View Photos from the Visit

On Saturday 14 March 2009, Shaykh Abdal Hakim Murad ( T J Winter) visited Jamia Al-Karam and met with Shaykh M I H Pirzada. Shaykh Abdal Hakim Murad is currently the Shaykh Zayed Lecturer of Islamic Studies in the Faculty of Divinity at Cambridge University and Director of Studies in Theology at Wolfson College.

Students of Jamia Al-Karam along with the staff and Shaykh M I H Pirzada received Shaykh A H Murad in the grounds of Jamia Al-Karam. Following the reception, Shaykh A H Murad and Shaykh M I H Pirzada had a detailed discussion which was followed by lunch. During the discussion, Shaykh A H Murad paid tribute to the achievements of Jamia Al-Karam in particular the Al-Karam Secondary School which has remained in first position in the entire county of Nottinghamshire for the past four consecutive years in the GCSE league.

Shaykh A H Murad and Shaykh M I H Pirzada discussed the aims, objectives and workings of Shaykh A H Murad’s new project – the Cambridge Muslim College. Also present during this meeting were James Abdulaziz Brown (Executive Assistant at the Cambridge Muslim College) and Mujadad Zaman (Curriculum Development Coordinator at the Cambridge Muslim College). The Cambridge Muslim College is offering a new course that has been formulated under the direct guidance of Shaykh A H Murad which awards its students the Diploma in Contextual Islamic Studies & Leadership. The course is due to begin in September 2009. [For further information, visit www.cambridgemuslimcollege.org]

On the same day, Jamia Al-Karam hosted the General Meeting of AKSA (Al-Karam Scholars Association) which is a network institution that comprises of the scholars and graduates of Jamia Al-Karam. Graduates of Jamia Al-Karam currently serving as Imams and Khatibs in mosques, teachers in schools, chaplains in the public services, etc. arrived for their meeting with Shaykh M I H Pirzada. The opening session of the meeting began with an address by Shaykh A H Murad who spoke directly to the AKSA members offering his words of inspiration. Shaykh A H Murad commented on the inherent nature of a true scholar – being humble and courageous. He cited examples of inspirational figures of the past including Shaykh Mu‘in al-Din Chishti of Ajmer, India, who would spend his nights outside the city walls sitting amongst the Shoodar caste of Hindus who were considered to be the lowest people; the untouchables for they would pollute the rest. He talked of courage and the significance of the words la tahzan inallaha ma’ana. He also commented upon the connection between light and shadows, nur and zulumat. His talk was filled with wisdom and knowledge.

VIEW PHOTOS FROM THE VISIT

Following the address, the Vice Principal of Jamia Al-Karam, Bakhtyar H Pirzada al-Azhari thanked Shaykh A H Murad for visiting Jamia Al-Karam and also for speaking to AKSA, the members of which no doubt benefited from his talk. Shortly after, Shaykh A H Murad departed from Jamia Al-Karam.

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