Festival Events 2011
August is Festival season in Edinburgh with thousands of shows, performances and conversations taking place across the city.
For all those interested in Islam and Islamic culture, we have searched through all the festival programmes to find events which are of particular relevance.
Festival of Spirituality and Peace
The Day the World ChangedSaturday 27 August 2011, 9.30am - 10.30amSt John's Church, Princes Street
As we approach the 10th anniversary of 9/11 what is the legacy of that day and the conflict which ensued? Is the predicted ‘clash of civilisations’ being played out? We welcome Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf, founder of the Cordoba Initiative in Manhattan and visionary leader of the so-called ‘Ground Zero Mosque’ - who was at the eye of the storm last September as US public opinion wrestled with the bitterness of 9/11, the threatened burning of the Quran, overseas wars in Muslim countries and growing Islamophobia at home. Can the US exorcise the ghosts of 9/11? In conversation with Professor Hugh Goddard from the Alwaleed network of centres promoting mutual understanding between the World of Islam and the West.
How to Start a Revolution27 August - 27 June 2011, 11am - 12pmSt John's Church, Princes Street
The non-violent revolutions in the Arab world have brought hope to millions there and throughout the world. But HOW was it possible? Facebook, Al Jazeera and Gene Sharp’s book ‘From Dictatorship to Democracy’ have all been credited. We welcome Osama Saeed Head of International and Media Relations for Al Jazeera network and Ruaridh Arrow, Director of the film ‘How to Start a Revolution’ (based on Gene Sharp’s book) and Robin Yassin-Kassab, British Syrian writer and commentator, recently returned from Cairo.
The Arab Spring: Hope for All?Saturday 27 August 2011, 12.30pm - 1.30pmSt John's Church, Princes Street
The century began with the violence of 9/11 and counterviolence which has bedevilled our times. But have the recent non-violent revolutions in the Arab world brought hope where there was previously only despair? Is the Arab world now a democratic example to the West? And has ‘political Islam’ been outflanked by the youth of the Arab street? With Marilyn Booth, Head of the Department of Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies at the University of Edinburgh, Robin-Yassin-Kassab, British Syrian writer and commentator, recently returned from Cairo and Oliver McTernan, expert on middle east and east west relations.
Islam Festival Edinburgh
Discover Islam Exhibition
The Islam Festival Edinburgh (IFe) presents the hugely successful Discover Islam Exhibition. Come and acquire a dynamic experience of knowledge, art and culture. Take a tour around Edinburgh's magnificent central mosque, led by friendly guides who will be on hand to answer any of your questions. In addition, IFe provides an exciting window into the vibrancy of contemporary Muslim life and explores subjects of significance to the world of today.
Edinburgh International Book Festival
Islamphobia: how the press fuels myths about IslamWednesday 17 August 2011, 4pm - 5pmPeppers Theatre
Islamophobia is a term – and a phenomenon – that has become increasingly common in the decade since the 9/11 attacks. A new book edited by Julian Petley and Robin Richardson gives a fascinating insight into how Muslims are depicted, and often misrepresented, in the UK media. In this event they look at recent media controversies and discuss some authors' claims that Islamophobia is 'a wretched concept'
Telling Tales: the vital importance of storiesSaturday 20 August 2011, 8.30pm - 9.30pmScottishPower Studio Theatre
To coincide with the dramatisation of her One Thousand and One Nights which receives its European Premiere at the Edinburgh International Festival, the leading Lebanese writer Hanan Al-Shaykh joins us in Charlotte Square to discuss her re-telling of some of the greatest folk tales of the Arabic world. She shares the stage with Tahmima Anam, who will discuss her much-anticipated new novel, The Good Muslim, which is set in Bangladesh at the end of the brutal civil war of the 1970s. Both authors explore the importance of storytelling to a shared understanding of our heritage.
Tahar Ben Jelloun and Elias KhouryThursday 25 August 2011, 4pm - 5pmRBS Corner Theatre
Beckett and Barthes were fans of Tahar Ben Jelloun, and so were the judges of the Prix Goncourt and the IMPAC Award. In this event the leading Moroccan writer discusses his new novel A Palace in the Old Village. He is joined by Lebanese Elias Khoury, one of the pre-eminent intellectuals and writers of the Arab world, to discuss his novel As Though She Were Sleeping. From a retiring Muslim who dreams of returning to Morocco, to a Lebanese woman whose dreams foretell the future; these are stories of overwhelming sensitivity.
Shehryar Fazli and Kamila ShamsieThursday 25 August 2011, 8.30pm - 9.30pmRBS Corner Theatre
There is a gap between our perceptions of Pakistan and the realities of life there today. In this event two young authors examine the rapidly changing culture in their home country. Kamila Shamsie discusses her non-fiction book Offence, which explores the reasons why the West seems to offend Muslims in Pakistan so often these days, while Shehryar Fazli's debut, Invitation, charts a dark moment in Pakistan's recent history, and claims to be the first example of a new genre, Karachi Noir.
Ahdaf Soueif and Hisham Matar with Allan LittleFriday 26 August 2011, 2pm - 3pmScottishPower Studio Theatre
Revolutionary protests in Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt and Libya over recent months have brought about the demise of a number of autocratic regimes. But is this really the beginning of what some have described as the 'Arab Spring'? And what were the real underlying causes of the upheavals? As part of his guest-selected series on revolution in the 21st century, Allan Little discusses the historic events with the acclaimed Egyptian author Ahdaf Soueif and distinguished Libyan novelist Hisham Matar, both of whom have written novels shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize.
The World After 9/11Saturday 27 August 2011, 7pm - 8.15pmSpiegeltent
Ten years on the shocking and catastrophic events of 11 September 2001 continue to influence the way we see the world. Guantanamo Bay still holds men suspected by the US to be planning anti-American terrorism, and troops remain engaged in conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq. How can we expect the USA and Britain to move forwards from the ‘war on terror’, and what status should the 9/11 attacks be granted in the emerging history of the early 21st century? Join the debate with our panel including Declan Walsh, the Guardian’s Foreign Correspondent for Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Kamila Shamsie and Declan Walsh with Allan LittleSaturday 27 August 2011, 2.30pm - 3.30pmPeppers Theatre
The revolutionary events in North Africa and the Middle East might have implications for the rest of the world, especially if protests in favour of human rights and democracy continue. In Pakistan, many believe its fragile and unsatisfactory political status quo is vital to the stability of the entire region. As part of his guest-selected series on revolution in the 21st century, Allan Little discusses political realities in Pakistan with authors Kamila Shamsie and Declan Walsh, the Guardian’s Foreign Correspondent for Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Edinburgh Festival Fringe
Shazia Mirza: Busybody3 - 28 August 2011, 8.15pm - 9.15pmGilded Balloon, Teviot
Shazia Mirza’s comedy is a unique blend. Her Pakistani parentage and Birmingham upbringing have resulted in a comedy rich in its diversity. Although her family are Muslim this is not a central to Shazia’s comedy, preferring a more general observational approach which also deals with her particular culture as a British Asian woman.
Jeff Mirza: Jihad: Heresy or Hearsay4 - 28 August 2011, 10.40pm - 11.40pmUnderbelly, Cowgate
Prophets or losses? Blasphemy or Blast-for-me? See Muslim comic Jeff Mirza's hilarious jihadi fuelled ‘faith off’ about world beliefs fresh from a tour of Saudi Arabia. Do beards really matter? Why was JK Rowling being discussed at the local Mosque? Nectar Points or Clubcards: which is halal? Are gay Muslims allowed? Can cousin marriages, burqas, consumption of meat, inquisitions and crusades really help one get to heaven? Allah, Buddha, Christ, Dawkins, or Darwin - none are spared. Just don’t shoot the messenger! Jews and Hindus welcome. Ramadan Mubarak!
Imran Yusuf: Bring the Thunder3 - 29 August 2011, 7pm - 8pmPleasance Courtyard
A brand new show about unrelenting enthusiasm and perseverance from the star of Michael McIntyre’s Comedy Roadshow and Edinburgh Comedy Best Newcomer nominee. Join Imran on his journey of having a dream and seeing it through, overcoming the obstacles of fear and opposition with unshakeable self-belief that took him from unknown to become a rising star in British comedy. Motivating, inspiring and 100% comedy! 'A new comedy star' **** (Time Out).
Edinburgh International Festival
One Thousand and One Nights21 August - 3 September 2011, 2pmRoyal Lyceum Theatre, Edinburgh
Dramatised by Tim Supple, stories adapted
by Hanan al-Shaykh
Edinburgh Mela
The Edinburgh Mela is an exciting weekend Festival which takes place at the beginning of September.
The Mela is a celebration of world culture, faith and tradition and will almost certainly involve events related to the world of Islam.
The 2011 programme is soon to be announced so keep your eye on the Mela website for more information.
This article was published on Nov 6, 2012