Podcasts and Videos
We attempt to record as many of our events as possible so they can be enjoyed by anyone, anytime.
Our growing list of podcasts and videos provides a record of our many seminars, lectures and special events.
We try to add at least one podcast or videocast every week so make sure you check this page regularly.
The podcasts and videocasts listed below are in chronological order, starting with the most recent and working back.
The Multi-religious Landscape of Modern Bosnia
A special seminar delivered by Dr Stephen Goodwin (Istanbul) and organised by the Centre for the Study of World Christianity, University of Edinburgh.
Religious Symbolism and Conscientious Objection in the Workplace
A special seminar my Mark Hill QC, expert on the law of religious liberty and the country's leading practitioner in ecclesiastical law. Mr Hill reflects on four recent employment cases involving religious belief and expression in the workplace which were taken to the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg. Organised by the Edinburgh Alwaleed Centre and the the Centre for Law and Society, University of Edinburgh.
The Principles and Aims of Islamic Finance
A special seminar led by Iqbal Khan, CEO of of leading international Islamic investment firm Fajr Capital. This joint seminar was organised by the Alwaleed Centre and the Sustainable Business Initiative and the Corporate Responsibility and Governance Network (University of Edinburgh Business School). Mr Khan's illuminating Powerpoint presentation can also be downloaded by clicking on the link below.
Minority religious communities in the legal system of Iran
A seminar delivered by Professor Houchang Chehabi (International Relations, Boston University) exploring the often precarious status of religious minorities in Iran's legal system.
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.
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.
Islamic Astronomy: Perspectives on Science and Religion (VIDEO)
Delivered by Dr Bruno Abdul Al-Haq Guiderdoni, Director of the Lyon Observatory.
Copernicus, Galileo, Newton - names we all recognise as historic giants of astronomy But how many people have heard of Ibn al-Haytham, al-Khwarizmi or Ulugh Beg? We don't learn about them at school, but their influence is no less significant than their western counterparts.
What dropve Muslims to make such extraordinary progress in the field of astronomy and what is it about Islam that encouraged these visionaries to look up to the starts?
Chaired by Professor Andy Lawrence, Regius Professor of Astronomy, University of Edinburgh.
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.
Muslims and Political Participation in Britain
In April 2012, the Alwaleed Centre hosted a major conference exploring Muslim political participation on both a grassroots and governmental level. Eighteen of the twenty papers presented at the conference are available to listen to as podcasts. Just follow the link below.
Muslims and the Political Process in Scotland (video)
In April 2012, the Alwaleed Centre hosted a unique panel discussion at the Scottish Parliamnet involving Muslim representatives of the four largest political parties in Scotland. The discussion was chaired by Professor Mona Siddiqui and attended by more than 130 people.
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.
Recent Research on Shari'ah
In March 2012, Dr Rana Alsoufi (Ph.D University of Edinburgh 2011) and Mrs Azizat Amoloye-Adebayo (Ph.D candidate, University of Nottingham), presented their doctoral research on two different aspects of Shari'ah law.
Dr Alsoufi explored the theme ‘Power of Law: Problems in the contemporary application of Islamic Criminal Law of Hudud in relation to women’.
Mrs Amoloye-Adebayo asked the question ‘Islamic Law for Men? Or for Everyone? The dilemmatic question of a Muslim woman’.
Unfortunately our recording equipment let us down and a podcast is not available. However, Professor Hugh Goddard has prepared a two page summary of the presentations which can be downloaded as a PDF by clicking on the link below.
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.
Global events, national concerns, everyday issues: Muslims in Scotland
The first in our series of seminars exploring the experiences of Muslims in contemporary Britain. Dr Peter Hopkins reflects on his doctoral research into the lived experiences of young Scottish Muslims.
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.
Moroccan Islam?
A lecture delivered by Professor Hassan Rachik (University of Hassan II, Casablanca) exploring the distinctive qualities of Islam in Morocco.
A short ten-minute interview with Professor Rachik is also available to hear online. In this interview, Professor Rachik explores the key themes of his lecture with Professor Hugh Goddard, Director of the alwaleed Centre.
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 feature 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"
Scripture and Islam: The Holy Qur'an
The ideal introduction to the Qur'an from Professor Hugh Goddard, Director of the Alwaleed Centre. This fifty-minute presentation is perfect for anyone wanting to learn the basics about the Qur'an. No previous knowledge required!
Justice and Peace in Islam
Part of a study day delivered at Stewarton Academy, East Ayrshire, this podcast features Glasgow-based scholar Shaykh Ruzwan Mohammed and Edinburgh solicitor Safeena Rashid discussing Justice and Peace in Islam with Professor Hugh Goddard.
More pocasts and videos
Click on the link below for more podcasts and videos from the Alwaleed Centre.
This article was published on Mar 13, 2013