Lot of interesting events taking place during this year's Edinburgh Festival.
Edinburgh Central Mosque will once again be opening their doors to the world. They're probably the most forward looking mosque in the country, and it's borne out by the statistic of 20,000 non-Muslim people visiting them during last year's festival - see www.IslamFestival.com
The Festival of Spirituality and Peace have also got a very decent lineup.
Some highlights:
ISLAM & THE WEST: CAN OUR VALUES COEXIST?
Monday 7 August, 6pm – 9pm at Edinburgh Central Mosque (venue 48) Four renowned speakers from North America expound an alternative to the "Clash of Civilisations" doctrine, including an approach to understanding Islam and Muslims. With Jamal Badawi, Shabir Ally, Abdullah Hakim Quick and Yusuf Estes.
BLESSED ARE THE PEACEMAKERS?
Saturday 12 August, 12.30pm – 1.30pm at St John’s (venue 127) When identities and civilisations clash, how can we re-assert our shared human identity and need for compassion? With Norman Kember, Christian peacemaker recently held hostage in Iraq; and Anas Altikriti, one of the Muslim Association of Britain delegation who went to Iraq to negotiate the release of the hostages.
FROM FREEDOM TO CAPTIVITY - AND BACK
Monday 14 August, 6pm – 7pm at St John’s (venue 127) Released from Guantanamo Bay in 2005, Moazzam Begg tells us about the need to move from inner captivity and hatred to spiritual freedom and respect for one another.
RELIGION AND SEX
Wednesday 16 August, 2.15pm – 3.15pm at St John’s (venue 127) Why do religious and other institutions have such a problem with sexual identity and what can enable change? With Momin Rahman, sociologist and researcher in democracy and sexuality, Sohaib Saeed from Edinburgh Central Mosque and Rabbi David Rose; facilitated by Duncan MacLaren, sociologist and priest .
AXES OF GOOD AND EVIL
Saturday 26 August, 10.45am – 11.45am at St John’s (venue 127) In a world of polarising politics and sensational media, how can we hold on to what we have, or have had, in common? With Rageh Omaar, writer and broadcaster for Al Jazeera and author of Only Half of Me – being a Muslim in Britain and Michel Cousins, leader writer for Arab News, the Middle East's leading English language daily newspaper.
ISLAMIC BOOK FAIR
Friday 4 August, 2pm – 6pm and Saturday 5 August, 12noon – 6pm at Edinburgh Central Mosque (venue 48) Books on a wide variety of subjects related to Islam and Muslims will be on sale, brought by UK-based booksellers including the Islamic Foundation.
A very good thing. This proves Islam and non-Muslims can and will get along together.
Let us all join and help spread peace.
Posted by: Muslim Unity | 16 July 2006 at 11:30 PM
Goodwork, mate. Goodwork deserved a pad at the back.
Posted by: Osama Bin Lalluh | 17 July 2006 at 11:53 AM