Upcoming events

Sunday 28th July 2019, 10:30-21:30

Tramway & Hidden Gardens, Glasgow

The Alwaleed Centre is delighted to be supporting Scotland's first ever Sufi Festival.

The 2019 Sufi Festival welcomes you to an extraordinary journey into the mystical and magnificent world of Sufism and the sacred realm of the soul; a music and arts spectacular showcasing the mystery and majesty of the ancient devotional practices of the Sufis. Experience the soul-stirring poetry of Rumi, the transcendent, soaring rhythms of the Qawwali, the ritual solemnity of the mesmerising Whirling ceremony, and gain insight into the philosophy and esoteric wisdom of one of the oldest living mystical traditions.

Click link to view - Promo Video

For more information and programme visit - Website

Tuesday 20th August 2019, 17:30-19:00

St John's Church, Princes Street, EH2 4BJ

Scotland has welcomed more than 2,500 refugees from Syria since the devastating conflict began in 2011. The initial challenges of transitioning to a very different culture and environment can be incredibly hard for many new Scottish Syrians. But what about the longer-term challenges of building a new life in a very different country? How do young Syrians in Scotland navigate their way through the education system and onto further/higher education or employment? How do professional Syrians find fulfilling jobs and careers that suit their skill sets and expertise? In this conversation we will hear from Scottish Syrians who have made that transition, as well as organisations who support refugees through the process. We will also consider what we can all do to help our Syrian friends, neighbours and colleagues find long-term happiness in Scotland.                                                                         

Panelists: Nadin Akta (Syrian Futures Project, University of Edinburgh), Ammar Albawab (Chef, Pomegranate Takeaway), Marwa Daher (Media student, City of Glasgow College), Liz McArthur (Re-Act, Refugee Action Scotland), Estifa'a Zaid (Student Action for Refugees, University of Edinburgh).

Chair: Tom Lea (Alwaleed Centre, University of Edinburgh)      

Part of the Edinburgh Just Festival. Further information and free tickets available HERE. 

Wednesday 26th September 2019, 18:00-20:00

Geroge Square, Edinburgh (exact venue to be confirmed in August 2019)

Join us for a rare opportunity to hear from one of the world's most respected political scientists working in the field of contemporary Islam, Professor Peter Mandaville (George Mason University).

Lecture Overview

Over the past four decades, Muslim intellectuals and scholars living in the West have sought numerous times to create paradigms of religious thought and theology that reflect the specific circumstances of Muslim life in settings such as Europe and North America while still maintaining a connection to classical and traditional Islamic learning. By and large such efforts have failed to gain traction. This lecture will explore the intellectual history of such work in the context of an inter-generational sociology of Muslim communities in the West. Structured around issues of gender, shifting attitudes towards established ideological and theological trends in Islam, and the changing nature of religious authority in the age of social media, the talk will also assess future prospects for intellectual and theological innovation by Muslims in the West.

The lecture will be followed by a halal drinks and canapes reception.

About the Speaker

Peter Mandaville is Professor of International Affairs in the Schar School of Policy and Government at George Mason University, USA. From 2015-2016 he served as Senior Adviser in the Secretary of State’s Office of Religion & Global Affairs at the U.S. Department of State where he led that office’s work on ISIS and sectarian conflict in the Middle East. He has also been a Nonresident Senior Fellow at the Brookings Institution and a Visiting Senior Fellow at the Pew Research Center.

From 2011-12 he served as a member of former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s Policy Planning Staff where he helped to shape the U.S. response to the Arab Uprisings. He is the author of the books Islam & Politics (2007) and Transnational Muslim Politics: Reimagining the Umma (2001) as well as many journal articles, book chapters, and op-ed/commentary pieces in outlets such as the International Herald Tribune, The Guardian, The Atlanticand Foreign Policy.

He has testified multiple times before the U.S. Congress on topics including political Islam and human rights in the Middle East. His research has been supported by the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, the Carnegie Corporation of New York, the National Endowment for the Humanities, and the Henry Luce Foundation.

Click HERE for further information and FREE tickets.

This public lecture is part of a major series of lectures by distinguished speakers from across the world who are all contributing to a major new book series entitled "Edinburgh Studies of the Globalized Muslim World" published by Edinburgh University Press in association with the Alwaleed Centre for the Study of Islam in the Contemporary World, University of Edinburgh. For more information about the series, click HERE.

Tuesday 20th August 2019, 17:30-19:00

St John's Church, Princes Street, EH2 4BJ

Scotland has welcomed more than 2,500 refugees from Syria since the devastating conflict began in 2011. The initial challenges of transitioning to a very different culture and environment can be incredibly hard for many new Scottish Syrians. But what about the longer-term challenges of building a new life in a very different country? How do young Syrians in Scotland navigate their way through the education system and onto further/higher education or employment? How do professional Syrians find fulfilling jobs and careers that suit their skill sets and expertise? In this conversation we will hear from Scottish Syrians who have made that transition, as well as organisations who support refugees through the process. We will also consider what we can all do to help our Syrian friends, neighbours and colleagues find long-term happiness in Scotland.                                                                         

Panelists: Nadin Akta (Syrian Futures Project, University of Edinburgh), Ammar Albawab (Chef, Pomegranate Takeaway), Marwa Daher (Media student, City of Glasgow College), Liz McArthur (Re-Act, Refugee Action Scotland), Estifa'a Zaid (Student Action for Refugees, University of Edinburgh).

Chair: Tom Lea (Alwaleed Centre, University of Edinburgh)      

Part of the Edinburgh Just Festival. Further information and free tickets available HERE. 

Wednesday 3rd July 2019, 18:00-20:00

50 Geroge Square, Room 1.06

Join Shaykh Amin Buxton as he explores the life and poetry of Imam Sayyid Abd Allah ibn Alawi al-Haddad - one of Yemen's most celebrated Sufi poets and teachers. Shaykh Amin's talk will be followed by a special recital of Imam al-Haddad's work, accompanied by traditional instruments. The event will conclude with tea, coffee and Arabic treats.

Shaykh Amin Buxton is an educator and translator based in Edinburgh. He studied the Islamic Sciences in a traditional setting in both Syria and Yemen and is involved in several educational initiatives including the iSyllabus and New to Islam Edinburgh.

For more information and tickets click HERE.

This event is a prelude to Scotland's first ever Sufi Festival taking place on Saturday 28th July at the Tramway and Hidden Gardens, Glasgow. The Sufi Festival is free to attend and all are welcome. For more information visit: www.sufifestival.org.

Friday 28th June 2019, 15:00-17:00

7 George Square, Room G32

The Edinburgh Alwaleed Centre/Syrian Future Project and Bilingualism Matters are delighted to be part of the 2019 Scottish Refugee Festival.

Join us for this thought-provoking exhibition of art works created by members of the Syrian refugee community in Edinburgh, reflecting on language and the sense of home. These personal and individual experiences expressed by children, young people and adults, will inspire viewers to reflect on their own experiences and understanding of bilingualism and refugee languages.

The event will be launched with a poetry reading from Ahmad Al-Ejja, via Skype. Ahmad graduated in Arabic language, literature and religious studies. He has been writing poetry for the last ten years and his latest publication is called "Features of the Soul". His poem will be translated into English by Marwa Mouazen from Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies, University of Edinburgh.

For more information and tickets click HERE.

Wedensday 1st May, 18:30 - 20:00

50 George Square, Room 1.06

Join renowned political scientist Professor Francesco Cavatorta (Laval University) as he reflects on the longer-term trends in the Arab world using recent survey data to investigate the high level of dissatisfaction of citizens in countries that have experienced radically different post-uprising trajectories.

Francesco Cavatorta is an Associate Professor in Political Science at Laval University. He has conducted extensive field research on Islamism, party politics in the Arab world and civil society activism in the Middle East and North Africa. He is the author of The international dimension of the failed Algerian transition: Democracy betrayed? (Manchester University Press), co-author Politics and Governance in the Middle East (Palgrave), and co-editor of Salafism after the Arab Awakening: Contending with people's power (Hurst).

Tea, coffee and cake will be available from 6pm with the lecture beginning at 6:30pm.

For more information and tickets click HERE.

Tuesday 7th May, Teviot Lecture Theatre

50 George Square, Room G.04.

This event marks the launch of Prof. Modood’s new book, Essays on Secularism and Multiculturalism (Rowman and Littlefield and ECPR Press, May 2019). The lecture, drawn from a chapter in the book, will make a multiculturalist plea for studying Islamophobia (and groups negatively perceived from the outside, generally) within a normative framework which prioritises groups fighting outsider perceptions by boosting insider identifications (‘the struggle for recognition’). The form of the discussion may be called ‘normative sociology’. This is a sociology driven by socio-political problems that thinks of problems and solutions as existing within a common intellectual framework. Modood will show how applying this interdisciplinary approach allows us to rethink secularism and enable it to be multiculturalised. Following the presentation, a panel composed of Khadijah Elshayyal (Alwaleed Centre), Giulia Liberatore (Sociology and Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies) and Michael Rosie (Sociology) will comment on the book, followed by questions and discussion. The event will be chaired by Nasar Meer (Sociology). 

Tariq Modood is Professor of Sociology, Politics and Public Policy and the founding Director of the Centre for the Study of Ethnicity and Citizenship at the University of Bristol and the co-founder of the international journal, Ethnicities. He was a Robert Schuman Fellow at the European University Institute for part of 2013-15, a ‘Thinker in Residence’ at the Royal Academy of Flanders, Brussels in 2017.Modood was awarded a MBE for services to social sciences and ethnic relations in 2001, made a Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences in 2004 and elected a Fellow of the British Academy in 2017. He served on the Commission on the Future of Multi-Ethnic Britain, the National Equality Panel and the Commission on Religion and Belief in British Public Life.

For more information and free tickets clck HERE.

Saturday 28th July, all day

Tramway Theatre, Glasgow

the Alwaleed CEntre is proud to be supporting the first ever Sufi Festival hosted at the Tramway, Glasgow.

A day-long festival spread across the Tramway and the Hidden Gardens, with accompanying events across the surrounding areas of Pollokshields and Govanhill, the Sufi Festival will open a door into the art and culture of Sufism, from music, poetry and theatre, to art and craft, storytelling, and ritual ceremonies of devotion. There will also be a host of talks by leading academics and Sufi scholars about the history, ideas, and relevance of Sufism in the world today, and exhibitions of Islamic artefacts.

For more information visit: www.sufifestival.org

Thursday 4th - Saturday 6th April 2019

Giorgio Cini Foundation, Venice

This symposium aims to investigate the phenomenon of conscientious objection and the stakes they raise in terms of citizenship and democracy. Its main objectives are:

- to become better acquainted with the actors and the repertoires of actions, individual or collective, which are carried out in the name of religion to contest public programs or policies;

- to identify the political, intellectual and social-legal responses to the challenge ofsuch alternative normativity and norms;

- to evaluate in a comparative perspective, on the one hand, the use of the objection by different religious traditions in relation to conceptions of freedom of conscience, and on the other hand, to analyze what the exemptions granted for religious pluralismin the societies under consideration imply in terms of rights or recognition ofdifferent beliefs;

- to analyze the different conceptualizations of freedom of conscience incontemporary democratic societies in a comparative perspective;- to reflect on the theoretical dilemmas generated by a reconciliation between ageneral framework and specific claims; and more broadly, to reflect on the possibilityand functions of a common standard in a plural society seeking to respectfundamental rights.

Organised in partnership with Fondazione Cini/KU Leuven, GSRL EPHE-CNRS, Université de Sherbrooke, Université de Montréal.

Click HERE to view the call for papers.

Monday 25th March, 17:15-19:00

19 George Square, Room G.02

A free seminar by Alwaleed Centre Honorary Professorial Fellow Professor Hugh Goddard.

Part of the IMES Spring Research Seminar Series. For more information click HERE.

Tuesday 2nd April 2019, 18:00-20:30

50 George Square, Room G.04.

This year, the Alwaleed Centre is excited to be launching a new Massive Open Online Course entitled "The Shari'a and Islamic Law: An Introduction". One of the resources featured as part of the course is "The Judge",  a new documentary directed by Erica Cohn and following the journey of Khulud al-Faqih, the first female judge on a Sharia Court in Palestine.

Join us for this special screening and panel discussion as we launch our new course and explore the meaning and manifestations of Shari'a and Islamic Law through time and space.

More information to follow.

friday 8th March, 14:00-16:00

Friday 8th March 2019, 2pm-4pm, Seminar Room C, Lauriston Fire Station (Edinburgh College of Art)

Limited seats are available for this special seminar by one of the world’s leading experts on medieval Andalusian astrolabes, Dr. Azucena Hernández (Complutense University, Madrid). The seminar will be split into two parts with a short break between:

Part 1: History, structure and uses of the astrolabe (45 minutes followed by time for questions)

Part 2:  The manufacture of astrolabes in al-Andalus (45 minutes followed by time for questions).

Places are strictly limited and will be assigned on a first come, first served basis. To book your place, contact Dr. Glaire Anderson: glaire.anderson@ed.ac.uk

Organised in partenrship with our colleagues at the Edinburgh College of Art.

Friday 1st March - Friday 8th March 2019

This year sees the 10th anniversary of the hugely popular Edinburgh Iranian Festival. The Alwaleed Centre has been a longstanding supporter of the festival and is a silver sponsor this year. Visit the EIF website for further information about the wonderful events they have lined-up. Films, exhibitions, talks and concerts - there's something for everyone: www.ediranfest.co.uk

Friday 1st March 2019, 08:30-17:30

Appleton Tower, Room 2.12

This unique, one-day event is being held in partnership with Marie Skłodowska-Curie actions - European Commission, Laboratoire Méditerranéen de Sociologie (LAMES - CNRS) and Maison méditerranéenne des sciences de l’homme (MMSH).

Following opening remarks by Dr Nacim Pak-Shiraz, Head of Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies at Edinburgh, the event will begin with a keynote speech by Dr Michael Willis (HM King Mohammed VI Fellow in Moroccan and Mediterranean Studies, St Antony’s College - Oxford University) on ‘Studying Morocco and the Modern Maghreb in the UK’.

The rest of the day will be given over to the following Panel Sessions and Discussions:

• Session 1: Protesting and engaging in a context of authoritarian reinforcement - chaired by Dr Elvire Corboz (IMES, University of Edinburgh)
• Session 2: Production, dynamics and characteristics of offline and online popular culture - chaired by Dr Antony Gorman (IMES, University of Edinburgh)
• Session 3: Certainty and uncertainty in migration experiences - chaired by Dr Giulia Liberatore (IMES & Alwaleed Centre, University of Edinburgh)

Closing remarks will be by Dr Myriam Catusse (The Institute of Research and Study on the Arab and Muslim Worlds - IREMAM, CNRS-AMU).

Click HERE for further information and to book your place.

Friday 8th February 2019, 17.00-18:30

Lecture Theatre 4,  Appleton Tower, 11 Crichton Street, EH8 9LE

A Roundtable with:

- Professor Farhad Khoroskhavar, Ecole des Haute Etudes en Science Sociales, Paris

- Dr Nacim Pak-Shiraz, Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies, University of Edinburgh

- Professor Ali Ansari, Modern History, University of St Andrews

- Professor Louise Fawcett, Politics and International Relations, University of Oxford

- Mr Jim Muir, BBC Journalist

Chaired by Dr Ewan Stein, Politics and International Relations, University of Edinburgh and followed by a reception.

For more information and tickets click HERE.

Thursday 31st January, 17:00-20:00

Project Room (Room 1.06), 50 George Square, Edinburgh, EH8 9LH 

In literature, the Arabic word 'diwan' denotes a collection of poems and songs, like the Italian word 'canzoniere'. Around the richly embroidered history of a medieval Mediterranean diwan, in a symposium with live music, we will share songs of love and exile to bring together the so-called origins of Italian poetry from the Siculo-Arabic poets to Dante.

This event is organised by Italian Studies in collaboration with Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies, both in the School of Literatures, Languages and Cultures (LLC) at the University of Edinburgh, and the Baharat Collective, with the generous support of the Alwaleed Centre, University of Edinburgh, and the Italian Cultural Institute, Edinburgh.

For more information click HERE.

Monday 28th January 2018, 17:15-19:00

Room G.02, 19 George Square, EH8 9LD

A special research seminar by Alwaleed Arabic Teaching Fellow Dr Jona Fras exploring the fascinating way in which Arabic speakers move from more formal to more colloquial Arabic and the implications of this for how we teach the language. Part of the Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies Spring Seminar Series 2019.

More information HERE.

Friday 30th November - Saturday 1st December 2018 

George Square Edinburgh

The Alwaleed Centre is delighted to be working with the University of Edinburgh's School of History, Classics and Archaeology to help deliver this fascinating postgraduate conference.

Click HERE for further information.

Tuesday 27th November, 12:30-16:00

Anatomy Lecture Theatre, Doorway 3, Medical School, Teviot Place, Edinburgh EH8 9AG

Join us for an afternoon of debate and discussion focused on the many cnntributions of Islamic Civilisation to science, art and culture. In this special debating competition, 40 pupils from High Schools across Scotland will debate which Islamic Innovation has made the biggest impact on our lives. Open to the public and all are welcome.

Monday 19th November, 17.15-19.00

19 George Square Edinburgh, EH8 9LD

A special seminar by Dr Giulia Liberatore, Leverhulme Early Career Fellow at the Alwaleed Centre.

This event is free and no booking is necessary.

Sunday 11th November, 14.00-17.00

19 George Square, Edinburgh, EH8 9LD

Breaking Barriers brings together Jews, Christians and Muslims in Edinburgh to learn more about each other's beliefs, practices and ideas through a process known as 'Scriptural Reasoning'. The process encourages open and honest discussion through the reading of short passages of scripture from the Jewish, Christian and Muslim traditions. You don’t have to be an expert on scripture to benefit from scriptural reasoning. The idea is simply to use scripture as a starting-point for inter-faith conversation.

Reflecting this year's Scottish Interfaith Week theme "Connecting Generations", this special scriptural reasoning session will explore the relationship between parents and children in Jewish, Christian and Muslim scripture.

The session will begin with short reflections from faith representatives before breaking into smaller groups for discussion. Refreshments will be provided.

A partnership between the Alwaleed Centre and the Edinburgh Inter-Faith Association.

Clcick HEREfor further information and free tickets.

Monday 8th October 2018, 17.15-19.00

19 George Square Edinburgh, EH8 9LD

A special seminar by Dr Alistair Hunter, British Academy Postdoctoral Fellow at the Alwaleed Centre.

This event is free and no booking is necessary.

Saturday 29th September 2018

Glasgow Women's Library, 23 Landressy Street, Glasgow G40 1BP

All are welcome to this lively afternoon of spoken word and performance by emerging Muslim women writers exploring the theme of relationships.

We’ll also be in conversation with acclaimed Muslim women writers including Safina Mazhar, Sara Shaarawi and Sufiya Ahmed. Afternoon tea will be provided.

In partnership with Sheffield University Storying Relationships Project and Stella Quines Theatre Company.

Clcick HEREfor further information and free tickets.

Friday 14th September 2018

Lecture Theatre 4, Appleton Tower, 11 Crichton Street, EH8 9LE

In this special public lecture, Dr Shuruq Naguib (Lancaster University) will offer a critical review of gender-focused scholarly engagement with key Islamic texts and consider contemporary studies which examine female authority in these textual sources.

Clcick HEREfor further information and free tickets.

Thursday 13th September 2018

Lecture Theatre 4, Appleton Tower, 11 Crichton Street, EH8 9LE

The Alwaleed Centre at the University of Edinburgh is delighted to be welcoming one of the world's most influencial scholars of Islam and gender, Dr amina wadud, to Edinburgh as part of a unique workshop entitled: 'Muslim Women’s Religious Leadership and Authority in Europe and North America'. (Click HERE for further information).

Join us for this special public lecture where Dr wadud will explore some of the key themes of the workshop, focusing particulary on the question of authority in Islam.

Clcick HEREfor further information and free tickets.

Thursday 13th - Friday 14th September 2018

Lecture Theatre 4, Appleton Tower, 11 Crichton Street, EH8 9LE

This interdisciplinary workshop aims to facilitate a dialogue and scholarly exchange on the topic of Islamic female scholarship and leadership. We will be welcoming scholars and practitioners from a range of fields and disciplines to explore these topics and shed light on female Islamic leadership in Europe and North America.

ClcickHEREfor further information and to book your place.

Sunday 26th August, 17:00 - 18:00

The Spiegeltent, Edinburgh International Book Festival, Charlotte Square, Edinburgh

Mulla Nasruddin is the wisest man and the biggest fool in his village. He is occasionally rich but often poor, sometimes a judge and sometimes a teacher. But wherever he goes, whatever he does, he will make you laugh. Join author Sean Taylor and performer Eleanor Martin as they bring to life Riding a Donkey Backwards, a collection of 21 tales and riddles about this hilarious trickster known and loved across Muslim cultures.

Part of the Edinburgh International Book Festival. Clcick HERE for further information and tickets.

Tuesday 3rd July 2018, 16:00 - 19:00

Informatics Forum, 10 Crichton Street, Edinburgh EH8 9AB

The Alwaleed Centre at the University of Edinburgh invites you to a celebration Arabic food, art and culture as we welcome a delegation of 70 young students from Saudi Arabia who are visiting Edinburgh as part of a special intercultrual summer school programme.

Come and taste some delicious Arabic foods including a range of sweet pastries and some home cooked Kabsa (a rice and chicken dish famous in Saudi Arabia). Learn to speak a few words of Arabic and even have your name written in beautiful Arabic calligraphy. Alongside the food and art, there will be a traditional Saudi dance performance as well as the chance to try on some traditional Arab clothing.

We hope you can join us for what promises to be a truly memorable evening of food, culture and conversation. All ages are welcome!

This event is totally free of charge but registration is essential. Doors open at 4pm with the event coming to an end at 7pm.

ClcickHEREfor further information and free tickets.

Tuesday 19th June, 18:00 - 19:30

Peffermill Playing Fields, Peffermill Road, Edinburgh, EH16 5LL

Sunday 1st July 2018, 14:00 - 17:00

This summer, the Alwaleed Cenre at the University of Edinburgh is hosting a large group of students from Saudi Arabia for three weeks of intercultural activities and inititatives.

Many of the students are huge football fans, so we thought we would organise a special five-a-side football tournament to bring our Saudi students together with local footballers for an afternoon of friendly (but competitive) tournament football.

We are looking for up to ten local teams from across Edinburgh to enter this special Intercultural Cup tournament. Teams will be allocated a group, with round robin matches determining who progresses to the knochout stages. The first matches will kick off at 2pm with the final scheduled for around 4:30pm.

The tournament is completely free to enter and places will be assigned on a first come, first served basis. There will be prizes for the 1st, 2nd and 3rd placed teams and refreshments will be provided for all players.

ClcickHEREfor further information and to enter your team.

Tuesday 19th June, 18:00 - 19:30

Room G.02, 19 George Square, Edinburgh

Death caused by sung poetry is not an unknown phenomenon in the hagiographies of South Asian Sufis. Although the last documented case dates to the beginning of the 20th century, reactions such as unchecked crying and violent bodily movements are still a common occurrence during the musical assemblies of contemporary Sufis. Such reactions are often triggered by the meaning of the song text. In this presentation, Dr Miko  explores the strategies the performers of qawwali Sufi music employ in order to trigger such reactions.

Mikko Viitamäki is Lecturer in South Asian Studies at the University of Helsinki. He received his PhD from the University of Helsinki in 2015 majoring in Arabic and Islamic studies. In his dissertation, he studied the relationship of a poetic text and musical performance in the context of Sufi religious practice in Delhi and Hyderabad.

Clcick HERE for further information and free tickets.

Wednesday 16th May 2018, 18:00 - 19:30 (followed by a reception)

The Project Room, 50 George Square, Edinburgh

Join us for a special public lecture by Dr Rose Wellman, Assistant Professor of Anthropology at the University of Michigan-Dearborn and visiting scholar at the Alwaleed Centre, University of Edinburgh.

In Iran, ideas and practices of the family are integral to religious nation making. State elites and supporters (or members of the Basij, Iran’s paramilitary organization) tie the blood of kinship to the blood and sacrifice of Iran-Iraq War martyrs. They harness blood’s relational and sacred properties in museum displays and commemorations to delineate and sanctify an Islamic nation composed of pure, kindred citizens. But blood is not the only substance of kinship that figures in the making of the Islamic Republic. Food, as a substance that is central to Iranian family life, also infuses the grand rituals of state power, helping to create “what should be”—that is, kindred citizens who embody Islamic familial piety, purity, and closeness to God. This lecture draws from 15 months of research in Iran to examine how public and pious food rituals work alongside blood in Iranian state rituals to make the nation and its politics seem “natural,” inevitable, and God given. Dr Wellman will argue that a full spectrum of kinship’s substances, ineffable qualities, acts, and processes can shape and naturalize religious nation-making and query how and why the model of Islamic government advocated by Khomeini remains compelling to a significant portion of Iran’s citizens.

Clcick HEREfor further information and free tickets.

Tuesday 1st May 2018, 18:00 - 19:30 (followed by a reception)

The Project Room, 50 George Square, Edinburgh

Join us for the launch in Scotland of a major new monograph by Dr Khadijah Elshayyal (Alwaleed Centre, University of Edinburgh) entitled: "Muslim Identity Politics: Islam, Activism and Equality in Britain" published by I.B. Tauris.

This special event will begin with an introduction to the book by Dr Khadijah Elshayyal, followed by responses from Miqdaad Versi  (Assistant Secretary General of the Muslim Council of Britain) and Dr Timothy Peace (Lord Kelvin Adam Smith Fellow in the School of Politics, University of Glasgow).

The event will be followed by a non-alcoholic drinks and nibbles reception.

Clcick HERE for further information and free tickets.

Monday 9th - Wednesday 11th April 2018

University of Exeter

The Alwaleed Centre is the adminstrative hub of the British Associaiton for Islamic Studies which, in 2018, will be hosting its fifth Annual Conference at the University of Exeter.

For more information about BRAIS and the conference, visit: www.brais.ac.uk.

Thursday 5th March 2018, 18:00 - 19:30 (followd by a reception)

Project Room, 50 George Square, Edinburgh

Part of the Alwaleed Centre's Islamic Civilisation Lecture Series 2017/18.

Delivered by Lucy Deacon (University of Edinburgh) and delivered in the University of Edinburgh's School of Literatures Languages and Cultures at 50 George Square.

Followed by a non-alcoholic drinks and nibbles reception.

Clcick HERE for further information and free tickets.

Wednesday 21st March 2018, 18:00 - 19:30 (followd by a reception)

Screening Room, 50 George Square, Edinburgh

Part of the Alwaleed Centre's Islamic Civilisation Lecture Series 2017/18.

Delivered by Professor Jaakko Hameen-Anttila (the University of Edinburgh) and delivered in the University of Edinburgh's School of Literatures Languages and Cultures at 50 George Square.

Followed by a non-alcoholic drinks and nibbles reception.

Clcick HERE for further information and free tickets.

Thursday 1st March 2018, 18:30 - 20:00

Lecture Theatre G.03, 50 George Square

The University of Edinburgh is delighted to be welcoming one of the world's most distinguished analysts of political Islam, Professor Olivier Roy, to discuss his new book "Jihad and Death: The Global Appeal of Islamic State".

Click HERE for more information and to book your tickets.

Thursday 15th February 2018, 18:00 - 19:30 (followd by a reception)

Hawthornden Lecture Theatre, National Gallery of Scotland

Part of the Alwaleed Centre's Islamic Civilisation Lecture Series 2017/18.

Delivered by Professor Robert Hillenbrand (Universities of Edinburgh and St Andrews) and delivered in the unique surroundings of the National Gallery of Scotland. Followed by a non-alcoholic drinks and nibbles reception.

Click HERE for more information and to book your tickets.

Saturday 3rd February 2018, 13:30 - 15:00

Room G.02, 19 George Square, EH8 9LD

Join us for "Signs of hope? Developments in the conflict in Syria and the role of religious communities in peace-building and reconciliation" - an illustrated talk by The Revd. Andrew Ashdown exploring the current situation in Syria and the role that Christian and Muslim communities are playing as signs of hope in the midst of suffering.

Revd Andrew Ashdown is an Anglican priest currently undertaking Doctoral Research at the University of Winchester in the field of Christian-Muslim Relations in Syria. As well as being a regular visitor to Syria prior to the conflict, Andrew has visited the country 9 times in the last three years.  He has travelled widely in the country both independently and as a member of delegations, including visiting areas most affected by the conflict, and has met thousands of people from all communal backgrounds, including hundreds of internally displaced persons in different parts of the country.   He has met with many senior religious and political leaders, both government and internal opposition figures in the country, and in December 2016, he witnessed the final battle for East Aleppo, and was the first British person to enter the Old City of Aleppo, and areas of East Aleppo just hours after the last snipers had been removed.  In May 2017, he spent a whole month in Syria independently, and visiting communities in Damascus, Maaloula, Homs, Aleppo (East and West), Lattakia, Daraa, and the Lattakia hills bordering Idleb Province.  He has also met with Syrian refugees in Lebanon and Iraq. His research focusses on the religious dimensions of Syrian society and context.

Chaired by Professor Hugh Goddard with plenty of time for questions and discussion.

Click HERE for more information and to book your free tickets.

Sunday 28th January 2018, 14:00 - 17:00

University of Edinburgh Chaplaincy, 1 Bristo Place, Edinburgh, EH8 9AL

Scotland is home to more than 80,000 Muslims, drawing their heritage from a diverse range of cultures and traditions.Back by popular demand and as part of the 2017/18 Winter Festivals, the Alwaleed Centre at the University of Edinburgh is hosting a special Food Fair designed to reflect and celebrate the diverse Islamic culinary cultures that have made their home here in Scotland.

This free event will be an opportunity to explore and celebrate differences, appreciate similarities, and enjoy somedelicious home-cooked food! To compliment the food, there will also be live music and henna painting to enjoy.

Drawing inspiration from Burns Night, this event will be a chance to celebrate our diverse identities through sharingfood - a halal haggis will even be making an appearance!

For more information and to reserve your FREE tickets, click HERE.

Thursday 11th January 2018, 18:00 - 19:30 (followed by a reception)

Project Room, 50 George Square, Edinburgh

Part of the Alwaleed Centre's Islamic Civilisation Lecture Series 2017/18.

Join us for the second lecture of our 2017/18 Islamic Civilisation Series delivered by Lale Behzadi, Professor of Arabic at the Institute of Oriental Studies, University of Bamberg.

Premodern Arabic literature is a rich source of tales, legends, and anecdotes. In this special public lecture, Professor Behzadi will explore emotional patterns, conventions, representations, communities, and constellations with a special focus on “tales with a happy ending” from the 10th century.

Delivered in the University of Edinburgh's School of Literatures, Languages nad Cultures at 50 George Square and followed by a non-alcoholic drinks and nibbles reception.

To book your free tickets, click HERE.

Thursday 6th December 2017, 18:00 - 19:30

Royal College of Surgeons, Nicolson Street, Edinburgh, EH8 9DW

Part of the Alwaleed Centre's Islamic Civilisation Lecture Series 2017/18.

The medical tradition which developed in the lands of Islam from the seventh century AD onwards is rich and varied. Its history stretches over more than a millennium, and involves people of many languages (Arabic, Persian, Turkish, Syriac, Hebrew) and faiths (Muslims, Jews, Christians, Zoroastrians, and pagans).

In this special public lecture hosted in the beautiful surroundings of the Royal College of Surgeons’ Playfair Building, Professor Peter Pormann (Manchester University) will explore the emergence and development of Islamic medicine, medical theory and practice, patients and practitioners, popular medicine (including the medicine of the prophet) and the enduring legacy of this tradition today.

Illustrations, diagrams, and artefacts will feature as we journey back to a golden age of scientific discovery and advance. Throughout the lecture the many links between ‘East’ and ‘West’ will be highlighted which reveal that the scientific medical tradition that emerged in the medieval Islamic world is very much part and parcel of our own medical tradition, thus transcending country and creed.

Sunday 12th November 2017, 15:00 - 17:00

St Columba's by the Castle Episcopal Church, 14 Johnston Terrace, Edinburgh, EH1 2PW

Breaking Barriers brings together Jews, Christians and Muslims in Edinburgh to learn more about each other's beliefs, practices and ideas through a process known as 'Scriptural Reasoning'. The process encourages open and honest discussion through the reading of short passages of scripture from the Jewish, Christian and Muslim traditions. You don’t have to be an expert on scripture to benefit from scriptural reasoning. The idea is simply to use scripture as a starting-point for inter-faith conversation.

In this special meeting for Interfaith Week 2017, we will explore the way food is presented in our scripture and the role food plays in our lives and traditions.

This meeting will be hosted by St Columba’s by the Castle Episcopal Church and will begin with a welcome and introduction by the Reverend David Paton-Williams.

Refreshments will be provided and participants would be very welcome to bring some food along with them to share.

To sign-up and for more information click HERE.

Tuesday 17th October 2017, 18:00 - 19:30

Lecture Room LG.09, David Hume Tower, George Square

Join us for the launch in Scotland of "Muslims in Scotland: Society, Politics and Identity" edited by Professor Peter Hopkins (Newcastle University) and published by Edinburgh University Press.

This event is delivered in partnership with BEMIS (Black and Minority Ethnic Infrastructure Scotland), Edinburgh University Press and the Edinburgh Alwaleed Centre and will be followed by a non-alcoholic reception plus a chance to buy your copy of the book. 

This event is free but ticketed. Click HERE for more information and tickets.

Friday 13th October 2017, 17:30 - 19:00

Martin Hall, New College, New College, the Mound

We welcome Her Royal Highness Princess Lamia Bint Majed AlSaud, Secretary General of Alwaleed Philanthropies, to Edinburgh for a special conversation with Professor Mona Siddiqui, OBE. This Chancellor's Lecture event is free but tickets are very limited.

Click HERE for further information and to book your free ticket.

Thursday 24th August 2017, 14:00 - 15:00

Edinburgh International Book Festival, Studio Theatre, Charlotte Square

Islam has failed to reform, many say, or even to modernise. Yet, from the beginning of the 19th century the heartlands of the Middle East began a wholesale process of adaptation that led to the adoption of modern medicine, the release of women from purdah and the development of democracy. Who were these forgotten scholars and scientists and what has happened to their legacy?

Part of the Edinburgh International Book Festival 2017.

Click HERE for tickets.

Friday 18th August 2017, 16:00 - 17:30

Edinburgh International Book Festival, the Spiegeltent, Charlotte Square

Eric Broug’s Islamic Design Workbook is an innovative colouring book full of intricate Islamic designs. Eric shares his tips for drawing and colouring beautiful Islamic geometric designs and gives you the chance to get creative while indulging in a cup of tea, or juice, and a slice of cake - all included in the ticket price.

Part of the Edinburgh International Book Festival.

Click HERE for tickets.

Wedensday 16th August 2017, 18:30 - 19:30

Edinburgh International Book Festival, Bosco Theatre, George Street

"The Things I Would Tell You" dispels the narrow, clichéd notion of what a Muslim woman looks and sounds like. British-Egyptian poet, playwright and screenwriter Sabrina Mahfouz selects the work of over 20 women writers of Muslim heritage, from established heavyweights such as Ahdaf Soueif, Leila Aboulela and Kamila Shamsie, to young emerging artists including Asma Elbadawi, Amina Jama and Nafeesa Hamid.

Part of the Edinburgh Internatioal Book Festival.

Click HERE for tickets.

Saturday 15th July, 14:00 - 17:00

The Project Room, 50 George Square

The Alwaleed Centre for the Study of Islam in the Contemporary World and the Department of Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies at the University of Edinburgh, invite you to join us for an afternoon of Arabic culture in Edinburgh.

Come and watch beautiful Arabic calligraphy demonstrations, have your own name written in Arabic calligraphy, learn more about the connections between the Arabic and English languages, learn some famous Arabic/Islamic words and phrases, taste some delicious Arabic food and drink, try on some traditional Arab clothing and meet a group of young Saudis who are visiting Edinburgh as part of a special dialogue initiative

Tickets are free but registration is essential. ClickHERE to register via Eventbrite.

Saturday 1st - Sunday 16th April 2017, 11:00 - 18:00 daily.

Summerhall, Edinburgh, 

A Hidden Order reveals the bonds between art and music through geometry and mathematics, bringing to light an unforeseen unity that merges the worlds of traditional Islamic art and Western contemporary composition. This unique, cross-disciplinary exhibition, which includes a collection of artworks and an interactive platform, is the culmination of a long-term collaboration between composer Lee Westwood and geometer Sama Mara.

Part of the Edinburgh International Science Festival. Click HERE for more information.

Tuesday 11th - Thursday 13th April 2017

University of Chester

The Alwaleed Centre serves as the Administrative Hub of the British Association for Islamic Studies.

This year's conference will be taking place at the University of Chester and the provisional programme is now available to view HERE.

Monday 6th March 2017, 17:15 - 18:30

Room G.02, 19 George Square, Edinburgh, EH8 9LD.

The first of two lectures by Associate Professor of Religion and Boston University Dr Kecia Ali.

Part of the Department of Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies' Research Seimnar Series.

FREE and no reservation necessary. More information HERE.

Wednesday 8th March 2017, 18:00 - 19:30

Lecture Theatre C, David Hume Tower, George Square, Edinburgh.

Professor Kecia Ali is Associate Professor of Religion at Boston University and a leading scholar of law, gender, ethics and biography in Islam. In this very special public lecture, Professor Ali will discuss her hugely influential monograph 'Sexual Ethics and Islam: Feminist Reflections on Qur’an, Hadith, and Jurisprudence' (2006, expanded ed. 2016).

Copies of the book will be available to buy after the event with the opportunity to have your copy signed.

This event is FREE but registration is essential. Please register via Eventbrite by clicking HERE.

Wednesday 22nd February 2017, 14:00 - 17:00, followed by refreshments.

Martin Hall, New College, the Mound, Edinburgh.

A discussion addressing religious issues in militaries across the world, taking as a point of departure the recently published book Military Chaplaincy in an Era of Religious Pluralism (OUP, 2017). Jointly organised by the Religious Studies and Theology and Ethics Seminars, the Asian Religions Research Network, the Edinburgh Alwaleed Centre, the Project on Religion and Ethics in the Making of War and Peace, and the Centre for Theology and Public Issues.

Speakers will include Dr Torkel Brekke (PRIO, Oslo); Imam Asim Hafiz (Muslim Chaplain to the UK Forces); Professor Jonathan Spencer (Edinburgh); Dr George Wilkes (Edinburgh); and Dr Gorazd Andrejc (Cambridge).

This event is FREE and no reservation is necessary. Just come along on the day.

Friday 24th February 2017, 14:00 - 15:30

Room G.02, 19 George Square

From January 2011 - February 2016, Osama Saeed Bhutta was Head of Communications at Doha-based broadcaster Al Jazeera. In this special seminar, Osama will reflect on his time with the famous broadcaster which coincided with a period of historic unrest across the Arab world.

Glasgow-born Osama is currenty Communications Directorfor Amnesty International.

This event is FREE and no reservation is necessary. Click HERE to see the event poster.

Sunday 22nd January 2017, 14:00 - 17:00

The University of Edinburgh Chaplaincy, Bristo Square, EH8 9AL.

For the second year running, the Alwaleed Centre at the University of Edinburgh is hosting a specialFood Fair designed to celebrate the diverse culinary cultures of the Islamic world which have found a home here in Scotland. This free event will be an opportunity to explore and celebrate differences, appreciate similarities, and enjoy some delicious home-cooked food! To compliment the food, there will be live music from Samba Sene and Diwan and henna painting to enjoy. 

Do you have a favourite dish which reflects your cultural heritage? We're looking for volunteers to cook dishes and bring them along to share. We have grants available to buy all the ingredients you need. If you would like to bring a dish, please get in touch on: thealwaleedcentre@ed.ac.uk.

This event is FREE but reservation is essential. To book your FREE ticket via Eventbrite, click HERE.

Tuesday 24th January 2017, 18:00 - 20:00

The Robert Burns Room, Scottish Parliament.

The Equality and Human Rights Committee and the Alwaleed Centre for the Study of Islam in the Contemporary World at the University of Edinburgh invite to you to a special event showcasing new research on Muslim communities in Scotland.

“Muslims in Scotland: New Insights” will bring together three leading scholars to discuss their recent research and publications exploring the history, politics and demographics of Scotland’s increasingly diverse Muslim population.

The event will be chaired by Christina McKelvie MSP with contributions from:

Dr Khadijah Elshayyal (University of Edinburgh): “Scottish Muslims in Numbers: Understanding Scotland’s Muslim population through the 2011 Census”.

Dr Stefano Bonino (University of Birmingham):“Muslims in Scotland: the making of community in a post-9/11 world”.

Professor Nasar Meer (University of Strathclyde): “Scotland and plural identities”.

There will be plenty of time for questions and discussion, with the formal event followed by a non-alcoholic drinks reception with canapés.

Places are very limited. To reserve your place please contact the Alwaleed Centre on: thealwaleedcentre@ed.ac.uk.

Tuesday 29th November, 17.30-19.00

The Project Room, 50 George Square, EH8 9JU.

All are welcome to the launch of Dr Khadijah Elshayyal's much-anticipated report 'Scottish Muslims in Numbers: Understanding Scotland’s Muslims through the 2011 Census’.

This ground-breaking new research report offers a timely analysis of some of the unique demographic trends of Scotland’s increasingly diverse Muslim communities - trends which have important societal and policy implications for Scotland. We are also delighted to be welcoming Anas Sarwar MSP who will offer his reflections on the report. Attendees will receive a hard copy of the report and the event will be followed by a non-alcoholic drinks reception. Tickets are free but reservation is essential via Eventbrite. Click HERE to reserve your ticket.

For further information and to download the report, click HERE.

Sunday 20th November, 14:00 - 17:00

Annandale Street Mosque, Edinburgh, EH7 4AZ.

Join us for the latest installment of our popular series of 'Breaking Barriers' Scriptural Reasoning sessions which bring together Jews, Christians and Muslims in Scoltand to learn more about each others' beliefs and practices through shared study of scripture. In this special Interfaith Week session we ask what our scriptures have to say about the truth-claims of other religious traditions.

This event is free but registration through Eventbrite is essential. Click HERE to register.

If you have any questions contact: tom.lea@ed.ac.uk. 

Tuesday 15th November, 17.30-19.00

The University of Edinburgh Chaplaincy, Bristo Square, EH8 9AL.

As part of the Edinburgh Interfaith Week, the Chaplaincy will be delighted to welcome Mr Aaqil Ahmed who will deliver this key note lecture. Mr Ahmed is currently the Head of Religion & Ethics and Commissioning Editor of Religion at British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) and this key note lecture will explore the responsibility that the media has when it comes to covering religious matters.  It will also consider the potential impact of the media on communities.  There will be a short question and answer session with a panel following the lecture. This lecture is FREE nd no reservation is necessary. More information HERE.

Friday 21st October, 18:00 - 20:00

The Screening Room, 50 George Square, Edinburgh.

The Alwaleed Centre, in partnership with the Just Festival, LUX Prize and the European Parliament Information Office in Edinburgh, present a special screening in Edinburgh of Mediterranea, Directed by Jonas Carpignano. This Lux Prize nominated film explores the perils and struggles of refugees from Burkino Fasso who desperately decide to make dangerous journeys for a better life, only to face hostility and violence in the countries in which they settle. This screening is FREE but we do as that you register HERE.

Wednesday 12th October, 13:00 - 14:00

Seminar Room 2, Chrystal Macmillan Building, George Square, Edinburgh

During the summer of 2016, the Alwaleed Centre welcomed David Warren as its new Postdoctoral Fellow in Islamic Studies. Join us for David's first public lecture in his new role at the centre.

Lecture abstract: The enthusiasm shown by leading members of the Muslim scholarly establishment (theʿulamāʾ) for the 3 July 2013 coup in Egypt and its bloody aftermath was a source of horror for many. One of the most prominent and visible scholars supporting the coup was the former Grand Mufti, ʿAli Jumʿa. Over the course of July and August 2013 Jumʿa was a common sight on Egyptian television, and also gave speeches to the Egyptian army. It was in these interviews that he appeared to use Islamic legal concepts to legitimate the coup and the killing of anti-coup demonstrators. Consequently, the prevailing academic explanation for Jumʿa and his colleagues’ support for the counter-revolution has been to highlight historical precedents in classical Islamic political thought when the scholarly establishment similarly endorsed usurpers seizing power by force. However, in this lecture I argue against this prevailing assumption, and instead contend that Jumʿa’s support for the coup is rooted in modern nationalism and modern bureaucratic logic, rather than classical Islamic political thought. This event is free and no reservation is necessary. Just come along on the day.

See event poster

Monday 3rd October, 17:15 - 18:45

The Project Room, 50 George Square, Edinburgh

The second of Professor Jonathan Brown's Edinburgh lectures focusing on questions relating to Islamic Law. This paper forms part of the Department of Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies Research Seminar Series 2016/17. This event is not ticketed and seats will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.

Further Information

Friday 30th September 2016, 18:15 - 19:45

Lecture Theatre G.03, 50 George Square, Edinburgh

Join us for the first public lecture in Scotland by renowned scholar and Director of the Alwaleed Centre for Muslim-Christian Understanding at Georgetown University, Dr Jonathan A. C. Brown.

Dr Brown is author of the acclaimed monographs Hadith: Muhammad's Legacy in the Medieval and Modern World (2009) and Misquoting Muhammad: The Challenge and Choices of Interpreting the Prophet's Legacy (2014). His 2011 publication Muhammad: A Very Short Introduction has provided audiences throughout the English-speaking world with a highly accessible and engaging introduction to the life and legacy of the Prophet Muhammad.

In this special public lecture, Dr Brown will turn his attention to the often-discussed but very often misunderstood subject of Islamc Law (Shari'a). How intolerant is the Shari'a? Join us to find out.

Book free tickets here

Monday 29th August 2016, 17:45 - 18:45

Garden Theatre, Edinburgh International Book Festival, Charlotte Square, Edinburgh

Having fled Iran to escape the Ayatollah and Islamic fundamentalism, novelist Kader Abdolah settled in the Netherlands. From that safe distance he began enquiring into the true meanings of the Qur'an, and is now an acclaimed author. In The Messenger: A Tale Retold, he portrays the Prophet Muhammad and his followers in distinctly human ways, thus underlining Abdolah's main desire: to build bridges between east and west.

More information and tickets

Monday 22 August 2016, 15:00 - 16:00

The Stand in the Square, Edinburgh

In the name of safeguarding and security, British counter-terrorism legislation is becoming increasingly restrictive of expression that is deemed to support ‘non-violent extremism’. This restriction of expression seems counter-intuitive to some of our most cherished British liberal values. Researcher Khadijah Elshayyal asks: Can we justify the restriction of free speech and talk about promoting ‘British values’ at the same time? Is restrictive legislation the best approach to tackling the threat of radicalisation in our communities? And, come to that, when did ‘radical’ become such a dirty word? Khadijah Elshayyal is a Postdoctoral Fellow at the Alwaleed Centre, University of Edinburgh.

Part of the Caberet of Dangerous Ideas and organised by the Beltane Public Engagement Network. 

More information and tickets

Thursday 30th June 2016, 18:30 - 21:30 (FREE)

Screening Room at 50 George Square

Join us for a free screening of the beautiful film "The Dream of Shahrazad". This unique music-led film looks at recent political events in Egypt, Turkey and Lebanon through the lens of the famous story collection known as 'One Thousand and One Nights'. The screening is free and no reservation is necessary. Organised in partnership with Africa in Motion Film Festival and the Edinburgh Just Festival.

More information

Saturday 28th May 2016, 15:00 - 17:00

The Columcille Centre, Newbattle Terrace, Edinburgh

Born in 2012 through a partnership between the alwaleed Centre and the Church of Scotland, Breaking Barriers is an inter-faith initiative which aims to bring Christians, Jews and Muslims together in Edinburgh to discuss important topical issues in the light of scripture. This process is known as 'Scriptural Reasoning' and more information is available here: www.scripturalreasoning.org/ 

In this special meeting hosted by the Edinburgh Liberal Jewish Community, we will be discussing what the the Hebrew Scriptures, the New Testament and the Qur’an teach about "the haves and the have nots". We hope this will lead to some fruitful discussion about questions of equality and inequality in local, national and international contexts.

The session will begin with brief reflections from faith leaders, followed by facilitated group discussion focussed on short passages of scripture. Light refreshments will be provided.

This event is FREE but ticket. Click on the link below for more information and to book your tickets.

Info and tickets

Friday 1st April and Saturday 2nd April 2016

National Museum of Scotland and Summerhall, Edinburgh

The Alwaleed Centre is delighted to be partnering with the Edinburgh International Science Festival to offer festival-goers the chance to learn more about the Islamic contribution to the development of the astrolabe before building an astrolabe themselves.

This workshop will be available for adults on Friday 1st April as part of the Big Bang Bash at the National Museum of Scotland. It will then be offered again for children and families at the Science Festival's Space Day at Summerhall. 

Tuesday 12th April 2016, 18:00 - 19:30

Senate House, University of London

The closing plenary of this year’s Annual Conference of the British Associaiton for Islamic Studies will delivered by Ziauddin Sardar, editor of Critical Muslim and celebrated author and commentator. This event is free and but registration is necessary. Click on the link below for more information and to reserve your free ticket.

Information and tickets

Monday 11th and Tuesday 12th April 2016

Senate House, University of London

The Alwaleed Centre is the administrative hub for the British Association for Islamic Studies. The centre plays a key role in the organisation of BRAIS's Annual Conference which will be taking place on the 11th and 12th of April 2016.

For more infomration about BRAIS in general and the conference in particular, please visit the association's website: www.brais.ac.uk. 

Saturday 9th April 2016, 19:00 - 20:30

Annandale Street Mosque, Edinburgh

Alwaleed Centre Interim Director Thomas Pierret and Alwaleed Centre PhD candidate Aurangzeb Haneef will be joining a multi-faith panel to disucss some of the most pressing question in the Middle East today. This event is free and no reservation is necessary. For more information contact the alwaleed Centre: thealwaleedcentre@ed.ac.uk.

Saturday 27th February 2016, 14:00 - 18:00 - £20 (students £15)

50 George Square (Room G.06), Edinburgh, EH8 9JU

A unique half-day calligraphy workshop led by calligraphy superstar Ismail Hussayn.

Learn the principles of this celebrated art-form, as well as the Arabic alphabet, before moving on to write your own name in beautiful Arabic calligraphy.

Ismail Hussayn has made it his mission to inspire through the traditional art-form of Islamic Arabic calligraphy. He has toured the UK, performing his act live in some of Britain's biggest venues including the Emirates Stadium and Regents Park Mosque. He is the Co-Founder of 'House ofCalligraphy': www.houseofcalligraphy.co.uk.

£20 (students £15)

Click here to book your place

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Wednesday 24th February 2016, 17:30 - 19:00

19 George Square (Room G.02), Edinburgh, EH8 9LD

Muslim identities, and their interaction with nation-state governance, have become key topics in research and policy agendas across Europe. In this event marking the second edition of Citizenship, Identity and the Politics of Multiculturalism: The Rise of Muslim Consciousness, Dr Nasar Meer will argue that in order to understand the expression of Muslim identities in Britain, it is necessary to grasp the forms of ‘consciousness’ that inform and shape them. Tracing this consciousness through case studies of Muslim mobilizations in education and over discrimination legislation and media representation, as well as the local impact of global concerns, a more balanced and positive picture emerges. Nasar Meer is a Reader in Comparative Social Policy and Citizenship, and Royal Society of Edinburgh Research Fellow (2014–2019) at Strathclyde University. His publications include: Interculturalism andmulticulturalism: Debating the dividing lines (co-edited, EUP, 2016), Racialization and religion (edited, Routledge, 2014), Race and ethnicity (Sage, 2014) and European multiculturalism(s): Religious, cultural andethnic challenges (co-edited, EUP, 2012). For more information visit: www.nasarmeer.com.

Chaired by Dr Khadijah Elshayyal, Postdoctoral Research Fellow (Muslimsin Britain) at the Alwaleed Centre, University of Edinburgh, whose PhD examined the development of British Muslim identity politics from1960-2010.

This event is FREE and no reservation is necessary. Seats allocated on a first come, first served basis.

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Sunday 24th January, 15:00 - 18:00

Nicolson Square Methodist Church, Edinburgh

Scotland is home to around 78,000 Muslims, many of whom draw their heritage from the diverse cultures and traditions of the Muslim world. From Turkey to Indonesia, Muslim communities reflect local customs and traditions just as cuisine reflects local ingredients and tastes.

As part of the Year of Food & Drink Scotland, the Alwaleed Centre at the University of Edinburgh is hosting a special food fair reflecting and celebrating the different cultures of the Muslim world which have found a home here in Scotland.

‘A Taste of Scottish Islam’ will be a chance to explore and celebrate differences, appreciate similarities and enjoy some delicious food. To complement the food, there will also be music from acclaimed group Duo Hyperborea who will play traditional music from across the Islamic world.

This event is FREE but registration is essential. Click below for more information and to reserve your ticket.

Info and tickets

Monday 23rd November 2015, 18:30 - 19:30

Blackwell's Bookshop, EH1 1YS

Blackwell’s Bookshop, Palgrave Publishing, Routledge and the Alwaleed Centre invite you to celebrate two new books by eminent authorTimothy Peace.

European Social Movements and Muslim Activism uses the example of the alter-globalisation movement to explain why social movement leaders in Britain and France reacted so differently to the emergence of Muslim activism.

Muslims and Political Participation in Britain showcases the latest research into Muslim political participation both in terms of electoral politics and civil society initiatives.

Timothy Peace is a Lecturer in Comparative Politics at the University of Stirling. He completed his PhD at the European University Institute (EUI) and has previously worked at theUniversity of Edinburgh’s Alwaleed Centre for the Study of Islam in the Contemporary World and the University of Padova as a Marie Curie Fellow.

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Tuesday 3 November 2015, 17:30 - 19:00 (followed by a reception)

19 George Square, Edinburgh, EH8 9LD

Join us for the launch in Scotland of Dr Amanullah De Sondy’sacclaimed monograph, The Crisis of Islamic Masculinities,published by Bloomsbury.Dr De Sondy will speak about his work and there will also betime for questions, comments and discussion.

This event is free and no booking is necessary. Seats are limited and will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information please contact the Centre at: thealwaleedcentre@ed.ac.uk.  

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Saturday 15 August 2015, 12.15pm - 1.15pm

Charlotte Square Edinburgh

Chinese-Muslim calligrapher Haji Noor Deen is one of the greatest living masters of Islamic calligraphy. Fusing Chinese and Arabic styles to produce breathtaking masterpieces, his work is collected across the world and can be seen at the National Museum of Scotland. Today, Noor Deen renders ayahs (verses) from one of the world’s most influential books, The Qur’an, into works of beautiful calligraphy. In Arabic with English translation. Part of the Edinburgh International Book Festival.

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Further information and tickets

Saturday 15 August 2015, 12.15pm - 1.15pm

Charlotte Square Edinburgh

Chinese-Muslim calligrapher Haji Noor Deen is one of the greatest living masters of Islamic calligraphy. Fusing Chinese and Arabic styles to produce breathtaking masterpieces, his work is collected across the world and can be seen at the National Museum of Scotland. Today, Noor Deen renders ayahs (verses) from one of the world’s most influential books, The Qur’an, into works of beautiful calligraphy. In Arabic with English translation. Part of the Edinburgh International Book Festival.

Find Venue

Further information and tickets

Saturday 15 August 2015, 4.30pm -6.00pm

Edinburgh Central Mosque, Potterow

The first of two special talks by Alwaleed Centre PhD candidate Yahya Barry delivered as part of Edinburgh Central Mosque's Islam Festival. Free of charge and no reservation necessary.

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Sunday 16 August 2015, 4.30pm - 6.00pm

Edinburgh Central Mosque, Potterow

The second of two special talks by Alwaleed Centre PhD candidate Yahya Barry delivered as part of Edinburgh Central Mosque's Islam Festival. Free of charge and no reservation necessary.

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Sunday 16 August 2015, 6.30pm - 8.00pm

19 George Square, Edinburgh

Chinese-Muslim calligrapher Haji Noor Deen, one of the world's great masters of Islamic calligraphy, combines Chinese and Arabic calligraphic styles. Haji Noor Deen will render a famous ayah (verse) from the Qur'an's 'Surat al Nur' ('Chapter of Light') into beautiful Arabic calligraphy whilst reflecting on what the verse means to him as a Muslim.

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Tuesday 18 August 2015, 2.15pm - 3.15pm

Edinburgh International Book Festival, Charlotte Square

Born in Pakistan and raised in Hackney, Ziauddin Sardar is one of the most respected experts on Islam and is utterly fascinated by Mecca. Sardar has retraced its history from a barren valley in the desert to becoming arguably the most significant city in the world today. But what does the future hold for a location which contains immense meaning both to the Middle East and the West? Sponsored by the Alwaleed Centre and part of the Edinburgh International Book Festival.

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Wednesday 19 August 2015, 4.00pm - 6.00pm

Edinburgh Central Mosque

Edinburgh Central Mosque invites you to an evening with one of the greatest living calligraphy masters, Haji Noor Deen. Fusing Arabic and Chinese styles, Noor Deen’s work is collected across the world, and can even be viewed at the National Museum of Scotland. Come and hear Noor Deen discuss the principles of his art and watch as he renders Arabic script into inspiring works of calligraphy in front of your eyes. In Arabic with English translation. Part of the Edinburgh Islam Festival. Tickets available on the door.

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Tuesday 2 June 2015, 7.30pm - 9.30pm

St Andrew’s & St George’s West Church, 13 George Street

In this new series of talks, three noted speakers will explore the issues of building stronger communities from interfaith, academic, economic and practical perspectives. Hugh Goddard is Director of the Prince Alwaleed bin Talal Centre for the Study of Islam in the Contemporary World and the author of several books, including Christians and Muslims: From Double Standards to Mutual Understanding. Part of the St Andrew’s & St George’s West Summer Lecture Series.

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Tuesday 7 April 2015, 5.30pm - 7.00pm

National Museum of Scotland

While there is much in the world that can divide people, science is a common language that can unify them. This informative, invigorating and inspiring panel discussion will examine ways in which diplomatic science can build bridges between disparate communities, help resolve conflict and foster international collaboration and development. Featuring journalist Priya Shetty, who specialises in health and humanitarian issues in developing countries and Prof Yasser Khalil from SESAME, a synchrotron facility in Jordan that encourages a culture of peace through international cooperation in science. Chaired by Ewan Aitken of the Cyrenians.

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Wednesday 18 March 2015, 6.30pm - 8.00pm

19 George Square, Room G2

RICHARD W. BULLIET is Professor of Middle Eastern History at Columbia University where he also directed the Middle East Institute of the School of International and Public Affairs for twelve years. He came to Columbia in 1976 after undergraduate and graduate work at Harvard and eight years as a faculty member at Harvard and Berkeley, and he will retire from teaching in two months time. He is a specialist on Iran and the social history of the Islamic Middle East. His most recent scholarly work before a soon-to-be-published book on the history of technology entitled The Wheel: Inventions and Reinventions, was Cotton, Climate, and Camels in Early Islamic Iran: A Moment in World History (2009). His earlier books include Hunters, Herders, and Hamburgers (2005), The Case for Islamo-Christian Civilization (2004), Islam: The View from the Edge (1994), Conversion to Islam in the Medieval Period (1979), The Camel and the Wheel (1975), and The Patricians of Nishapur (1972). He has also written six novels, most recently The One-Donkey Solution (2011) and Chakra (2014). This event is free and no booking is necessary.

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Tuesday 17 March 2015, 8.30pm - 10.00pm

Danish Cultural Institute, 3 Doune Terrace, Edinburgh, EH3 6DY

A special evening talk by Professor Jorgen Nielsen (University of Copenhagen) who is recognised as one of the leading experts on Islam in Europe. This event is by invitation only. Please contact tom.lea@ed.ac.uk if you are interested in attending.

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Tuesday 6 January 2015

Pleasance Theatre, 60 The Pleasance, Edinburgh

To celebrate Islam Awareness Week 2015, the Alwaleed Centre has teamed up with the University of Edinburgh's Film Society to organise a special screening of critically-acclaimed film Wajda. Directed by Haifaa al-Mansour, Wajda was the first feature film shot entirely in Saudi Arabia and tells the story of a young girl, Wajda, who enters a Qur'an reciting competition in order to win the money necessary to buy herself a bike. This screening is FREE and will be followed by a panel discussion and Q&A. Further details to follow.

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Thursday 12 March 2015, 7.30pm - 9.00pm

Appleton Tower Lecture Theatre 5

Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies, CASAW and the Alwaleed Centre are pleased to announce that Egyptian writer, feminist and activist, Dr Nawal al-Saadawi, will be speaking on 'Patriarchy and the Rights of Women in the Arab World'. at the University of Edinburgh at 6:30pm on Thursday, 12 March in Appleton Tower, Lecture Theatre 5. This event is free but ticketed.

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Thursday 5 March 2015, 6.30pm - 8.30pm

Project Room, 50 George Square, Edinburgh, EH8 9JU

Tina Gharavi is a BAFTA-nominated filmmaker and screenwriter of Iranian heritage whose films and documentaries have examined her own experiences travelling from her adopted hometown of Newcastle to Tehran in Mother/Country (2001), recording the history of Yemeni migration to the North-Eastern English town of South Shields in Last of the Dictionary Men (2008) and documenting the lasting impact of American boxer Muhammad Ali’s extraordinary visit to the Muslim communities in South Shields for her 2008 film, The King of South Shields. Her first full length fiction film I Am Nasrine (2012) traced the arrival of two Iranian asylum seekers to Newcastle and gained Gharavi her first BAFTA nomination for Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Director or Producer. Refreshments will be available after the talk. Part of the 'Representing Muslims in Scotland and the North-East' seminar series.

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Sunday 22 February 2015

19 George Square, Edinburgh, EH8 9LD

Another chance for young Christians and Muslims to get together in a respectful and supportive environment to discuss scripture and belief. Organised in partnership with the Edinburgh Inter-Faith Association. Please contact Tom Lea if you are interested in finding out more: tom.lea@ed.ac.uk.

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Tuesday 17 February 2015, 6.30pm - 8.30pm

Project Room, 50 George Square, Edinburgh, EH8 9JU

Glasgow-based Iyad Hayatleh is a Palestinian poet and translator who moved to Scotland from Syria in 2000. His first collection of poems, Beyond All Measure, was published in 2007 and since then he has collaborated with the Scottish poet Tessa Ranford on a two-way translation project for a book, Rug of a Thousand Colours, with poems inspired by the Five Pillars of Islam. Refreshments will be available after the talk. Part of the 'Representing Muslims in Scotland and the North-East' seminar series.

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Saturday 7 February 2015, 4.00pm - 5.00pm

National Museum of Scotland Auditorium

This special panel discussion will provide an opportunity to hear about the sources of inspiration behind some of the beautiful pieces featured in the Iranian Festival Fashion Show. In addition, academics working on different aspects of Iranian culture will discuss the concept of fashion in contemporary Iranian society, including the influence of pre-Islamic and Islamic culture on dress making in Iran. There will also be plenty of time for questions from the audience. Panelists include: Dr Lloyd Llewellyn-Jones (School of History, Classics & Archaeology, University of Edinburgh, Dr Nacim Pak-Shiraz (Islamic & Middle Eastern Studies, University of Edinburgh), Dr Gillian Vogelsang-Eastwood (Director of the Textile Research Centre in Leiden) and Dr Friederike Voigt (Senior Curator from National Museums Scotland). Admission is FREE.

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Tuesday 3 February 2015, 6.30pm - 8.30pm

Project Room, 50 George Square, Edinburgh, EH8 9JU

Born and raised in Sudan, Leila Aboulela is an award-winning writer who now lives in Aberdeen from where she has penned three renowned novels, The Translator (1999), Minaret (2005) and Lyrics Alley (2011), as well as a collection of short stories, Coloured Lights (2001), and a BBC Radio 4 commissioned play, The Insider (2013). Much of this output has examined the ways that religious faith, gender and class are ‘translated’ between cultures in trademark elegant and understated prose. Leila has said of her work: ‘I want to show the psychology, the state of mind and the emotions of a person who has faith. I am interested in going deep, not just looking at ‘Muslim’ as a cultural or political identity but something close to the centre, something that transcends but doesn’t deny gender, nationality, class and race.’ Refreshments will be available after the talk. Part of the 'Representing Muslims in Scotland and the North-East' seminar series.

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Tuesday 20 January 2015, 8.15pm - 9.45pm

Project Room, 50 George Square, Edinburgh, EH8 9JU

Claire Chambers is a lecturer at the University of York and an expert in contemporary South Asian literature written in English and in literary representations of British Muslims. Her book British Muslim Fictions: Interviews with Contemporary Writers was published in 2011. This year Claire published, with Caroline Herbert, Imagining Muslims in South Asia and the Diaspora: Secularism, Religion, Representations. She is currently completing her second book, Representations of Muslims in Britain, a monograph tracing the development of artistic depictions of UK-based Muslims from the eighteenth century to the present day. This lecture is in conjunction with the English Literature Department, who are kindly providing wine after the talk. Part of the 'Representing Muslims in Scotland and the North-East' seminar series.

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Friday 5 December 2014, 8.15pm - 10.15pm

Annandale Street Mosque, Edinburgh

In this Christian-Muslim interfaith event, three speakers will share their thoughts on the role of religion in peace and conflict. Featuring Aurangzeb Haneef (MTS, Harvard and PhD candidate in Islamic & Middle Eastern Studies, The Alwaleed Centre, University of Edinburgh) who will speak on “Islam and Peacebuilding in the Modern World”. Also featuring Ms. A. Andreangeli (Pax Christi-Roman Catholic) : “Role of the Vatican in Peace-Making in the Middle East” and Rev. Brian Cooper (UfP Churches & Inter-Faith Secretary): “World Peace - Can Faiths Make a Positive Contribution?”. This event is free of charge and will be followed by a reception.

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Friday 21 November 2014, 4.00pm - 6.00pm

Room G2, 19 George Square, EH8 9LD

A special seminar delivered by renowned Moroccan scholar Professor Mohamed Tozy exploring the more emotional elements of the jihadist movement. Chaired and translated by Dr Thomas Pierret, Lecturer in Contemporary Islam at the University of Edinburgh. Prof Tozy is the director of the School of Governance and Economy (EGE) at Université Mohammed VI in Rabat. Morocco's most renowned political scientist, Tozy was a member of the Consultative Committee on Constitutional Reform in 2011. His numerous publications on Islamism include the seminal Monarchy and Political Islam in Morocco (1999, in French).

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Thursday 27 November 2014, 7.00pm - 9.00pm

Edinburgh College of Art, Lauriston Place

Venetia Porter is Curator of Islamic and Modern Middle East Art at the British Museum. She curated the British Museum exhibitions ‘Word into Art: Artists of the Modern Middle East’ (2006) and ‘Hajj: Journey to the heart of Islam’ (2012). In this lecture, Venetia will explore the process by which contemporary art from the Middle East is both acquired and displayed at the British Museum. This event is FREE but ticketed. Click on the link below to book your FREE ticket.

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Wednesday 19 November 2014, 2.00pm - 3.00pm

Seminar Room 1, Chrystal Macmillan Building, 15a George Square, EH8 9LD

The formalised representation of Britain’s Muslims to the government and other official channels reached a landmark in the late 1990s, with the establishment and public recognition of the Muslim Council of Britain. Since then, the questions of whether there is a need for such representation of Muslims, who should do it, how, and to what end, have been constant topics of debate. This seminar will look at how British Muslim representation has fared over the past two decades, and provide some perspectives on these debates, taking into account important factors such as the impact of securitisation in the wake of international and domestic events, multiculturalism policy, and developments within British Muslim communities themselves. Dr Khadijah Elshayyal joined the Alwaleed Centre in October 2014 as the centre's Postdoctoral Fellow on Muslims in Britain.

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Friday 14 November 2014, 7.00pm - 9.00pm

King Khalid Building (Hill Square), Royal College of Surgeons

Professor Charles Burnett of the Warburg Institute, University of London, is one of the world's leading scholars working on the history of science in the Islamic World. In this special lecture, delivered in the stunning surroundings of the Royal College of Surgeons' King Khalid Building, Prof Burnett will explore what happens when a scientific or philosophical work is translated from one religious culture to another, specifically from pagan Greek to Islamic Arabic and from Islamic Arabic to Christian Latin. This event is FREE but ticketed. Click on the link below to book your FREE ticket.

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Friday 24 October 2014, 6.00pm - 9.00pm

National Gallery of Scotland, the Mound, Edinburgh

The Jami‘ al-Tawarikh (“World History” or “Compendium of Chronicles”) of Rashid al-Din is one of the great masterpieces of medieval Islamic manuscripts. The 1314 Arabic copy of the Jami‘ al-Tawarikh currently featuring in a unique exhibition at the University of Edinburgh's main Library represents a history of the world as it was then known and offers a fascinating insight into the multi-cultural, multi-religious society of the Islamic Iranian world under the Mongols. This special event brings together the world's two leading experts on Rashid al-Din's World History, Professor Sheila Blair and Professor Robert Hillenbrand. Tickets will be available from the middle of September 2014. Follow the link for more information.

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Tuesday 21 October 2014, 1.00pm - 2.00pm

University of Edinburgh Chaplaincy, 5 Bristo Square

A discussion between Prof. Miroslav Volf (Yale Divinity School) and Prof. Mona Siddiqui (University of Edinburgh) on their books 'Allah: a Christian response', and 'Christians, Muslims, and Jesus’. There can hardly be a more fundamental question for Christians and Muslims than whether or not they believe in the same God. And what about Jesus: both Christians and Muslims have a profound respect for Jesus, but they appear to have radically different views of his status. Over the centuries there has been much antagonism and polemic about these questions, but in recent decades a much more positive dialogue has begun about them, and in this session two of the major contributors to this dialogue discuss their recent publications devoted to these topics. Chaired by Prof Hugh Goddard, the Alwaleed Centre, University of Edinburgh. This event is FREE and no reservation is necessary; just come along on the day!

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Sunday 24 August 2014, 2.00pm - 3.00pm

19 George Square, EH8 9LD

A reading in English and Arabic by poets Tessa Ransford and Iyad Hayatleh from their collaborative project 'Rug of a Thousand Colours' - inspired by the Five Pillars of Islam. As each poet translates the other, unpredictable but revealing symmetries emerge. Part of the Just Festival and organised by the Alwaleed Centre. This event is FREE but ticketed.

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Saturday 23 August 2014, 2.00pm - 3.00pm

19 George Square, EH8 9LD

A visual journey into the world of Islamic calligraphy and spirituality, focussing on the contemporary Turkish calligraphic tradition in Istanbul. Led by Francesco Stermotich-Cappellari, PhD researcher at the Alwaleed Centre, University of Edinburgh. Turkish tea and baklava will be provided. Part of the Just Festival Edinburgh and organised by the Alwaleed Centre. This event is FREE but ticketed.

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Friday 22 August 2014, 6.00pm - 7.30pm

St John's Church, Princes Street

Prayer is considered by some to be the art of communicating with God. Can the arts convey religious messages and allow for building dialogue between God and ourselves? Scotland-based religious artists and experts will share their spiritual experiences of speaking and listening to God through art, icons and calligraphy. Featuring Alwaleed Centre PhD student Francesco Stermotich-Cappellari.

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Wednesday 20 August 2014, 6.00pm - 7.30pm

Just Festival, the Hall at St John's Church, Princes Street

We explore the Church of Scotland’s report ‘One Scotland, Many Cultures’ and the ‘Cultural Heritage Project’ addressing first-generation immigrants to Scotland. We ask our panel members to consider how migration, hospitality and celebrating difference require a continued willingness, from host and immigrant communities, to be counter-cultural and embrace the possibility of transformation. Chaired by Professor Alison Phipps, Glasgow University, and featuring Doris Pesche (General Secretary, CCME), Omar Sheikh (The Colourful Heritage Project, Alwaleed Centre) and Sally Foster-Fulton (Church and Society Council Intercultural Studies, Creativity Culture and Faith). Part of the Just Festival Edinburgh, organised in partnership with the Church of Scotland and the Alwaleed Centre. LIMITED NUMBER OF FREE TICKETS AVAILABLE FOR THIS EVENT. Contact tom.lea@ed.ac.uk to request your free ticket by midday on Wednesday 20th August.

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Friday 15 August 2014, 4.00pm - 5.00pm

Edinburgh International Book Festival, St Andrew's Square, Edinburgh

Baghdad may be one of the most strife-filled cities on the planet, but this was not always the case. The Iraqi capital is now known for sectarianism and misrule, but it was once one of the greatest cities on earth. An authoritative commentator on the Muslim world and author of Baghdad: City of Peace, City of Blood, Justin Marozzi interrogates how it slid into violence. Chaired by James Mayhew. Part of the Edinburgh International Book Festival and sponsored by the Alwaleed Centre.

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Thursday 14 August 2014, 4.00pm - 5.00pm

Edinburgh International Book Festival, St Andrew's Square, Edinburgh

Come and discover the mysterious tales of the Arabian Nights, stories originally compiled in Arabic during the time of the Islamic Golden Age. Our Illustrator in Residence, James Mayhew, takes you on an unforgettable journey as he recounts some of the 1001 tales, drawing as he goes to the evocative sound of Scheherazade by Rimsky-Korsakov. A children and families event at the Edinburgh International Book Festival, sponsored by the Alwaleed Centre.

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Wednesday 30 April 2014, 5.30pm - 7.00pm

19 George Square, Edinburgh

To position Jewish and Christian texts and theQur'an in a shared framework - 'Late Antiquity' -on first sight seems provocative. Late Antiquity,however, is not to be taken to denote a historicalperiod, but rather a space of debate, wherepagans, syncretists, Jews and Christians wereapproaching the diverse 'antiquities' - paganphilosophical as well as Biblical traditions - bymeans of innovative exegetical re-readings. Already 'acknowledged texts' were reconsidered under fresh theological premises, by drawing on rhetorical devices current in Hellenistic culture, andby over-writing existing 'established exegesis' (Halakhic and Aggadic traditions of Judaism as well as the writings of the early Church fathers). Viewed as such the Qur'an emerged as a response to the debates prevalent of Late Antiquity,finally claiming its own place in the midst of the already existing Jewish and Christian traditions.Angelika Neuwirth is Senior-Professor of Arabic Studies at the Freie Universität Berlin and director of the Corpus Coranicum research project at theBerlin-Brandenburg Academy of Sciences and Humanities.

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Saturday 19 April 2014, 8.00pm - 9.30pm

National Museum of Scotland

How do different cosmologies affect the way we treat the environment? Chair Dr Jeremy Kidwell of The University of Edinburgh leads speakers Dr Fazlun Khalid of the Islamic Foundation for Ecology and Environmental Studies and Dr Mark Harris of the School of Divinity at The University of Edinburgh in discussion with other guests as they examine how the cosmologies of the world’s religions affect human behaviour, and what this means for evidence-based science. Then have your say as he opens the discussion up to the floor and asks what you think, believe and feel. Presented by Eco-Congregation Scotland with support from the Alwaleed Centre. This event is teicketed. Book your ticket via the link below.

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Thursday 10 April 2014, 6.00pm - 7.30pm

John McIntyre Conference Centre, University of Edinburgh

Special lecture delivered by Aaqil Ahmed, Head of Religion and Ethics at the BBC. In an age where some say Religion is the root of all evil and others the answer to everything - how does Religion in the broadcast media play into this? Everyone seems to have an opinion on Muslims and Islam but the lack of Religious literacy means the public have very little knowledge of the faith. Has TV a duty to ease social cohesion or expose the issues at the core of what is often referred to as a clash of civilisations?Professor Aaqil Ahmed has had over a decade at Channel 4 and the BBC deciding what people watch when it comes to Religion on the box including the acclaimed series 'The Life of Muhammad' (2011), and 'The Ottomans: Europe's Muslim Emperors' (2013), and will set out why he feels religion on TV is more important today than it ever has been.Part of the Inaugural Conference of the British Association for Islamic Studies which will be taking place on Thursday 10th and Friday 11th April at the University of Edinburgh. Hosted by the Alwaleed Centre.This event is free but ticketed. To book you free ticket, click the link below.

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Thursday 10 April 2014, 9.30am - Friday 11 April 2014, 6.00pm

John McIntyre Conference Centre, Edinburgh

The Alwaleed Centre is proud to be hosting the Inaugural Conference of the British Association for Islamic Studies. 'Showcasing Islamic Studies in the UK' will involve more than 110 papers on a wide variety of subjects, with more than 150 people taking part from all over the world. Click the link for more information including how to register.

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Saturday 29 March 2014, 11.00am

Saturday 29 March 2014, 2.00pm

19 George Square, Edinburgh

The latest instalment of this extremely successful initiative jointly run by the Alwaleed Centre and the Edinburgh Inter-Faith Association. Breaking Barriers brings together young Christians and Muslims from across Scotland to engage with each others' faiths through a joint study of scripture. This session will explore repentance and forgiveness in the Bible and the Qur'an. To take part, please contact Tom Lea at the Alwaleed Centre: tom.lea@ed.ac.uk.

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Sunday 23 March 2014, 7.30pm - 10.00pm

Pleasance Theatre

A special screening of Mira Nair's 2013 film to mark Islam Awareness Week 2014. Followed by a discussion with Shaykh Ruzwan Mohammed (iSyllabus), Dr Nacim Pak-Shiraz (Lecturer in Persian and Film Studies, University of Edinburgh) Dr Thomas Pierret (Lecturer in Contemporary Islam, University of Edinburgh) and Professor Hugh Goddard (Alwaleed Centre, University of Edinburgh). Organised in partnership with the University of Edinburgh Film Society. This event is free but ticketed. To book your free ticket click on the link below.

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Thursday 20 March 2014, 2.00pm - 3.00pm

19 George Square (Room G2)

This lunchtime seminar is a rare opportunity to hear from one of America's foremost experts on the Middle East and North Africa. Deputy Chief of Mission of the U.S. Embassy to the United Kingdom Elizabeth Dibble will provide an overview of U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East before opening the floor for questions and comments. Prior to arriving in London in 2013, Minister Dibble was Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs, the second most senior U.S. diplomat managing U.S. relations with the countries of the Middle East and North Africa. She has also served at the U.S. embassies in Damascus, Tunis, and Islamabad. East and North Africa. Free of charge. No booking necessary.

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Wednesday 19 March 2014, 7.00pm - 8.30pm

David Hume Tower, Faculty Room South

A special lecture by visiting scholar Professor Oddbjorn Leirvik, University of Oslo. Organised in partnership with the Northern Scholars Scheme and followed by a drinks reception.

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Saturday 22 February 2014, 11.30am - 6.00pm

19 George Square, Edinburgh

Jawdat Khadim Kaiby taught Arabic calligraphy in Iraq for thirteen years at the Basra Fine Art Institute and was head of his department for four years. He also served for three years as head of the Basra Arabic Calligraphy Society. Jawdat moved to Scotland in 2008 and has led calligraphy workshops at the University of Glasgow's Hunterian Museum and the prestigious Burrell Collection. In this day-long workshop, Jawdat will introduce students to the fundamentals of Islamic Calligraphy. Students will then have the opportunity to try their hand at this traditional and celebrated art of the Islamic World. All materials will be provided and you don't need any previous experience of calligraphy to take part. Lunch at the famous Original Mosque Kitchen is included in the £20 ticket price.

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Wednesday 5 February 2014, 7.00pm - 8.30pm

University of Edinburgh Chaplaincy, 1 Bristo Square

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. This event will provide an opportunity to 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. Followed by a drinks reception.

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Wednesday 22 January 2014, 7.00pm - 8.00pm

David Hume Tower, Faculty Room South

A special talk delivered by Professor Jonathan Spencer, Department of Social Anthropology, University of Edinburgh concerning Sri Lanka's significant Muslim population. Organised in partnership with the Centre for South Asian Studies and followed by a reception.

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Wednesday 11 December 2013, 8.00pm - 9.30pm

Martin Hall, New College, Mound Place.

A special lecture by Shaykh Ibrahim Mogra, Imam, Scholar of Muslim theology 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.

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Wednesday 4 December 2013, 7.00pm - 8.30pm

The Playfair Library, Old College, University of Edinburgh

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. Delivered by Professor Alastair Hamilton (the Warburg Institute, London) in the spectacular surroundings of the University of Edinburgh's Playfair Library. Followed by a reception.

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Monday 2 December 2013, 6.30pm - 8.00pm

Chrystal Macmillan Building, George Square, Seminar Room 3

With much written about Muslim experiences in England and Wales, Dr Rahielah Ali (University of Newcastle) wanted to explore the experiences of Muslim women living north of the border. Here Dr Ali reflects on her doctoral research findings.

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Saturday 30 November 2013, 11.00am - 5.30pm

19 George Square, Edinburgh.

Founded in 2011, Breaking Barriers brings together Christians and Muslims in Scotland aged between 17 and 30 to discuss scripture and learn more about each other’s beliefs and traditions.Join us for this special day-long conference reflecting on Biblical and Qur’anic teaching on stewardship and humanity’s relationship with the environment. With a special introduction to the history of Christian/Muslim relations by Professor Hugh Goddard, University of Edinburgh. In partnership with the Edinburgh Inter-Faith Association and part of Scottish Inter-Faith Week.

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Wednesday 27 November 2013, 7.00pm - 9.00pm

Appleton Tower, Lecture Theatre 1

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.

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Friday 22 November 2013, 6.30pm - 8.00pm

19 George Square, Edinburgh, Room G2

Delivered by Dr Olivier Esteves, Université-Lille-3 and followed by a reception.

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Thursday 21 November 2013, 1.30pm - 3.00pm

19 George Square, Room G2

With Contributions from Amy Wilson (Head of Census Statistics, National Records of Scotland), Dr Michael Rosie (Senior Lecturer in Sociology and Director of the Institute of Governance, University of Edinburgh), Professor Paul Weller (University of Derby) and Professor Hugh Goddard (Alwaleed Centre, University of Edinburgh).

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Thursday 14 November 2013, 7.30pm - 9.00pm

Scottish Poetry Library, Edinburgh

A special lecture by Dr Dominic Brookshaw (University of Oxford) hosted in the atmospheric surroundings of the Scottish Poetry Library. Followed by a reception.

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Tuesday 29 October 2013, 8.00pm - 9.30pm

St Cecelia's Hall Museum of Instruments, Edinburgh

Join us for a unique 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 presentations by experts from the University of Edinburgh's Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies Department. Followed by a reception.

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Monday 21 October 2013, 6.30pm - 8.00pm

Chrystal Macmillan Building, Seminar Rooms 1&2

The launch in Scotland of a new report produced by the Alwaleed Centre at the University of Cambridge exploring female conversion to Islam in the UK. Featuring Project Leader Professor Yasir Suleiman, Laura Winterton (University of Edinburgh) and members of the project’s focus groups. Followed by a reception.

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Read Narratives of Conversion report

Friday 4 October 2013, 6.00pm - 7.30pm

Royal Botanic Gardens Edinburgh

Delivered by Professor Attilio Petruccioli (University of Qatar) this lecture will examine 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 Ceivilisation Lecture Series 2013. Followed by a reception.

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Monday 23 September 2013, 5.30pm - 7.00pm

19 George Square, Edinburgh, Room G2

The Alwaleed Centre is delighted to be welcoming distinguished scholar Professor Humayun Ansari to Edinburgh to deliver a paper exploring contemporary issues of the monthly journal "Islamic Review" (published by the Woking Muslim Mission from 1913 to 1968), with a particular focus on the the challenges of being Muslim in Britain during the Great War. The conflict raised complex questions with regard to the Muslim relationship with the British state, both in the wider Empire and closer to home. What the Islamic Review, published from the heart of Islam's institutional presence in Britain (Woking), highlighted was the ambiguities in Muslim responses. Diversity, underpinned by religious and political concerns, proved the hallmark of not just how Muslims interacted with the war effort, but also how the public in British society and its institutions engaged with them in return

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Tuesday 10 September 2013, 1.00pm - 2.30pm

19 George Square, Edinburgh

A seminar led by Professor Paul Weller (Education, Health and Sciences faculty, University of Derby). Prof Weller is adviser to the census planning group in London and will be joined for this special seminar by Amy Wilson, Head of Census Statistics in Scotland. The event is free to attend and no reservation is necessary.

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Monday 9 September 201

St Cecilia's Hall

Introduced by Prof Zenon Bankowski (University of Edinburgh) and including a roundtable discussion chaired by Prof Hugh Goddard (Director, Alwaleed Centre). Featuring contributions from Prof Christian Joppke (University of Bern), Dr Nasar Meer (Northumbria University) and Prof Paul Weller (University of Derby).

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Saturday 24 August 2013, 10.30am - 5.30pm

University of Edinburgh, 19 George Square

Jawdat Khadim Kaiby taught Arabic calligraphy in Iraq for thirteen years at the Basra Fine Art Institute and was head of his department for four years. He also served for three years as head of the Basra Arabic Calligraphy Society. Jawdat moved to Scotland in 2008 and has led calligraphy workshops at the University of Glasgow's Hunterian Museum and the prestigious Burrell Collection. In this day-long workshop, delivered in partnership with the just festival, Jawdat will introduce students to three different calligraphic styles. Students will then have the opportunity to try their hand at this traditional and celebrated art of the Islamic World. All materials will be provided and you don't need any previous experience of calligraphy. Lunch at the famous Original Mosque Kitchen is included in the £25 ticket price.

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Tuesday 20 August 2013, 7.00pm - 8.15pm

Quaker Meeting House, Edinburgh

A common and widespread perception of Islam is that it is a warlike and aggressive religion, as seen in its concept of Jihad. All that this word literally means, however, is 'struggle', so it is a concept which is by no means foreign to other religious traditions, or indeed to the Bible. This talk will therefore examine Islamic interpretations of the concept of Jihad as they have evolved over the course of the centuries, and also examine alternative Islamic traditions of peace-building as they have developed in the modern era. Delivered by Professor Hugh Goddard, Director of the Alwaleed Centre. Part of the Just Festival 2013.

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Tuesday 30 July 2013

St John's Church Hall, Princes Street, Edinburgh

By welcoming Muslims to share their Christian place of worship, the Aberdeen Church of St John the Evangelist set a precedent in the UK. In the critical times for both Muslims and Christians, what can be done to improve Christian-Muslim encounters in Scotland? What doors must be opened to address sectarianism and prejudice? With the Revd Canon Dr Isaac M Poobalan (St John's Episcopal Church Aberdeen) and Dr Emad Jodeh (University of Aberdeen) and chaired by Rev Harriet Harris (University of Edinburgh Chaplain). Part of the Just Festival 2013.

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Monday 19 August 2013, 2.00pm - 3.00pm

Charlotte Square (Edinburgh International Book Festival)

Much has been written and reported about the ‘clash of civilisations’ that has ruptured relations between Islam and the West. John Tolan, history professor at the Université de Nantes is one of many academics refuting this simplistic notion. In Europe and the Islamic World, Tolan and others chart 15 centuries of history to offer up a more balanced view of this complex state of affairs. Chaired by Ruth Wishart. Supported by the Alwaleed Centre and part of the Edinburgh International Book Festival.

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Monday 12 August 2013, 6.00pm - 7.30pm

St John's Church Hall, Princes Street

With the modern culture of scepticism and constant searching for controversy and story-making, are the media portraying the real image of religions? What approaches should be adopted in order to present an unbiased image of faith communities? How can the media shape both perceptions and the way in which religions are practised? With Professor Jolyon Mitchell (University of Edinburgh), Ephraim Borowski (Scottish Council of Jewish Communities) and Michael Brady Munnik (Alwaleed Centre, University of Edinburgh). Chaired by Seonag Mackinnon (Church of Scotland). Part of the just Festival 2013.

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Saturday 29 June 2013, 10.30am - Sunday 30 June 2013, 3.30pm

19 George Square, Edinburgh

A unique two-day conference for young Christians and Muslims in Scotland organised by the Edinburgh Alwaleed Centre in partnership with the Edinburgh Inter-Faith Association. Delegates will explore scripture, doctrine and history in a safe and respectful atmosphere. Hosted at the University of Edinburgh with accommodation available. Follow the link below for more information and to book you place.

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Monday 13 May 2013, 2.00pm - 5.30pm

Room G 21 Patersons Land, Moray House School of Education

A special event discussing the findings of a research project funded by the Alwaleed Centre at the University of Edinburgh. The research was conducted by researchers in the Centre for Research in Education Inclusion and Diversity, University of Edinburgh and ran from January 2010 to April 2013.

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Tuesday 30 April 2013, 1.00pm - 2.00pm

19 George Sqare, Room G2

A very special lunchtime seminar delivered by one of the leading political scientists working today. Not to be missed.

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Wednesday 17 April 2013, 5.30pm - 7.00pm

19 George Square, Room G2

A lecture by Dr Emin Poljarevic, Postdoctoral Researcher, Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies (University of Edinburgh). Organised by the Centre for the Advanced Study of the Arab World.

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Wednesday 27 March 2013, 7.00pm - 9.00pm

Pollokshields Burgh Hall, 70 Glencairn Dr, Glasgow G41 4LL

Dr Leda Blackwood, University of St Andrews, will present research she conducted with Muslims in Scotland, examining their experiences with the police and other authorities. The research highlighted concerns around counter-terrorism interventions and airports more specifically.Take this opportunity to meet Dr Blackwood and her colleague Dr Nick Hopkins, comment on their research findings and discuss ways forward for representing community concerns. The presentation will be followed by a workshop on Muslim voice, and the promise and pitfalls of Muslim participation in consultations and partnerships. Click on the "more information" link for further details and to book your place.

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Tuesday 19 March 2013, 3.00pm - 5.00pm

19 George Square (Room G2)

Fr. Nabil Haddad of the Jordanian Interfaith Coexistence Research Centre reflect on the contemporary experiences of Middle-Eastern Christians. UNFORTUNATELY FR HADDAD CANNOT JOIN US FOR THIS LECTURE. WE APOLOGISE TO THOSE WHO WERE LOOKING FORWARD TO ATTENDING.  

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Sunday 17 March 2013, 7.30pm - 10.00pm

Pleasance Theatre, 60 The Pleasance, Edinburgh

A very special screening of Ken Loach's critically acclaimed 2004 film which tells the story of a romance between a Scottish Pakistani boy and an Irish girl in Glasgow. The screening will be followed by a Q&A with the film's star, Atta Yaqub. This screening is free but you MUST RESERVE YOUR SEAT. To reserve your seat email: filmsoc@ed.ac.uk.

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Tuesday 12 March 2013, 5.10pm - 6.30pm

Room 1.07, New College, the Mound

A special seminar delivered by Dr Stephen Goodwin (Istanbul).

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Friday 8 March 2013, 5.00pm- 6.30pm

Lorimer Room, Old College, South Bridge

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