Islamic Civilisation Podcasts and Videos
Podcasts and videos on the theme of Islamic civilisation produced by the 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.
Garden and Landscape Design in Safavid Iran and Mughal India VIDEO
Delivered by Professor Attilio Petruccioli (University of Qatar) this lecture examines some landscapes of gardens in Iran, such as Isfahan and Kashan, Herat in Afghanistan and Agra, Mandu and the basin of Srinagar in India emphasizing the role of the Safavid dynasty, Timurid and Mogul in garden design and landscaping, the mutual influences and permanence or variation of compositional schemes. Hosted in the wonderful surroundings of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Edinburgh. Part of the Islamic Civilisation Lecture Series 2013.
A Musical Journey Through the world of Islam VIDEO
A unique and unforgettable evening of music from Turkey, Iran, the Arab World and Andalucia. With special performances from Edinburgh-based acts Dunya Ensemble and Duo Hyperdorea and featuring short introduction to music in the Islamic world by Professor Hugh Goddard, Director of the Edinburgh Alwaleed Centre. Part of the Islamic Civilisation Lecture Series 2013.
False Attribution or Creative Imitation? The Tradition of Women's Poetry in Early Qajar Iran VIDEO
In an environment in which writing by women was considered less valuable than that of men, it is unsurprising that poetry penned by women in early Qajar Iran (circa 1797-1848) has, for the most part, survived only in fragmented form. In this special lecture, Dr Dominic Brookshaw (University of Oxford) examines in detail three short lyric poems penned by three women poets. To date these poems have been treated as instances of sloppy misattribution. Dr Brookshaw will argue that these poems (and many others like them) should instead be read as evidence of an active culture of creative imitation within the world of women poets in the Qajar period; one that did not always include men. Part of the Islamic Civilisation Lecture Series 2013.
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.
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.
Islamic contributions to medicine
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.
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).