Qur’an in the West VIDEO
In the preface to his English version of the Qur’an published in 1734 George Sale wrote that the translations aimed to represent “the sense of the original”. The means of doing this, as well as the decision as to what the “sense” really was, however, differed greatly through the ages. The translators depended on the sources available - the Muslim interpretations or tafsir, and personal informants, Muslim or otherwise - but they were also conditioned by current attitudes to Islam, current tastes, and what they thought their readers would want to read. The lecture will survey European translations of the Qur’an from the Middle Ages to the nineteenth century with particular emphasis on developments and changes in Germany (as well as in the rest of Europe) between 1600 and 1850. These developments would affect all modern versions of the Qur’an. A special lecture delivered by Professor Alastair Hamilton (the Warburg Institute, London) in the spectacular surroundings of the University of Edinburgh's Playfair Library. Part of the Islamic Civilisation Lecture Series 2013.
The Thistle and the Drone: how America's war on terror became a war on tribal Islam
In June 2013, the Alwaleed Centre was honoured to welcome Professor Akbar Ahmed to Edinburgh to discuss his new book "The Thistle and the Drone". Professor Ahmed is a world-renowned thinker and commentator on contemporary Islam. He served as Pakistani High Commissioner to the UK from 1999-2000 and now holds the Ibn Khaldun Chair of Islamic Studies at the American University, Washington DC. This podcast features Professor Ahmed's lecture outlining his book's key themes and arguments. This is followed by responses from Professor Crispin Bates (Director of the Centre for South Asian Studies, University of Edinburgh) and Professor Hugh Goddard (Director of the Alwaleed Centre for the Study of Islam in the Contemporary World, University of Edinburgh). Both Professor Goddard's and Professor Bates' responses can be downloaded as PDFs via the links below. Sadly the recording equipment did not capture the introduction to the event delivered by Prof Goddard, but this can also be downloaded as a PDF by clicking on the relevant link.
The Three Ages of Islam in France
In the first of two special lectures delivered at the University of Edinburgh in April 2013, Professor Gilles Kepel (Science Po, Paris) provides a compelling and enlightening overview of Islam in France, beginning with the first arrivals and ending with an indigenous, third generation French Islam.
A Muslim philosopher reads Paul's Letter to the Galatians: Dr Shabbir Akhtar
In the battle of the baptised versus the circumcised, Paul is the first and greatest knight. Imagine a Petrine or Jamesian Christianity triumphing instead of the Pauline version. Would it have survived the onslaught and intellectual appeal of a confident imperial Islam? The Pauline elements in Christianity truly distinguished it from its parent faith and it is these distinctive features that safeguarded it against Islam. This is a commentary on what is probably Paul's earliest and certainly most seminal letter, the epistle to the Galatian churches, an epistle that initiated the complete and irreversible rupture of the nascent Jesus movement from its established parent Jewish faith. Dr Akhtar's commentary contributes to inter-faith theological commentary while maintaining a rigorous scholarly interest in the purely exegetical dimension.
An interview with Dr Shabbir Akhtar
In advance of his seminar entitled "A Muslim philosopher reads Paul's Letter to the Galatians", Dr Shabbir Akhtar sat down with Professor Hugh Goddard (Director of the Edinburgh Alwaleed Centre) to discuss his life and work.
The Abrahamic religions: the prospects for there inter-relations
A special lecture by Dr Ed Kessler MBE as part of UN Inter-Faith Harmony Week. Dr Kessler is Executive Director of the Woolfe Institute, the UK's leading centre for the study of relations between Jews, Christians and Muslims.
Reference, Religion and the Qur'an
It is often said that Jews, Christians and Muslims pray to the same God. The religious texts of the three religions appear to refer in many cases to the same prophets and other leading characters, and there is a tendency to think that these are all references to the same people. On the other hand, there is reason to think that the references to biblical and Qur'anic characters are so distinct from each other that they are not in fact references to the same people at all. An absorbing public lecture delivered by Professor Oliver Leaman, University of Kentucky.
Islam's Influence on Judaism
A fascinating and timely talk delivered by Rabbi Mark Solomon as part of Scottish Inter-Faith Week 2012. Rabbi Solomon is Rabbi of the Edinburgh and Manchester Liberal Jewish Communities, Associate Chair of the Rabbinic Board of Liberal Judaism and Interfaith Consultant for Liberal Judaism. With responses from Shaykh Ruzwan Mohammed (Solas Foundation) and Professor David Fergusson (Principal of New College). Chaired Professor Hugh Goddard.
Migration between Pakistan and the UK: An interview with Dr Parveen Akhtar
In February 2012, the Alwaleed Centre was delighted to welcome Dr Parveen Akhtar (University of Bristol) to Edinburgh. Dr Akhtar delivered a fascinating seminar exploring her research into patterns of migration between Pakistan and the UK, focussing particularly on class distinctions and the impact of migration on both countries. Here, Dr Akhtar discusses her research with Dr Timothy Peace, Postdoctoral Fellow at the Alwaleed Centre.
Islamic carpets: connoisseurs, dealers and the formation of Islamic tastes
A lecture by Dr Yuka Kadoi, Alwaleed CEntre Post Doctoral Fellow. For the last 1300 years, Muslim craftsmen have worked in a variety of media, skilfully transforming ordinary objects into elaborate works of art. In particular, carpets have played a central role in the socio-economic and material life of the Islamic world. This lecture explores some key protagonists who helped cultivate the appreciation of Islamic carpets as works of art in the late 19th and early 20th centuries including collectors, scholars and dealers. Part of the Islamic Civilisation Lecture Series 2012.
Christian-Muslim dialogue: what are the prospects?
A lecture delivered by Professor Hugh Goddard, Director of the Alwaleed Centre, to a large audience in St Aloysius Church, Glasgow.
Jesus: Bridge of gulf between Christianity and Islam
Jesus is a central figure in both the Christian and Muslim traditions. In this fascinating lecture, celebrated Muslim scholar Professor Mona Siddiqui OBE explores the figure of Jesus in the Bible and the Qur'an. This lecture took place in St Cuthbert's Episcopal Church, Edinburgh and we thank them for allowing us make this recording available.
Muslim-Christian relations in Egypt before and after the elections
A seminar delivered by Cornelis Hulsman, Editor-in-Chief of the Arab-West Report, exploring the contemporary relationships between Muslim and Christian communities in a rapidly changing Egypt. Following his seminar presentation, Mr Hulsman joined Professor Hugh Goddard (Director of the Alwaleed Centre) along with Dr Michael Marten and Dr Fiona Mccullum (Co-conveners of the "Christians in the Middle East Network") for a twenty-minute discussion exploring the key themes of Mr Hulsman's seminar. Both the lecture and the conversation are available below.
Teaching Islamic Studies in Scotland
On 21st October 2011, the Alwaleed Centre hosted the second "Teaching Islamic Studies in Scotland" workshop bringing together lectures and PhD students working in the field of Islamic Studies (broadly defined). The workshop featured contributions from a number of experts including: Dr John Canning (Academic Coordinator of the Islamic Studies Network: "An Introduction to the Islamic Studies Network" Dr Anicee Van-Engeland (University of Exeter): "Teaching Islamic law in a law school" Dr Carool Kersten (King's College London): "Resources for Islamic Studies: teaching in Contemporary Islamic thinking".
Listen to Dr Canning's presentation
Where Cultures Meet: Christians and Muslims in the Medieval Mediterranean (video)
As part of a study day exploring various aspects of Islamic history and culture at Stewarton Academy, East Ayrshire, Dr Alex Metcalfe (University of Lancaster) delivered this absorbing presentation reflecting on the meeting of religion and culture in the medieval Mediterranean, with particular reference to Sicily. (Apologies for varying sound quality).
RIP UBL?: The impact of the death of Usama Bin Laden
A panel discussion with Professor Hugh Goddard (Director of the Alwaleed Centre), Dr Talat Ahmed (Department of History), Dr Ewan Stein (Politics and International Relations), and Dr Thomas Pierret (Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies). Exploring the impact of Bin Laden's death in the a Middle Eastern and South Asian context.
Islamic contributions to medicine (video)
A far-reaching presentation delivered by Dr Andrew Newman, Reader in the Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies Department at the University of Edinburgh. Dr Newman explores the extraordinary contributions of Islamic physicians to the development of medical knowledge. Introduced by Professor Hugh Goddard and part of a study day at George Heriot's School, Edinburgh.
So what is the relationship between the World of Islam and the West? (video)
In this presentation delivered to pupils at George Heriot's School, Edinburgh, Professor Hugh Goddard explores the complex religious, cultural, social and economic relationship between the "Islamic" and "Western" worlds.
The World of Islam and the West: the view from Beirut, Cairo, the UK and the USA (video)
This very special event was organised as part of the annual meeting of all six Alwaleed Centre in the UK, the US and the Middle East which was hosted by the Edinburgh Alwaleed Centre in March 2011. Introduced by the Principal, Professor Sir Timothy O'Shea, a panel discussion with: Dr Robert Myers (American University of Beirut) Prof. Roy Mottahedeh (Harvard University), Dr Jerry Leach (American University in Cairo), Prof. Yasir Suleiman (University of Cambridge), Prof. Hugh Goddard (University of Edinburgh), and Prof. John Esposito (Georgetown University).
Freedom and Liberty in Judaism, Christianity and Islam
A conversation event involving representatives of the Jewish, Christian and Muslim communities in Scotland. Dr George Wilkes, Sr Isabel Smyth and Shaykh Ruzwan Mohammed discuss freedom and liberty from their own perspectives and from the perspectives of their faith traditions.
Building Bridges: An initiative of the Archbishop of Canterbury
A seminar jointly hosted by the Alwaleed Centre and the School of Divinity. Presented by Dr. David Marshall.
The Legacy of Ayatollah Hussein Fadlallah
A far-reaching conversation between Dr Adham Saouli (Department of Politics and International Relations, University of Edinburgh) and Professor Hugh Goddard, Director of the Edinburgh Alwaleed Centre.
The 9/11 anniversary events in New York and Florida
A panel discussion reflecting on the events surrounding the anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. Featuring Prof Marilyn Booth, Prof Michael Northcott, Prof Hugh Goddard and PhD candidate Iqbal Akhtar.
Islam and the West
Director of the Alwaleed Centre, Professor Hugh Goddard, discusses the Archbishop of Canterbury's comments concerning Shari'ah in the UK.
Inter-religious efforts towards reconciliation in the Middle East
Professor David Burrell discusses inter-religious efforts towards reconciliation in the Middle East (19 minutes).
Professor John Esposito
Professor John Esposito is Director of the Alwaleed Bin Talal Centre for Muslim-Christian Understanding at Georgetown University, Washington a sister centre of the Alwaleed Centre in Edinburgh. Professor Esposito makes regular appearances on television screens across the world providing expert analysis on Christian/Muslim relations and the broader relationship between Islam and the West. Below are a number of videos featuring Prof Esposito.
Who speaks for Islam? What a billion Muslims really think
US policies in the Middle East (Al Jazeera)