Notes from Day 1:

THERE ARE 3 COMPONENTS THAT WE ARE LIVING IN:

1. The reality of the level of the Islamic world which is different but which is common in
all countries
2. Reality in the level of different relationships within different communities
3. Reality of the world we live in today; mechanisms, purposes and interactions have
changed.

It is better to talk about difference….. Difference leads to clashes or rupture but difference can also
be wise. (example of hadith of hajj prayers).

Virtues can lead from a difference to work that is beneficial and can then unite and get people to
work for the good of the Ummah - we must learn to deal with the difference at the level of
the ummah- this is a shariah issue.

Difference is mercy- the more difference there is the more mercy there is - cites Imam Malik’s
request from the calipha to distribute books to the different countries and Imam Malik mentioned
that he should not and to let different scholars in different cultures to.

People should differ but they should not clash or have conflicts. It is essential to show that the clash of
civilizations is wrong and the embracing of diversity is.

It is important to agree on the new contract based on Allah’s teaching.

It is also a fight against darkness- conference brings us together to cooperate and to understand
that scholars should be in the forefront of where thinking should be….. they are not aware of what
young people are thinking and what they want.

Muslims need to discuss a basis for the issues of the Ummah

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Notes from Day 2:

There is a need to be have a clear understanding of definitions and to have an understanding of

the different interpretations so that there is a better comprehension of the texts of Islam.

You cannot call for the killing of others because if you do, then you are saying that everything
around should be destroyed.

Ulema need to address how to deal with the minds of young people- the need to rationalise the
different types of conclusions drawn by the understanding of how young people interpret
texts.

Extremism needs to be redefined and explained.

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Notes from Day 3:

Dr Laura McDonald

The need to have a better understanding of how we need to cascade knowledge to young people.
Young people are a focal point both for the state as well as the community. The need to develop
community-led engagement are a way to protect and act as alternatives to the way other
agencies such as governments would interact with young people.

2 ways of tackling violent extremism

1) Developing a social contract
2) Etiquette of difference

Theology is a key in building security and knowledge in young people and passing to them the
ownership of the social contract builds leadership qualities that will foster greater cohesion
within communities.

Shaykha Halima Krausen

What is the middle way in engagement?

Knowledge has different aspects, it as the aspect of information and of experience. If knowledge
was only about experiences without the information, it could lead to all kinds of assumptions that
may or may not be correct.

Both experiences and information are necessary to keep religion alive.

There is a need to not only train new generation of scholars buts raising the standards of knowledge of
the believers in order to build a balanced society that lives in peace internally and with the rest of
creation.

Faith is closely linked with knowledge - There is a need for people to have a better understanding of
what the Qur'an and what Allah's mercy encompass.

We must not forget that the purpose of our Law is happiness in both this world and the world to
come.

Our most potent weapon in our struggle against fear and ignorance is Love. Love for our
Creator, for our brethren and for creation. It is what gives meaning to our efforts and is stronger
than what fear and hope can achieve

Humera Khan

Difference of experience explains some of the difficulties in trying to negotiate and

communicate between the two emerging worlds in the Muslim community, with the experiences
of Muslims living in a secular society.

For women, the journey starts from birth...... women are shaped by the atmosphere by anxiety from
which they are culturally attuned.

The theological questions of women has been addressed, but there is a disconnect from the
equalness in front of Allah and the equalness that we experience in society. We are not able to
transfer that into the lived experience.

While we are concerned about the political, economic situations in our countries, we must look at
the social infrastructure to support our families/communities.

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There has been a loss of Muslim fatherhood- it is creating insecurity and vulnerability in
society - Men need to be brought back into the family in a compassionate and merciful manner.
And their roles to be seen as examples to women as role models both to young men and women in
a manner demonstrating co-operation for the common good.

Women have to fight twice as hard to be taken seriously, and this is not fair.

Key Issues:
• space to be heard
• women contribute a lot to society
• they are the treasures of knowledge

Habib Umar - The roles of women in society

The need for the woman to be seen as the cornerstone of society.

There need to be more meetings between men and women which will lead to more discussions. The
need to focus more on the kinds of presentations that need to be addressed.

Mufti Ceric Spiritual Revolution

How to create the spiritual revolution in the world we live in by re-connecting with our nature.

Inaba (representation), referring to Ibrahim as muneeb (penitent), which is to go back to our nature
and foster our relationship with the divine.

Highlighting the importance of spiritual is the key to foster the values of the middle way and
reinforcing inter-faith dialogue.

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Running Order:

Day 1:

Shaykh Abdul Aziz

Fuad Nadhi
Fiona Rumney
Shaykh Usama Al-Azhary
Shaykh Abdullah bin Bayyah
Habib Umar
Cheikhna bin Bayyah
Mohammed Skalli
Dr Raghib Naeemi
Shaykh Abdullah bin Bayyah

Day 2

Dr Mustafa Ceric
Shaykh Mohammed Garibullah
Dr Hasan al Azozi
Shaykh Usama Al-Azhary

Day 3

Shaykha Halima Krausen

Dr Larua Mcdonald
Humera Khan
Dr Mufti Ceric
Habib Umar
Shaykh Abdal Hakim Murad

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