Centre for the Study of Islam in the Contemporary World
Centre for the Study of Islam in the Contemporary World
HRH Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal
Contact us

Schools Outreach

The Alwaleed Centre offers free workshops, lectures and training programmes for High School students and staff across Scotland.

Pupils from Edinburgh Academy learn more about the global Muslim world at the University of Edinburgh

For Pupils

Our aim is to encourage a better understand of Islam and Islamic culture through interactive and engaging workshops, lectures and seminars led by experts based within the University of Edinburgh alongside local Muslim students and volunteers.

Our sessions can be tailored to suit the particular needs of each individual school, and every effort is made to ensure sessions speak to the Curriculum for Excellence. We can offer sessions focused on:

  • Islamic belief and practice
  • Exploring the Qur'an and Hadith
  • Contemporary debates about Islam
  • Islamic perspectives on moral issues
  • Introductory Arabic classes

These sessions can be delivered to students from S1 through to S6.

Sessions can be delivered at your school, no matter where in Scotland you are. Equally, if you would like to offer your pupils a taste of what studying at a university is like, you can arrange to visit to us here at the University of Edinburgh. 

For Teachers

Alongside our programme for students, we also offer Continuing Professional Development (CPD) session for High School staff. CPD sessions can be tailored your own school's needs and can explore the following:

  • Considering the needs of Muslim pupils and parents
  • General introdction to Islamic belief, practice and demograpahics
  • Specific training concerning the needs and experiences of Syrian students and families
  • Challenging anti-Muslim attitudes and Islamophobia at your school

Meet the Team

The Alwaleed Centre's school outreach programme is led by the Centre's Outreach and Projects Coordinator, Nadin Akta, and the Centre's General Manager, Tom Lea. Nadin and Tom work closely with colleagues from across the University of Edinburgh along with Muslim students and volunteers from a variety of cultural backgrounds to create stimulating school visits that challenge students and staff to think more critically about Islam locally, nationally and internationally.

Nadin Akta, Outreach and Projects Coordinator

Nadin Akta and Tom Lea
Nadin Akta & Tom Lea manage the Alwaleed Centre's Schools Outreach Programme

Nadin moved to Scotland from Syria in 2008. Her interests in communication and cooperation across cultures led to her graduating with a Masters in Intercultural Business Communication and TESOL from Edinburgh Napier University in 2014. In her role as Outreach and Projects Coordinator at the Alwaleed Centre, Nadin works closely with key partners in local and national government, education and the wider public sector to help improve public understanding of Islam and challenge stereotypes and misconceptions about Islam and Muslims.

Tom Lea, General Manager

Tom is a graduate of the University of Edinburgh, holding both an MA in Religious Studies and an MSc in Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies. He is a member of the BBC's Scottish Religious Advisory Committee, the Scottish Joint Committee for Religious and Moral Education and is Chair of the Edinburgh Just Festival Board of Directors. He also manages the British Association for Islamic Studies - the UK's only learned society and professional organisation focused on enhancing research and teaching about Islam and Muslim cultures and societies in UK higher education.

Arrange Your Visit

If you would like to arrange a visit for pupils or staff, please provide us with a few key details by clicking HERE.

Alternatively, you can contact us directly on: thealwaleedcentre@ed.ac.uk or 0131 650 4165.

 

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