The Islamic Foundation
Encyclopedia
The Islamic Foundation, established in 1973 in the city of Leicester
, is a centre for education, training, research and publication of issues related to Islam
. The Foundation seeks to build bridges between Muslims and others.
The organisation was founded by Khurshid Ahmad, a senior figure in Jamaat-i-Islami
.
The Islamic Foundation's website states:
"Islam doesn’t need liberalising. Continuous renewal is central to Islamic jurisprudence. Those who say that Islam should reform itself have misunderstood it," says Mohammad Siddique Seddon who is a Research Fellow at the Islamic Foundation. "Muslims are often asked why their faith does not get modern or undergo liberalisation. Such a question shows a misunderstanding of Islam and its relationship to modernity
. As a phenomenon essentially of the Christian world, modernity has not affected the Muslim world
to the same extent. The impact of the Enlightenment in Europe culminated in a separation between faith and reason. Secularisation publicly elevated the profane and relegated religion to the realm of the private."
The Islamic Foundation runs and operates the The New Muslim Project. under White British convert, Batool Al-Toma
.
The Islamic Foundation is an affiliate of the Muslim Council of Britain
(MCB).
.
In the book, The Islamist
, by Ed Husain
, the Islamic Foundation is described as an Islamist organisation with extremist ties.
Leicester
Leicester is a city and unitary authority in the East Midlands of England, and the county town of Leicestershire. The city lies on the River Soar and at the edge of the National Forest...
, is a centre for education, training, research and publication of issues related to Islam
Islam
Islam . The most common are and . : Arabic pronunciation varies regionally. The first vowel ranges from ~~. The second vowel ranges from ~~~...
. The Foundation seeks to build bridges between Muslims and others.
The organisation was founded by Khurshid Ahmad, a senior figure in Jamaat-i-Islami
Jamaat-e-Islami
This article is about Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan. For other organizations of similar name see Jamaat-e-Islami The Jamaat-e-Islami , is a Pro-Muslim political party in Pakistan...
.
The Islamic Foundation's website states:
"Islam doesn’t need liberalising. Continuous renewal is central to Islamic jurisprudence. Those who say that Islam should reform itself have misunderstood it," says Mohammad Siddique Seddon who is a Research Fellow at the Islamic Foundation. "Muslims are often asked why their faith does not get modern or undergo liberalisation. Such a question shows a misunderstanding of Islam and its relationship to modernity
Modernity
Modernity typically refers to a post-traditional, post-medieval historical period, one marked by the move from feudalism toward capitalism, industrialization, secularization, rationalization, the nation-state and its constituent institutions and forms of surveillance...
. As a phenomenon essentially of the Christian world, modernity has not affected the Muslim world
Muslim world
The term Muslim world has several meanings. In a religious sense, it refers to those who adhere to the teachings of Islam, referred to as Muslims. In a cultural sense, it refers to Islamic civilization, inclusive of non-Muslims living in that civilization...
to the same extent. The impact of the Enlightenment in Europe culminated in a separation between faith and reason. Secularisation publicly elevated the profane and relegated religion to the realm of the private."
The Islamic Foundation runs and operates the The New Muslim Project. under White British convert, Batool Al-Toma
Batool Al-Toma
Batool Al-Toma is a white Irishwoman who converted to Islam 25 years ago.-Background:Al-Toma is a graduate of St...
.
The Islamic Foundation is an affiliate of the Muslim Council of Britain
Muslim Council of Britain
The Muslim Council of Britain is a self-appointed umbrella body for national, regional, local and specialist organisations and institutions from different ethnic and sectarian backgrounds within British Islamic society. It was established in 1997 to help Muslims, to increase education about the...
(MCB).
Controversy
The Islamic Foundation, through its online bookstore , promotes the works of Islamist fundamentalists Sayyid Abul ALa Mawdudi and Sayyid QutbSayyid Qutb
Sayyid Qutb was an Egyptian author, educator, Islamist theorist, poet, and the leading member of the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood in the 1950s and '60s....
.
In the book, The Islamist
The Islamist
The Islamist: Why I Joined Radical Islam in Britain, What I Saw Inside and Why I Left, is a book about Ed Husain's five years as an Islamic fundamentalist. Husain became an Islamist at the age of sixteen, but rejected fundamentalist teaching and returned to normal life and his family...
, by Ed Husain
Ed Husain
Mohammed Mahbub Husain is the author of The Islamist, a book about Islamic fundamentalism, and an account of his five years as an Islamist activist. Husain also helped to create, with Maajid Nawaz, the counter-extremism organisation the Quilliam Foundation. He is currently at senior fellow at the...
, the Islamic Foundation is described as an Islamist organisation with extremist ties.
See also
- Islam in the United KingdomIslam in the United KingdomIslam has been present in the United Kingdom since its formation in 1707, though it was not legally recognised until the Trinitarian Act in 1812. Today it is the second largest religion in the country with estimates suggesting that by 2010 the total Muslim population had reached 2.869 million.The...
- Muslim Council of BritainMuslim Council of BritainThe Muslim Council of Britain is a self-appointed umbrella body for national, regional, local and specialist organisations and institutions from different ethnic and sectarian backgrounds within British Islamic society. It was established in 1997 to help Muslims, to increase education about the...
- Muslim Educational TrustMuslim Educational TrustThe Muslim Educational Trust is a British based organisation offering information, advice and publications about Islam and the educational needs of Muslim children in particular. It is based at 130 Stroud Green Road, London, N4 3RZ....