You've heard the term "cult" before. It conjures images of authoritarian leaders and sheep-like followers. Many people claim that some religious groups are not religions at all...but rather..."cults." But is there any real difference between a "cult" and a "religion?" ...
Features an explanation of the difference between cult and religion; a conversation between Irshad Manji and Salman Rushdie at 92nd Street Y; a discussion with the Dalai Lama and Seyyed Hossein Nasr; a talk on the Psychology of Religious experience with Huston Smith; and a lecture on the historical life of Jesus of Nazareth by Reza Aslan...and more. ...
For almost 13 centuries, from the death of the Prophet Muhammad in 632 to the overthrow of the last Ottoman caliph in 1924, the Islamic world was ruled by a caliph. ...
"Islam isn't compatible with democracy" - that's what is often spewed by some of Islam's biggest critics. But a look at the big picture - a world where much of the Muslim population lives within democratic countries and most Muslims support democracy - proves otherwise. Mehdi Hasan debunks the commonly held myth that Islam and democracy are not compatible. ...
Discusses Religious Studies and whether it involves adopting some particular faith-perspective or commitment (it does not), distinguishing it from Theology; Also discusses the inherently multi-disciplinary nature of Religious Studies as a discipline and several different attitudes commonly staked out towards religious diversity. Finishes by touching on the conception of "religious literacy", and thinking about why it is important. ...
Is religion a force for good? A controversial question at times, but one that can't be avoided in the modern world. From violence and terror, to gender equality, to science, reason, and education, the faithful and the faithless tend to repeatedly clash over whether religion is a net positive or negative, whether it helps humanity more than it hurts it. ...
Amin Hashwani begins by laying out his claim that Pakistan is not an ideological state. However, many Pakistanis are Muslim, and in the post-9/11 world, some feel that their religious identity is threatened. Hashwani makes note of how complex the issues in Pakistan really are: "In Pakistan, we do not have the luxury to choose between good and evil." ...
Stephen Prothero speaks about his new book, the NYTimes best seller "Religious Literacy: What Every American Needs to Know and Doesn't". Prothero discusses the book's central paradox - that while the United States is one of the most religious countries in the world, Americans know relatively little about religion, which given the world's climate can be harmful for the nation. ...
While Muslim countries are now criticized over education and expression, the Golden Age of Islam wasn't. So what was this prosperous period? ...
Dr. Seyyed Hossein Nasr's presentation on Islam: Truth and Beauty was given in connection to the BYU Museum of Art's exhibition Beauty and Belief: Arts of Islamic Culture to help audience members better understand how the "truth of anything--is always related to beauty." This significant lecture was co-sponsored by BYU's Wheatley Institution as part of its International Affairs series. ...
This talk was hosted by Simon Fraser University's Centre for Dialogue in partnership with the Charter for Compassion, TED Prize, and Greater Vancouver Compassion Network. Armstrong's visit reached thousands of participants and generated 5500 person-hours in programming to discuss the role of compassion in the lives and communities of participants. ...
Apart from being an intelligent writer, religious scholar Reza has painstakingly explained to TV hosts that their less-than-sophisticated stands on Islam may be founded on flimsy and dangerous assumptions. Touching on a range of topics from identity to radicalism, Aslan argues that no religion exists in a vacuum. Every faith is rooted in the soil in which it is planted. ...
Founder and editor of the traditionalist journal Sacred Web, M. Ali Lakhani, gives the introductory remarks to the 2006 conference "Tradition in the Modern World." Lakhani explains the Traditionalist/Perennialist worldview and approach to spirituality, as well as a definition of the special uses of the terms "tradition" and "sense of the sacred." Conference Summary: sacredweb.com/conference06/conference_summary.html. ...
Features a Reality Check on Islam and democracy (UpFront); a lecture on Sunnish and Shiism by Seyyed Hossein Nasr; a crash course on Karen Armstrong's book Early Colonization of Islamic States; a documentary on the Caliph (Al-Jazeera,Part 2); a short clip on Muslim cultures by Ali Asani; and a talk on Female Spirituality in Islam by Dr. Maria Dakake...and more. ...
Kenan Institute for Ethics - Speeches & Panels - Why Religion Matters: The Future of Faith in an Age on Disbelief. Huston Smith is the Thomas J. Watson Professor of Religion and Distinguished Adjunct Professor of Philosophy, Emeritus, Syracuse University. ...
How is philanthropy strengthened when multiple stakeholders come to the table? Dr. Mirza Jahani, CEO of the Aga Khan Foundation USA, discusses the role government, civil society and business play in philanthropy. In the words of Dr. Jahani, "we all wear multiple hats", so we must find solutions that are inclusive of multiple perspectives. In this video, Dr. Jahani shares how the ...
From a recently proposed ban on Muslim women wearing burkinis to banning face veils in public, France has cracked down on Islamic practices in the public sphere. The French government points to the concept of "laicite", the strict French secular separation of church/state, to justify such measures, but there may be a double standard when it comes to Islam. ...
Many people in Western countries perceive Muslims as a unified group and Islam as a religion imbued with fundamentalism that is hardly compatible with modernity and democracy. Reza Aslan dismantles one after another these misperceptions about Islam in the West and strongly rejects the Huntington's still modish concept of "clash of civilizations". ...
The Fatimid Caliphate was a Shiʻi Muslim caliphate that spanned a large area of North Africa, from the Red Sea in the east to the Atlantic Ocean in the west. The dynasty of Arab origin ruled across the Mediterranean coast of Africa and ultimately made Egypt the center of the caliphate. ...
Theology and Religious Studies ... do you know the difference? Theology differs from religious studies in that it focuses more closely on the study of God and faith rather than in the critical investigation of religions. Theology is often more faith-based, while religious studies is more analytical. ...
Religion was an ingenious solution to many of mankind's earliest fears and needs. Religion is now implausible to many, but the needs remain. That is the challenge of our times. ...
NEW YORK, November 1, 2017 -- The Aga Khan, spiritual leader of the world's 15 million Shia Ismaili Muslims, accepts an Asia Society Asia Game Changer Lifetime Achievement Award. (3 min., 51 sec.) ...
"Come, come, whoever you are," and join UNC professor of religious studies Omid Safi in exploring the poetry of Rumi, 13th century Persian poet and mystic, through recitation, analysis, and music. This programs is part of the Bridging Cultures BookShelf: Muslim Journeys and is cosponsored by the Duke Islamic Studies Center. ...
Features a short explanation of the difference between theology and religious studies; a lecture on religious diversity and literacy; a clip on understanding religious beliefs, a talk on why religion matters: the future of faith by Huston Smith; a speech on averting violent extremism by Karim H Karim; a lecture on religion and the history of violence by Karen Armstrong...and more. ...
For almost 13 centuries, from the death of the Prophet Muhammad in 632 to the overthrow of the last Ottoman caliph in 1924, the Islamic world was ruled by a caliph which means successor or deputy. The caliph was considered the successor to the Prophet Muhammad. It is a term that has, at times, been abused. ...
Features Mawlana Hazar Imam talking about journalists to observe professionalism, Dr. Ismail Serageldin giving a lecture about the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, Jonah Steinberg on his Book, "Ismaili Modern", Learning By Heart - Ismaili Muslim Volunteer by Aleem Karmali, IIS Video: Fatimid Rejection of ghuluww: Kitāb al-Kashf attributed to Jaʿfar b. Mansūr al-Yaman, The Fatimid Dynasty in Egypt ... and more. ...
The Intercultural Dialogue Institute - Ottawa the Carleton Centre for the Study of Islam and the Canadian Council of Muslim Women, held a workshop on "Averting Violent Extremism: Religious Literacy, Pluralism and Community Resilience" at the Intercultural Dialogue Institute - Ottawa and Carleton University. The workshop's aim was to work towards the development of a practical and pragmatic program. ...
Features an interview on the misperceptions about Islam with Reza Aslan, a documentary on the Caliph (Al-Jazeera, Part 1); a lecture on violent extremism by Ali Asani; a talk on the Quran in Islam by Farid Esack; a discussion on the poetry of Rumi by Omid Safi; a conversation on Islamic esotericism and mathematical archetypes by Waleed El-Ansary...and more. ...
Watch the scenery of the Alamut Castle. Alamut (meaning "eagle's nest") is a ruined mountain fortress located in Alamut region in the South Caspian province of Gilan near the Rudbar region in Iran, approximately 100 km (60 mi) from present-day Tehran. Today, it lies in ruins, but because of its historical significance, it is being developed by the Iranian government as a tourist destination.
Jonah Steinberg (University of Vermont), author of "Isma'ili Modern: Globalization and Identity in a Muslim Community", 2011 (UNC Press) the 2013 awardee of the Book Award in Citizenship Studies.
Follow us as we venture to Toronto, Canada to check out North America's newest museum - the Aga Khan Museum. This museum is North America's first museum dedicated to the arts & culture of muslim civilizations across the world - from the Far East to North America. ...
Philanthropy 360º is a series of interviews with leaders in the world of strategic giving. Produced by the Global Philanthropy Forum, Philanthropy 360º seeks to inspire and inform. Each video includes a unique perspective on effective philanthropy and strategic giving. ...
Muslim journalist Mehdi Hasan, political editor of the Huffington Post, warns Anne-Marie Waters that her "astonishing claims" might endanger her future as a Labour Party candidate, but assured her "don't worry, the BNP will take you". Hasan asks why, if Islam is "responsible for killing," such a tiny percentage of believers actually participate in violence... ...
His Highness the Aga Khan is the spiritual leader of the Ismaili Muslims. He is also the chairman of the global development network, Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) that provides development in areas of education, health, tourism and many more, particularly in Africa and Asia. ...
A Pastor, a Rabbi and an Imam walk into a diner... and have a fun, serious and slightly irreverent conversation about who God is to them. Today, for better or worse, the power of religion touches all of our lives, no matter what our faith. This is the quest of our generation. This is the Story of God. ...
Reza Shah-Kazemi is an author who specializes in comparative mysticism, Islamic Studies, Sufism and Shi'ism. He is the founding editor of the Islamic World Report and currently a Research Associate at the Institute of Ismaili Studies with the Department of Academic Research and Publications. ...
Features Mawlana Hazar Imam designates the Seat of the Ismaili Imamat in Lisbon, Portugal; UCA - Creating Opportunity on the Roof of the World; Philanthropy 360º - Aleem Walji, CEO, Aga Khan Foundation USA; Five Former US Presidents Recognize Houston's Ismaili Muslim Volunteers; Young Ismailis come together at Global Encounters 2015 ... and more. ...
Ali Asani, professor of Indo-Muslim and Islamic religion and cultures at Harvard University, gave a fascinating talk entitled, From Qawwali to Sufi Rock: Exploring Contemporary Expressions of Muslim Devotional Literature on Friday, February 11 in the Meyerson Conference Room at the University of Texas at Austin. ...
Seyyed Hossein Nasr, currently University Professor of Islamic Studies at the George Washington University, Washington D.C. is one of the most important and foremost scholars of Islamic, Religious and Comparative Studies in the world today. He is the author of over fifty books and five hundred articles which have been translated into several major Islamic, European and Asian languages. ...
