The Muslim 500 - 2018 Edition - Free eBook

is the Chairperson of People's Action for Free and Jordan (where he received ijazah from the GrandFair Elections (PAFFREL), President Emeritus Mufti of Amman to give religious verdicts). Heand Founder of the Sri Lanka Muslim Women’s graduated from Rotterdam University with a BAConference (SLMWC), Founder and Chairperson in Theology and MSc in Islamic Counselling. Heof the Academy of Adult Education for Women lectures extensively and has appeared on CNN and(AAEW), Member of the Board of Management Al Jazeera. His multi award-winning Belgian nationalfor the Center for Human Rights at the University television documentary, My Jihad, was translated intoof Colombo, Coordinator of the Muslim Women’s 12 languages. As a scholar who resonates with youngResearch and Action Forum, Vice President of the and old alike, Sheikh Sulayman is a powerful, dy-Girl Guides Association, and a member of the Board namic and credible voice for the emerging formationof Directors of Helpage in Sri Lanka. In 1989, the of a confident, faithful identity of Islam in Europe.Government of Sri Lanka conferred on her the titleof Deshabandhu, the third highest national honour. BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA Marsoof, Justice Saleem Mahmutćehajić, HE Prof Dr RusmirSupreme Court Judge Saleem Marsoof was sworn Rusmir Mahmutćehajić is a Bosnian academic,in as the Acting Chief Justice before President Ma- author, and former statesman. Considered one ofhinda Rajapaksa in May 2013. Justice Marsoof is a Bosnia’s leading intellectuals and public figures, he isformer judge of the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka and the foremost advocate of the idea of a diverse Bosnia.former President of the Court of Appeals. He is an A scholar of the Muslim intellectual tradition andaward-winning lecturer on law and the development a contributor to contemporary Muslim thoughtof legal studies, as well as a prolific author with a and the liberal interpretation of Islam, Professorspecial interest in law reform in Sri Lanka. Mahmutćehajić has served his country as Deputy Prime Minister and as Energy Minister through the THAILAND process of independence and much of the war (1991- 95). For the past 15 years, he has been President of Sabur, M Abdus International Forum Bosnia, which is dedicated toSabur is the Secretary General and co-founder of the the development of critical intelligence and a pluralAsian Resource Foundation and the Asian Muslim society in Bosnia. He is the author of more than 20Action Network. He is also Co-director of the School books in Bosnian, some 12 of which have been pub-of Peace Studies and Conflict Transformation in lished in multiple languages, and author of severalBangkok. In the 90s, Sabur served as coordinator hundred academic articles and essays.of the Asian Cultural Forum on Development(ACFOD). He has edited a number of publications UNITED KINGDOMon peace and dialogue in Southeast Asia, including: Ali, Sheikh HasanUnderstanding Human Rights: Perspectives fromSouth Asia, Interfaith Conference on the Culture Sheikh Hasan Ali is a popular preacher and reputableof Peace, Globalization and Asian Perspectives for figure in London. In addition to volunteering hisan Alternative Development, and Towards Peace in expertise at local mosques, community centres, andMulti-Ethnic Asia. secondary schools, he contributes to local interfaith programs and various community events. He is Europe the founder of Safar Academy and holds a Masters Degree in Educational Psychology in addition to BELGIUM his Islamic training. van Ael, Sheikh Sulayman (new) Begg, Moazzam (new)Sheikh Sulayman van Ael is the founder of The Moazzam Begg is a British Pakistani who was heldArk Institute, an educational institution based in without charge by the US for 3 years in the notoriousLondon. After becoming Muslim at the age of 18, Bagram and Guantanamo Bay detention centres.he travelled the world to seek knowledge and gained After much public outcry he was finally releasedijazah (teaching licenses) in various disciplines from in 2005, and in 2010, the British Government an-scholars from Sudan, Morocco, Saudi Arabia and nounced an out-of-court financial settlement for 145

their complicity in the whole affair. He has written Nahdi, Fuad a book, ‘Enemy Combatant,’ which details the abuse Fuad Nahdi is a pioneering and award-winning carried out at the detention centres. He is currently a journalist, campaigner, thinker, and interfaith activist media commentator and speaks about international whose contributions have spanned three decades. He anti-terror measures and how they are eroding hu- is currently Executive Director of the Radical Middle man rights. Way, an organization that has harnessed positive religious narratives to encourage civic engagement, Hasan, Mehdi promote positive social action, and empower relevant Mehdi Hasan is a leading Muslim political journalist religious leadership to build resilience to violence and whose analysis and comments on contemporary extremism. In 2014, Nahdi became the first Muslim to issues find resonance with many Muslims, espe- address the General Synod of The Church of England. cially the younger generation. In 2015, he moved to Washington DC to work full time for Al Jazeera Oceania English (AJE), where he hosts a weekly interview and discussion program. Prior to this, he was the host AU S T R AL I A of AJE's Head to Head, as well as having worked for Ali, Imam Afroz HuffPost UK, The Guardian, BBC, and Sky News. Imam Afroz studied with scholars in Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Mauritania, and Al-Azhar University before Henzell-Thomas, Dr Jeremy (new) he established Al-Ghazzali Centre for Islamic Scienc- Dr Henzell-Thomas has been a major force as a writer, es & Human Development. Previously, he was an editor, lecturer and advisor in the campaign to reform accomplished professional architect. Today he also education in the Muslim world and the way Islam offers ethical corporate training on team building, tends to be treated in Western educational circles. personal leadership, spiritual development, motiva- He founded the Book Foundation, served as first tion, and goal setting. He leads various community Chair of FAIR( UK Forum against Islamophobia developments for positive citizenship and sustaina- and Racism) and now serves as Associate Editor of ble environment projects in the Australasia-Pacific Critical Muslim. He was instrumental in advising region. He is the recipient of the International Am- Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal on funding the estab- bassador for Peace award, as well as an Ambassador lishment of centres of Islamic Studies at two British for the Charter for Compassion. He has worked universities and supported the newly established extensively with SeekersHub Global where he served post of Readership in Islamic education at Warwick as the Managing Director. He is currently the Schol- University. He remains a Research Associate at the ar-in-Residence at Al-Ghazzali Centre. Centre of Islamic Studies at Cambridge, serves as an Chowdhury, Sheikh Tawfique Executive Committee member of the Association Chowdhury is the Founder, Chairman, and CEO of Muslim Social Scientists UK and is a Fellow at of Mercy Mission, one of the world’s fastest growing the Royal Society of Arts. His most recent publi- Muslim social entreprises. Its premier program is the cation is Rethinking Reform in Higher Education: AlKauthar Institute (alkauthar.org), which offers From Islamization to Integration (co-authored with courses in Islamic disciplines to the general public Ziauddin Sardar.) through a medium that is accessible to working professionals. When AlKauthar initially launched Mangera, Mufti Abdur-Rahman ibn Yusuf in 2005, its offerings were limited to Australia. Mufti Abdur-Rahman ibn Yusuf Mangera has been AlKauthar Institute has since spread its reach across studying traditional Islamic disciplines for most of the Western world, South Africa, India, Bangladesh, his life. He memorized the Qur’an by the age of 15, Indonesia, and Malaysia. A medical doctor by profes- and has studied with accomplished scholars in the sion, Tawfique studied Islamic theology in Medina, UK, South Africa, India, and Syria. He holds an MA specializing in Islamic finance, personal law, and degree from the UK and has translated and written Islamic medical ethics. He also runs a successful mul- numerous works, many of which are published tinational IT company, and is a corporate trainer and through White Thread Press (www.whitethread- business coach to many successful people worldwide. press.com).146

North America among the ten Washingtonians of the Year in 2010 presented with Washingtonian Magazine’s award for CANADA outstanding leadership. He has served as an advisor to many in Washington, including President Obama. Kutty, Faisal Mogahed, DaliaA leading North American Muslim lawyer, Faisal Dalia Mogahed is the Director of Research at theKutty is outspoken on issues of human rights, Islamic Institute for Social Policy and Understanding. Shethought and anti-terror legislation. He is a co-founder was previously a senior analyst and Executive Directorof KSM Law, a respected Toronto law firm with an at the Gallup Centre for Muslim Studies, as well asinternational client base. He co-founded the Canadi- the Director of the Muslim West Facts Project. Pres-an Muslim Civil Liberties Association and served as ident Obama appointed her to serve on the Advisoryits first legal counsel and previously served as the vice Council on Faith-Based and Neighborhood Part-chair and legal counsel to the Canadian Council on nerships, making her the first hijab-wearing MuslimAmerican Islamic Relations (now renamed the Na- woman to hold a White House position. Mogahedtional Council of Canadian Muslims). He is a widely has also held high positions in the US-Musliminvited public speaker and has written numerous Engagement Project and is co-author of the bookop-eds, academic articles, papers, reviews and essays Who Speaks for Islam? What a Billion Muslimson topics ranging from national security to religion Really Think.and law. He is currently an associate professor of lawat Valparaiso University School of Law in Indiana Mujahid, Abdul Malikand serves as an adjunct professor of law at Osgoode As President of the multimedia company SoundHall Law School in Toronto. Vision, Abdul Malik Mujahid has created a critical educational resource for Muslims. His development UNITED STATES OF AMERICA of the Radio Islam nightly talk show in Chicago is Awad, Nihad not only a source of support for Muslims, but an im- portant educational link to non-Muslims of GreaterNihad Awad is the co-founder and Executive Direc- Chicago. During his tenure as Chair of the Counciltor of the Council on American Islamic Relations of Islamic Organizations of Greater Chicago and(CAIR). CAIR is the most prominent Muslim lobby in his role as Chair of the Parliament of the World’sgroup in the US and is frequently sought out by the Religions (2010-2015), Mujahid spoke with eloquencemedia and politicians for the Islamic perspective on about the destructiveness of Islamophobia and theevents. Awad is one of the signatories of A Common need for all people to come together in a spirit ofWord Between Us and You and participates regularly justice and peace. He is the Chair of Burma Taskin the US Department of State’s International Visitor Force USA, National Coordinator of Bosnia TaskLeadership Program. Awad coordinated the formal Force USA, and collaborated with the National Or-release of the Open Letter to Al-Baghdadi, signed by ganization of Women (NOW) to have rape declaredover 120 leading Muslim scholars and academics, a war crime. His reflections on current events can bewhich rejected the extremist teachings promoted found on his blog with HuffPost.by Da’ish. Qadhi, Dr Yasir Khan, Salman Yasir Qadhi is one of very few professors of IslamicRead bio on page 94 in Honourable Mentions studies who is also a classically trained scholar. He has established a reputation as a cleric who appreciates the Majid, Imam Mohammed cultural impact that Muslims have to face in the US.An outstanding figure in interfaith activities, Imam He is also renowned for reaching out to media outletsMagid is the Executive Director and Imam at the and mainstream Americans of different religions toADAMS Centre in Virginia, and former President promote a better understanding of Islam, and toof ISNA. He is an advocate for youth and women, challenge stereotypes about Muslims in the US. Hisand serves on the FBI’s Muslim, Sikh, and Arab condemnations of Da’ish and other extremists haveAdvisory Committee. In recognition of his efforts led Da’ish to call for his assassination.toward interfaith bridge building, Imam Magid was 147

Sarsour, Linda munities, immigration, criminal justice issues, andLinda Sarsour is an American-Palestinian, human Middle East affairs. She was one of the organizers ofrights and social justice activist, and a campaigner the 2017 Women's March which drew over 400,000against increasing Islamophobia in the United participants in the US alone.States. Linda is the Executive Director of the ArabAmerican Association of New York and SeniorStrategist for the Campaign to Take on Hate. Sheis also the co-founder of the Muslim DemocraticClub of New York, the first of its kind in New YorkCity. Her numerous distinctions include: the WhiteHouse's Champion of Change, the New York CityCouncil’s Shirley Chisholm Women of DistinctionAward, and CAIR's inaugural American Muslimof the Year. Linda has also written for—and beenfeatured in—local, national, and international mediaon issues related to Arab-Muslim American com- Generations for Peace www.generationsforpeace.org Founded by HRH Prince Feisal al-Hussein in 2007, Generations for Peace is a leading global non-profit peace-building organization with its headquarters in Amman, Jordan. A volunteer movement, they are dedicated to sustainable conflict transformation at the grassroots in communities, promoting four values of youth leadership, commu- nity empowerment, active tolerance, and responsible citizenship. And keeping a focus on four drivers of change: innovation, quality, impact and sustainability. Generations for Peace has developed a unique curriculum for training carefully selected volunteer leaders of youth, and mentoring and supporting them to implement sustained activities for children, youth, and adults. Conflict sensi- tivity, and the full participation and empowerment of girls and women, are integrated into the approach. Sports are an entry point to engage with youth, with carefully-facilitated sport-based games providing a vehicle for integrated education and behaviour change. Generations for Peace is one of only two peace-through-sport organiza- tions officially recognized by the International Olympic Committee. The Generations for Peace Institute has partnerships with Georgetown University and the University of Ox- ford, supporting field research of the programmes. The research evidence shows programme outcomes and impacts which include: reductions in different forms of violence; increased capacity to manage conflict in nonviolent ways; strengthened ability to break-out of cycles of violence; changes in attitudes and shattering of stereotypes; greater un- derstanding, respect and trust between different tribes, ethnic groups, religions, genders, and minorities; strengthened social capital and social networks; empowerment of girls and women; greater volunteerism, youth engagement, and responsible citizenship. In the last ten years, they have trained and mentored more than 9,652 volunteer leaders of youth in 50 countries and territories in the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and Europe. Their activities have touched the lives of more than 380,983 people. For the past three years Generations for Peace has been ranked within the Top 35 NGOs in the World by Geneva-based NGO Advisor, based on their assessment of NGOs’ innovation, impact, governance and sustainability.148

BUSINESS Middle East and Pioneer Award for her service to the space communi- North Africa ty. She recently received an Honorary Doctorate of Science from Utah Valley University. In 2017, Ansari BAHRAIN co-represented Iranian filmmaker Asghar Farhadi at Al-Zayani, Afnan the 89th Academy Awards, accepting the Oscar onAfnan al-Zayani is the CEO of Al-Zayani Commer- his behalf for his film The Salesman. Farhadi did notcial Services (AZCS), a multimillion dollar corpo- attend himself due to his opposition to Presidentration. She appeared in Forbes' 200 Most Powerful Trump's immigration ban.Arab Women and Arabian Business' Power 100. Sheis responsible for the passing of personal status laws JORDANin Bahrain that ensure the protection of Muslim Abu-Ghazaleh, Talalwomen’s rights in divorce and custody proceedings, Abu-Ghazaleh is the Chairman and founder of thesomething she oversaw during her leadership of the Talal Abu-Ghazaleh Organization. He is creditedBahrain Businesswomen’s Society (BBS). Subse- with introducing the concept of intellectual propertyquently, Al-Zayani led the Middle East and North to the Arab World. Abu-Ghazaleh has been selectedAfrica Businesswomen’s Network. In 2010, she as Deputy Chairman of the UN Global Compact, asreceived the Leadership in Public Life Award from well as being appointed by the UN as Chair of UNVital Voices, a women’s empowerment organization. Global Alliance for ICT and Development. He is theIn 2016, she was honoured by the IWEC Foundation only person listed in the IP Hall of Fame in Chicago,at the annual conference in Belgium. USA, who is not from one of the G8 countries. KU WA I T EGYPT Al-Bahar, Shaikha Helal, Lobna (new) Shaikha Al-Bahar is the Deputy CEO of the NationalLobna Helal was appointed by a Presidential decree Bank of Kuwait, valued at over $79 billion in totalas Deputy Governor of Egypt’s Central Bank in 2016 assets. She is in charge of loans, investment banking,after having served as the first woman to serve on its marketing, and treasury. Al-Bahar is also Chair-board, as Second Deputy Governor from 2011- 2013. person of Al-Watany Bank of Egypt, Vice Chair atHilal also holds key positions such as the deputy chair NBK Capital (a subsidiary of the National Bank ofof the Egyptian Banking Institute and recently joined Kuwait), and sits on the board of the InternationalTelecom Egypt’s board. Bank of Qatar. She studied at Harvard Business School, Stanford, Duke, and California University. IRAN Al-Ghunaim, Maha Ansari, Anousheh Al-Ghunaim is a pivotal figure in Arab and KuwaitiAnousheh Ansari is Chairman, CEO, and co-founder banking and finance. In 1998, she founded Globalof Prodea Systems, a private US-based company offer- Investment House, one of the most renowned compa-ing technological solutions for businesses. In 2004, nies in the Arab World. She is well-known for takingalong with other members of the Ansari family, she the company international and onto the Londonco-sponsored the Ansari X Prize which awarded $10 Stock Exchange in 2008, making it the first Kuwaitimillion to the first company that launched a reusable company to be listed there. The firm is also listed onmanned spacecraft. The catalyst of her influence was the Kuwait, Dubai, and Bahrain stock exchanges.in 2006, when she became the first privately-fundedwoman, and first Iranian, to explore space. In 2015, 149the National Space Society awarded Ansari the Space

LEBANON SAUDI ARABIA Kassar, Adnan Al-Amoudi, Sheikh Mohammed Hussein AliKassar is a landmark Lebanese politician and busi- Sheikh Mohammed Hussein Ali al-Amoudi has anessman, and was President of the Beirut Chamber portfolio of businesses in oil, mining, agriculture,of Commerce and Industry for over 30 years. He hotels, hospitals, finance, operations, and mainte-was the driving force behind Lebanon remaining nance in various countries including Saudi Arabiaopen for business during its long years of war and and Ethiopia. His charitable and philanthropicconflict. After acquiring Fransabank in 1980, Kassar works are substantial, especially in Ethiopia. In 2015,transformed it into Lebanon's largest bank by branch Forbes listed him 116th on its annual billionaires'network. His accolades include the National Order list. With his net worth at $10.8 billion, he is bothof Merit (France), Order of Merit of the Italian Re- the world's second wealthiest black billionaire andpublic, Order of Merit of the Republic of Hungary, second wealthiest Saudi. In January 2017, The SheikhCommander of the Order of Rio Branco (Brazil), Mohammed Hussein Ali Al-Amoudi Stadium wasthe China Award, and the Order of Friendship opened. The stadium reportedly cost more than $22(Russian Federation). Kassar received the Business million, and took four and a half years to complete.for Peace Award in 2014, and was elected HonoraryChairman of the Silk Road Chamber of International Al-Waleed bin Talal bin AbdulCommerce (SRCIC) in 2016. Aziz Al-Saud, HRH Prince MOROCCO Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal is a member of the Bouhia, Hynd Saudi royal family who built his fortune throughHynd Bouhia is the General Director of the Cas- entrepreneurship and investment in real estate andablanca Stock Exchange. She holds a PhD from the stock market. His philanthropic contributionsHarvard and has worked at the World Bank since are wide-ranging and include a contribution of $201996. In 2004, the then Prime Minister of Morocco million to found the Centre for Christian-Muslimappointed her as his economic advisor. Bouhia was Understanding at Georgetown University, which re-central to securing foreign investment, attracting a mains one of the key institutions globally working on$700 million US grant to aid private enterprises. Christian-Muslim relations. He recently announcedBouhia was a Special Assistant to the World Bank's that he would donate his entire fortune to charity inVice President for Middle East and North Africa, order to foster cultural understanding and empowerspecifically in economic, technical, and diplomatic women, among other motivations. In June 2015 Forbesissues. Forbes mentioned her as one of The 100 Most listed Al-Waleed as the 34th-richest man in the world,Powerful Women while Arabian Business ranked her with an estimated net worth of US $28 billion. Heas one of the 100 Most Powerful Arab Women. claims he is worth US $32 billion. QATAR Bin Laden, Bakr Al-Ansari, Buthaina Bakr bin Laden, half-brother of the deceased Al-Qa-Buthaina al-Ansari is the Senior Director of Human eda leader Osama bin Laden, is the Chairman of theResources at Ooredoo (formerly Qtel) and Founder Saudi Binladin Group. Revenue of his company isand Chairperson of Qatariat T&D Holding Com- estimated at $6 billion. He was listed no. 3 on thepany, which helps Qatari women develop business 2013 Construction Week Power 100 by Arabian Busi-skills in order to advance in the workplace. She is ness. His company is responsible for constructiona board member of the Qatar Business Women's projects in the Al-Haram Al-Sharif in Mecca, suchAssociation and a member of the MENA Business as the expansion and the jamarat projects. The groupWomen's Network. In 2012, Arabian Business ranked has been involved with several major projects in theher among the 100 Most Powerful Arab Women while country, including the King Abdullah EconomicL'Officiel Qatar awarded her the Most Inspirational City, the King Abdul Aziz International Airport,Arab Woman of the Year Award. and the King Saud University. The property giant has also signed a $1 billion deal with the Kingdom Holding Group to build Kingdom Tower, the world’s tallest building, in Jeddah.150

Olayan, Lubna a more attractive place to invest and do businessLubna Olayan is internationally recognized as Saudi in. He is one of the main assistants of HH SheikhArabia’s top businesswoman. As a leading investor in Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, and is thethe Saudi economy, Chief Executive Officer of the Chairman of Emaar, one of the world’s largest realOlayan Financing Company, and a board member estate companies. Arabian Business ranked him asfor organizations such as Saudi Hollandi Bank, Rolls the world’s fourth most powerful Arab.Royce, and Citigroup, among others, she is one ofthe most influential businesswomen in the world. Al-Gurg, RajaShe was listed as the 67th most powerful woman in Raja al-Gurg is Managing Director of the Easa Salehthe world by Forbes in 2015 and the number one most Al-Gurg Group LLC (ESAG). Al-Gurg is the firstpowerful Arab business woman in 2017. Emirati woman on the board of HSBC Bank Middle East Limited and is also on the advisory board of SUDAN Coutts Bank, the wealth management division of Ibrahim, Dr Mohamed \"Mo\" the Royal Bank of Scotland Group. She also playsMohamed Ibrahim—more commonly known as Mo an active role in several philanthropic, social, andIbrahim—is a Sudanese-born entrepreneur currently women's societies, including serving as Deputy Chairbased in the UK. A successful telecommunications of the Dubai Healthcare City Authority and Presi-businessman, he founded one of Africa’s largest dent of the Dubai Business Women Council. Forbescellular phone companies, Celtel. He came into listed her as the Most Powerful Arab Woman in 2015.prominence for establishing the Ibrahim Prize forAchievement in African Leadership in 2017, an award Al-Jaber, Fatimathat provides the recipient a $5 million initial pay- Al-Jaber is an Emirati businesswoman and Chiefment, plus $200,000 annually for life. The prize was Operating Officer of the Al-Jaber Group. She su-conceived as a way to promote good governance and pervises more than 50,000 employees and managescurb corruption by African leaders seeking financial around $4.9 billion in assets. She is also a regularsecurity when they leave office. The prize is believed speaker at economic conferences. Al-Jaber was theto be the world’s largest, surpassing the $1.3 million first ever Emirati woman to be elected to the Board ofNobel Peace Prize. Directors at the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce in December 2009. She has received many awards SYRIA and has been featured in Forbes and Arabian Business. Alchaar, Dr Mohammed NedalAlchaar is the Secretary General of the Accounting Lootah, Haj Saeedand Auditing Organization for Islamic Financial Haj Saeed Lootah is an accomplished entrepreneur,Institutions (AAOIFI), an independent international businessman, philanthropist, and visionary com-non-profit organization. It is supported by its 200 munity leader. In 1975, Haj Saeed set up the firstmembers—mostly banks and financial institutions— commercial Islamic bank in the world: Dubai Islamicfrom 45 countries around the globe. It is one of the Bank. He built his own construction company intokey organizations creating standards for the Islamic a business empire that has holdings in almost allbanking industry. economic sectors. He maintains high ethical and UNITED ARAB EMIRATES Islamic standards throughout all his companies. He has been granted honorary degrees from universities Alabbar, Mohamed Ben Ali in the USA and Russia. Haj Saeed was also present-Mohamed Ben Ali Alabbar is a member of the ed with EFICA Lifetime Achievement Award forExecutive Board of the Government of Dubai and contribution to Islamic banking.the Director of the Department of Economic De-velopment. Under his leadership Dubai has been Al-Qassimi, Sheikha Lubnaone of the fastest growing economies in the world. Sheikha Lubna bint Khalid bin Sultan al-Qassimi isHe has been successful in increasing the financial the UAE’s Minister of State for Tolerance. She was theregulations requiring transparency, making Dubai first woman to hold a ministerial post in the UAE, where she served as the Minister of Economy and Planning from 2000-2004. In 2000, she founded Tejari, the Middle East’s first business-to-business 151

online marketplace which now has franchises in properties (via the Brunei Investment Authority) in Kuwait, Jordan, Iraq, Lebanon, and Syria. In March the UK including the famous Dorchester Hotel. He 2014, she was appointed President of Zayed Univer- is estimated to be worth $20 billion. sity. Forbes ranked her as 43rd in the World's Most Powerful Women in Politics in 2016, and the most INDONESIA powerful Arab women in government for 2017. Indrawati, Sri Mulyani Sri Mulyani Indrawati ranks among the most power- Sub-Saharan Africa ful women in the world. She is one of few Indonesian policymakers with an international profile. During K E N YA her time as Finance Minister, Southeast Asia’s largest Merali, Naushad economy became one of the 20 leading economies in Merali is a business tycoon who has helped the com- the world and one of the fastest growing economies in mercial development in Kenya. He is best known for the region, partly thanks to a combination of sound owning three of Kenya’s major companies: Sasini economic policies and a stable political environment. Ltd, battery manufacturer Eveready East Africa, She was appointed Managing Director of the World and Sameer Africa. He is also chairman of the mo- Bank in 2010, where she served until 2016. bile carrier Bharti Airtel’s Kenya operations. Merali appeared in Africa’s 50 Richest 2015 by Forbes. M A L AY S I A Bin Hashim, Tan Sri Muhammad Ali NIGERIA In addition to being mayor of one of Malaysia’s most Dangote, Alhaji Aliko successful industrial townships for a period of 26 Dangote is the Chairman and CEO of the Dangote years,Tan Sri Muhammad Ali Bin Hashim served as Group, the largest industrial group in Nigeria. In President and CEO of Johor Corporation for more January 2009, Dangote was honoured for being the than 28 years. He is currently the President of the leading provider of employment in the Nigerian Malaysian Islamic Chamber of Commerce (DPIM) construction industry. In 2011, Dangote was also and has been awarded Malaysia’s Ma’al Hijrah Ap- awarded Nigeria’s second highest honour, Grand preciation Award. His three books speak about how Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON) to realize the highest levels of social responsibility by the President of Nigeria. As a philanthropist, he and environmental sustainability standards while has donated to the National Mosque, the Presidential integrating Islamic aspirations into business practice, Library, and a host of charities. As of February 2017, thereby aligning them with the objectives of the he had an estimated net worth of US $12.5 billion. Maqasid Al Shari’ah. He appeared in Forbes as no. 105 in The World's Bil- lionaires 2017, no. 1 in The African Billionaires 2017, Europe and no. 68 in The World's Most Powerful People 2016. TURKEY Asia Sabancı, Güler Sabancı is a renowned, award-winning Turkish busi- BRUNEI nesswoman and the chairperson of the family-con- Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddahulah, trolled Sabancı Holding, a $25 billion industrial and financial corporation, the second largest in Turkey. HM Sultan of Brunei Darussalam Hajj Ban Ki-moon appointed Sabancı as a member of the HM Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah Board of United Nations Global Compact, the UN’s has been the Sultan of Brunei since 1967. Following highest-level advisory body involving business, civil the death of Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej in 2016, society, labour, and employers' organizations. She the Sultan is the wealthiest monarch in the world. His was recently honoured with the David Rockefeller official residence has over 1,800 rooms and he main- Bridging Leadership Award for her philanthropic tains a car collection in the thousands. He owns many contributions.152

UNITED KINGDOM First Quay Capital and LandCorp Australia and Aziz, Asif serves on the Board of the Whitlam Institute Lim- ited, a Prime Ministerial Board connected to theAsif Aziz is the founder and Chief Executive of University of Western Sydney. He is a Director ofCriterion Capital, which manages a £2 billion prop- Finocracy Ltd (USA) and the Responsible Financeerty portfolio across London and the South East Initiative (UK). His previous positions include aof England. He has made significant charitable number of high-profile public-sector roles. Talal iscontributions across a range of sectors in the UK, a Professorial Fellow with the Crawford School atand is currently consolidating them under the Aziz the Australian National University and an adjunctFoundation. The Foundation's work, particularly professor with the Business School at the Universitywithin the UK Muslim communities, has garnered of Western Sydney.attention. He is also a key donor to various projectsin Malawi, his country of birth. North America Randeree, Shabir (new) UNITED STATES OF AMERICARanderee is a hugely successful entrepreneur and El-Erian, Mohamedphilanthropist and was recognized for his effortswith a CBE. He is the Chairman of DCD Group, El-Erian’s career started at the International MonetaryDeputy Chairman of Al Baraka Bank South Africa Fund, where he worked for 15 years and served asand founder director at IBB Bank plc. He is the Chair Deputy Director. He also served as Managing Di-of Mosaic (founded by HRH Prince of Wales) and rector at Citigroup in London and IMCO, a globalinvolved in a number of other educational institutes. investment management firm and one of the world’sHe has served on Government Task Forces and in largest bond investors, serving as CEO. He is current-2016 was inaugurated as the new chancellor of the ly Chief Economic Adviser at Allianz, the world’sUniversity of East London. largest insurance company. In 2012, President Obama appointed him Chair of the Global Development Shafik, Nemat Council. El-Erian contributes to major economicAn active economist who has held significant posi- publications such as Financial Times, Bloombergtions in international organizations, Shafik became View, Business Insider, CNN, and Foreign Policy. InDirector of the London School of Economics in April 2013, Foreign Policy named him one of the 500September 2017. She previously served as the Bank most powerful people on the planet.of England's Deputy Governor of Markets and Bank-ing, Deputy Managing Director of the InternationalMonetary Fund, and Permanent Secretary of theUnited Kingdom Department for InternationalDevelopment. She has written extensively on thefields of globalization, emerging markets and privateinvestment, international development, the MiddleEast and Africa, and the environment. She wasgranted the title Dame Commander of the BritishEmpire in the June 2015 Queen’s Birthday Honours. Oceania AU S T R AL I A Yassine, TalalTalal has spent 20 years in business, politics, and char-ity work. He is the Founder and Managing Directorof Crescent Wealth, the world's first Sharia-compliantpension fund. Talal also serves as the Chairman of 153

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY Middle East and JORDAN North Africa Dajani, Prof Rana Rana Dajani is a professor of molecular biology, EGYPT and completed her studies at the University of Iowa El-Baz, Farouk through the Fulbright Program. Her initiative, “WeFarouk El-Baz is a geologist who worked with NASA Love Reading”, earned her the Synergos Arab Worldon the selection of landing sites on the moon and the Social Innovator Award 2009. Her other distinctionstraining of Apollo astronauts in visual observations include membership in the Clinton Global Initiativeand photography. He is well-known for applying 2010, a mention in the book Innovation in Educa-satellite images to groundwater exploration in arid tion: Lessons from Pioneers Around the World, andlands. The Geological Society of America established appearing in Muslim-Science.com's list of the 20 mosttwo awards in his honour: the Farouk El-Baz Award influential women scientists in the Muslim world.for Desert Research (1999) and the Farouk El-Baz SAUDI ARABIAStudent Research Award (2007). He has received Al-Namankany, Abeernumerous honours and awards, including Egypt’s Dr Al-Namankany made history when she developedOrder of Merit (First Class). El-Baz ranked no. 51 a new standard for measuring patient anxiety andin the Power 100 of Arabian Business. treating it with drug-free psychotherapy, thereby pro- El-Naggar, Zaghloul tecting patients from the risks of general anesthesiaEl-Naggar is an Egyptian geologist and scholar who and the side-effects of sedatives. She is the winner ofwrites and speaks on science and the Qur’an. He is six distinguished clinical and research awards froma fellow of the Islamic Academy of Sciences, and is the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons ofwell-respected by the global scientific community Glasgow, the British Society of Paediatric Dentistry,for his work in geology. He has published close to the Emirates Medical Association, and others. In200 academic articles and scientific studies. He also addition to her brilliant medical career, Dr Abeer isworks for the Arab Development Institute. also a social activist and a defender of women’s and children’s rights. IRAN Sindi, Hayat Salehi, Dr Ali Akbar Hayat Sindi is a pioneer in the field of medical sci- Dr Ali Akbar Salehi was appointed Head of the ence with a number of significant groundbreaking Atomic Energy Organization in Iran in July 2009 scientific contributions. She was chosen among a after the resignation of Gholam Reza Aghazadeh. delegation of 15 of the best scientists in the world to Salehi is an academic and politician who has been explore the trends and the future of science. She is the involved in developing Iran’s nuclear energy program first female member of the Consultative Assembly of since before the Islamic revolution in 1979. He tran- Saudi Arabia, the first Saudi to complete her studies at sitioned to leading the Atomic Energy Organization Cambridge University in the field of biotechnology, after serving as a permanent representative of Iran and the first Arab to complete a doctoral degree in the with the International Atomic Energy Agency. Salehi field. She was ranked by Arabian Business as the 20th was part of the 2015 Geneva Iran P5+1 nuclear talks most influential Arab in the world and the ninth most to discuss technical aspects of Iran's nuclear program. influential Arab woman in 2012. Sindi was appointed by UNESCO as a Goodwill Ambassador in recog-154 nition of her efforts in promoting science education in the Middle East. Her other distinctions include membership at the Clinton Global Initiative 2014 and receiving the Leadership in Civil Society prize.

Asia his work in the field of science, the largest Malaysian university, Universiti Teknologi Mara, named its INDONESIA Research Institute of Natural Products after Professor Mumpuni, Tri Atta-ur-Rahman. He was given the InternationalTri Mumpuni spent 14 years on improving rural Cooperation Award, the highest award of the Chi-communities in Indonesia through electrification nese Academy of Sciences, in 2014. In 2016, he wasinitiatives based on developments with micro-hy- elected as Emeritus Academician of the Chinesedroelectric power plants. Her influential work, which Academy of Sciences, thereby becoming the firstoffers economic incentives for implementation of the scientist from the Islamic world to be bestowed thismicro-hydro system, has been applied in 65 villages honour. The same year, Prof Rahman was appointedacross Indonesia and a village in the Philippines. Co-Chairman of a United Nations Committee onShe was presented with the Award for Community Science, Technology and Innovation covering thePower at the Ashden Awards in 2012. Mumpuni is member countries of UNESCAP.the Executive Director of IBEKA, a non-profit or-ganization whose mission is to promote community Khan, Dr Abdul Qadeerdevelopment via the provision of local energy, mainly Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan is the scientist who broughthydroelectricity, and also clean water. She pioneered a nuclear technology and nuclear weapons technologycommunity private partnership model to build small to Pakistan in the 1970s. Pakistan is the first and onlypower plants equally owned by the community and Muslim-majority country to have nuclear weapons.private sector, and is responsible for introducing an This has made him a figure of great internationalenergy garden to remote villagers. interest. He has continued to use his financial success M A L AY S I A and stature to improve the quality of education in Shukor, Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Pakistan through building educational institutionsDr Shukor, an orthopedic surgeon by profession, was for metallurgical engineering.the first Malaysian in space. He was selected as oneof two astronauts to be trained at Star City in Russia Saif, Umarand was subsequently selected to be the astronaut An award-winning scientist, entrepreneur, innovator,to further Malaysia’s Angkasawan program, which and a tech tycoon, Dr Saif studied at Cambridge andsent him to the International Space Station in 2007. was a core member of the $50 million Project OxygenImages of him praying and celebrating Eid increased at MIT. He created the first startup incubators inhis popularity in the Muslim world. His launch also Pakistan: the Saif Center of Innovation. He is alsoprompted the Malaysian National Fatwa Council to the founding Vice Chancellor of the Informationissue specific rulings regarding observance of religious Technology University in Punjab and is one of theobligations (praying and fasting) while in space. In main forces behind the IT ecosystem in Pakistan. The2010 Shukor was appointed as one of the ambassa- MIT Technology Review named Saif in its list of thedors of Malaysia’s nationwide reading campaign to “World’s Top Young Innovators for the year 2011”,encourage literacy among children. and he was named “Young Global Leader\" by the PA K I S TA N World Economic Forum in 2010. In recognition of his services to the country, in 2014 the Government of Pakistan conferred on him the Sitara-i-Imtiaz (Star of Excellence), one of the highest civilian awards in Pakistan. In 2017, he received the British Council Alumni Award for Professional Achievement. Atta-Ur Rahman, Prof Siddiqui, Irfan (new)Atta-Ur Rahman is the Coordinator-General of the Irfan Siddiqi is an award-winning pioneering scien-OIC’s COMSTECH, the Standing Committee on tist who is best known for the development of theScientific and Technological Cooperation for the Josephson bifurcation amplifier. He was born inpromotion and cooperation of science and tech- Karachi and moved to the USA where he studiednology activities among the OIC member states. In at Columbia, Harvard and Yale universities. He1999 he became the first Muslim scientist to win the is currently Professor of Physics at the QuantumUNESCO Science Prize. In 2013, in recognition of Nanoscience Laboratory (established by him) and 155

the Department of Physics at the University of mater include the Middle East Technical UniversityCalifornia, Berkeley. in Istanbul and Stanford. He was a professor at the University of California and then the University of THAILAND Stuttgart before moving to this current position as Dahlan, Prof Dr Winai head of the research group on Quantum Photonics,Prof Dr Winai Dahlan is the Director of the Halal at ETHZ (Swiss Federal Institute of Technology),Science Centre (HASCI) in Thailand, named the Switzerland. His academic interests are quantumBest Innovation in the Halal Industry by Malaysia’s optics, semiconductor physics, and nonlinear optics.The Halal Journal. HASCI promotes halal man-ufacturing and service through exhibitions and UNITED KINGDOMregional cooperation with halal centres in Indo- Al-Hassani, Dr Salimnesia and Malaysia. Dr Winai Dahlan is involved Dr Salim al-Hassani is a former professor of mechan-in scientific training and has written more than 30 ical engineering at the University of Manchester In-original research articles published internationally stitute of Science and Technology, and the celebratedand locally. He has also produced more than 2000 author of 1001 Inventions: Muslim Heritage in Ourarticles on science and nutrition, writing weekly in World, a best-selling account of scientific and techno-three magazines since 1989. logical developments in Islamic history. Dr Al-Has- sani also serves as the Chairman and Founder of the Europe Foundation for Science, Technology and Civilisation. The Foundation partners with the Abdul Latif Jameel FRANCE Foundation, a British charity which showcased the Guiderdoni, Dr Bruno Abd al Haqq 1001 Inventions Global Touring Exhibition across theDr Guiderdoni is an astrophysicist and French con- UK, United States, and Turkey in 2010.vert to Islam. A specialist in galaxy formation andevolution, he has published more than 140 papers North Americaand organized several conferences on these subjects.Guiderdoni serves as Director of the Observatory CANADAof Lyon. Besides his extensive writings on science, Ghilan, Mohamed (new)he has also published around 60 papers on Islamic Mohamed Ghilan is a Canadian Muslim who hastheology and mysticism and is now Director of the managed to combine a high degree of learning ofIslamic Institute for Advanced Studies. modern science and traditional Islam. Born in Ri- yadh, Saudi Arabia to parents from Sudanese and TURKEY Yemeni backgrounds, he attended high school and Sancar, Aziz (new) university after immigrating to Canada. In 2007Sancar was co-awarded (along with Tomas Lindahl Mohamed began his full-time studies in the Islamicand Paul Modrich) the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in tradition after having made connections with several2015 for his work on DNA repair. His contributions Muslim scholars. In May 2015, Mohamed earned aover the years have shed light on the processes of PhD in neuroscience at the University of Victoria,aging, causes of cancer and how cells work. Sancar where he studied synaptic plasticity in Huntington’sstudied at Istanbul University before moving to the disease, as well as the effects and molecular mecha-USA where he is currently a professor at the Univer- nisms of stress on the brain in Fragile X syndrome. Hesity of North Carolina. He is also a co-founder of a hopes his research can eventually be used to developfoundation which promotes Turkish culture and new therapies which can be used to assist individualssupports Turkish students in the USA (the Aziz & with movement disorders or intellectual disabilities.Gwen Sancar Foundation). UNITED STATES OF AMERICA İmamoğlu, Ataç (new) Elgamal, Taher İmamoğlu is an award-winning physicist whose alma Taher Elgamal, widely known as the “father of SSL156

“He has loosed the two waters—they meet.Between them there is a barrier. They do not overstep.” The Beneficent, 19 - 20 Calligraphy by Hasan Kan’an © FreeIslamicCalligraphy.com(Secure Sockets Layer)”, is a world-renowned Egyp- sclerosis (ALS). He studied at Dow Medical Collegetian-American cryptographer. In addition to being in Karachi, where he earned his medical degree inthe driving force behind SSL, the technology used 1973 before moving to the USA. He was a professor ofto secure web browsing online, his work is also used neurology and cell and molecular biology at North-as the basis for Digital Signature Algorithm (DSA) western University’s Feinberg School of Medicineadopted by the National Institute of Standards and before becoming director of the university’s divisionTechnology as the Digital Signature Standard (DSS). of neuromuscular medicine.He is a recipient of the RSA Conference 2009 Life-time Achievement Award. Ying, Jackie Jackie Y Ying received her PhD from Princeton Uni- Khan, Mehmood versity and was Professor of Chemical EngineeringDr Mehmood Khan is Vice Chairman and Chief at MIT before becoming the Executive Director ofScientific Officer of Global Research and Develop- the Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnologyment for PepsiCo. He previously consulted for the (IBN), Singapore. Her interdisciplinary research isMayo Clinic on diabetes and other diseases and was focused on nanostructured materials and systemsPresident of Takeda Pharmaceuticals. He is one of for catalytic and biomedical applications. She hasthe world’s leading thinkers in food, nutrition, and authored over 310 articles and has over 120 patentsinnovation. Dr Khan sits on numerous boards. issued or pending. She is the Editor-in-Chief of Nano Today. She was elected as a Materials Research Siddique, Prof Teepu Society Fellow in 2013, and has been selected as anProf Siddique is a neurologist and scientist known for Inaugural Inductee for The Singapore Women’s Hallhis groundbreaking discoveries concerning genetic of Fame in 2014. In 2017, she was awarded the Abdealiand molecular abnormalities. He was head of the Taybali Lifetime Achievement Award by Speaker ofteam that discovered the cause behind the mysterious Parliament Halimah Yacob.and deadly disorder known as amyotrophic lateral 157

ARTS & CULTURE Middle East and prominent news networks such as The New York North Africa Times, BBC, ABC, and Fox News. ALGERIA El-Wakil, Abdel-Wahed Mosteghanemi, Ahlam Abdel-Wahed El-Wakil is an international architectAhlam Mosteghanemi is a best-selling author who and a contemporary icon of Islamic architecture. Ahas won numerous prizes, including the Naguib student of the famous Hassan Fathy, El-Wakil hasMahfouz Prize for Memory in the Flesh, a novel designed over 50 buildings around the world, includ-about Algeria’s struggle against foreign domination ing one for the Prince of Wales. He is the two-timeand the problems that plagued the emerging nation recipient of the Aga Khan Award for Architectureafter its independence. Written in Arabic, the book and received first prize for the design of contempo-has sold over a million copies. Although Algerian, rary mosque architecture in Riyadh.she earned her PhD at Sorbonne in France and nowlives in Beirut. She is the first contemporary Arab IRANauthor to sell millions of copies of her work and Majidi, Majiddominate book charts for years in Lebanon, Jordan, Majid Majidi is an Iranian film director whose filmsSyria, Tunisia, and the UAE. Arabian Business ranked have won many international awards. His Childrenher as 70th in the The World's Most Influential Arab of Heaven was nominated for Best Foreign Film atWomen. In 2014, she received the Best Arabic Writer the Academy Awards. In August 2015, he releasedaward during the Beirut International Award Festival. the first part of an intended trilogy on the life of theIn 2016, she was named UNESCO Artist for Peace. Prophet (PBUH), with Muhammad: The Messenger of God being the most expensive film in Iranian movie history ($40 million). EGYPT Nazeri, Shahram Shahram Nazeri is a world-famous icon of classical Al-Aswany, Alaa Persian, folkloric Kurdish, and Sufi music. Hailed as Alaa Al-Aswany is considered to be one of Egypt’s \"Iran’s Pavarotti\" by the Christian Science Monitor, best-selling novelists and a leading figure in current Nazeri has released over 40 recordings to date and political reform movements in Egypt. A dentist by performed in major venues worldwide. In 2014, profession, Al-Aswany came to prominence for his Nazeri received France’s National Order of Merit. 2002 novel The Yacoubian Building, which has since been translated into over 23 languages. He was a JORDAN founding member of Kefaya, a political movement Al-Baghdadi, Abbas Shakir Al-Fattal for change. He writes a weekly article in Al-Masry Al- Abbas Al-Baghdadi is one of the world’s foremost ex- Youm on Tuesdays. His articles have been published perts in Islamic calligraphy. Born in 1951 in Baghdad, in leading international newspapers such as The New he has had a distinguished career as a calligrapher and York Times, Le Monde, El Pais, The Guardian, The teacher of calligraphy. He adheres strictly to the rules Independent, and others. of classical calligraphy and is averse to modern callig- raphy, especially when its practitioners do not master Badreya, Sayed the art in its traditional form. He is well-known for Badreya is an Egyptian-born actor who played the balance, clarity, and majesty of his works. significant roles in a number of Hollywood films such as Iron Man and The Dictator. His production company Zoom in Focus emerged with the purpose of showing the world the Arab-American story. Much of his efforts in this regard have been publicized in158

LEBANON SYRIA Assaf, Roger Taha, UthmanRoger Assaf is a prominent Lebanese director, ac- Read bio on page 94 in Honourable Mentions.tor, and playwright. With his actress wife HananeHajj-Ali, he co-founded the Al-Hakawati Theatre Sub-Saharan AfricaCompany and the Shams Cultural Cooperativefor Youth in Theatre and Culture, an organization MALIproviding underprivileged individuals with a forum Keita, Saliffor self-expression through drama. Known as the \"golden voice of Africa\", Salif Keita is an Afro-pop singer-songwriter from Mali. His West MOROCCO African music is combined with influences from Lalami, Laila Europe and the Americas. In 1977 Keita receivedLaila Lalami is a professor of creative writing at the a National Order Award from Guianese PresidentUniversity of California, a novelist, and essayist. Her Sekou Toure. His music is very popular in the Fran-novels have received international tribute and have cophone world, and more broadly in Europe. Keita’sbeen translated into ten languages. In 2015, her novel latest album, La Difference, was awarded Best WorldThe Moor’s Account was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize Music 2010 by the Victoires de la Musique.in Fiction. Her political essays have been published SENEGALin renowned media platforms. In 2009, she was N'dour, Youssouselected by the World Economic Forum as a Young Youssou N’Dour became Senegal’s Minister ofGlobal Leader. Tourism and Culture in April 2012. He is a world-fa- mous composer, singer, percussionist, and UNICEF QATAR Goodwill Ambassador. In 2005, N’Dour received Al-Mayassa bint Hamad Al-Thani, HE Sheikha a Grammy Award for Best Contemporary WorldSheikha al-Mayassa is the Chairperson of Reach Music Album for his album Egypt. In 2011, N’DourOut To Asia, an NGO under the Qatar Foundation was awarded an honorary doctoral degree in musicthat contributes to the development of societies in from Yale University. In 2013, N’Dour won a share ofAsia, including the Middle East. Its specific area of Sweden’s $150,000 Polar Music Prize for promotingemphasis is improving the quality of both primary understanding between faiths as well as for his music.and secondary education in addition to achieving SOUTH AFRICAsome of the goals of UNESCO’s Education For Bhikha, ZainAll (EFA) and the United Nations Millennium Zain Bhikha is a South African singer-songwriter andDevelopment Goals (MDGs). She is the Chair of a pioneer performer of nasheed songs. He is knownthe Board of the Qatar Museums Authority and has for his collaborative efforts with other prominentspearheaded Qatar’s recent massive investment in art. Muslim entertainers, including Yusuf Islam andShe was named as the most powerful person in the Dawud Wharnsby-Ali. Bhikha also writes and di-art world by Art and Auction magazine. rects plays as well as creative expression workshops conducted specifically within schools. SAUDI ARABIA Latiff, Rashid (new) Al-Esa, Majed (new) Rashid Latiff was born in Nairobi, Kenya with theAl-Esa has produced several music videos which plains of wildlife his background. He was schooledhave gone viral online. A recent release 'Hwages' in the UK and settled in South Africa with his es-highlights issues faced by women in Saudi Arabia and tablished family run business. He is an internationalhas already more than 15 million views on YouTube. multi award-winning photographer with a keenHis previous video was the dance hit 'Barbs', whichhas over 45 million views. Al-Esa is connecting to 159the younger generation of Saudis and his videos arecausing concern in more conservative circles.

interest in all types of art. He is active on the inter- Calligrapher in Egypt, the first Chinese person to be national photography exhibition circuit. Among his honoured with this prestigious award. His work has achievements are: PSA Gold Medal, Best of Show, at been displayed—often as the first Chinese-Arabic art- Golden West, USA PSA Gold Medal, Best Wildlife, ist—in galleries and museums around the world, in- at Saguaro, Arizona, USA PSA Gold Medal, Best cluding the British Museum, the Asian Art Museum Wildlife, at Maitland, Australia. of San Francisco, the National Museum of Scotland, and the Center for Government and International Asia Studies (CGIS) at Harvard University. The focus of his work is in writing Arabic using a combination of A F G H A N I S TA N traditional Chinese calligraphic brushes with quick Hosseini, Khaled organic strokes in order to uniquely fuse both the Khaled Hosseini is a novelist and physician. He is Chinese and Arabic arts. Also, he was awarded the best known for his three groundbreaking novels that Dubai Islamic Economy Development Centre 2016 have been have been published in over 70 countries Islamic Economy Award in the category of Islamic and sold more than 40 million copies worldwide. The Arts in 2016. Kite Runner spent 101 weeks on the The New York Times Best Seller list, A Thousand Splendid Suns INDIA (2007) was a Times Best Seller for 103 weeks, and Azmi, Shabana And the Mountains Echoed (2013) debuted near the Azmi has been described as one of India’s finest top of the Times. Hosseini is currently a Goodwill actresses of film, television, and theatre. She has Envoy for the United Nations High Commissioner been involved in over 120 movies, both in Hindi and for Refugees (UNHCR). He established the Khaled foreign languages, many to international acclaim. Hosseini Foundation, a non-profit organization During her extraordinary career, Azmi won the providing humanitarian assistance for the people National Film Award for Best Actress five times and of Afghanistan. The Foundation works with the garnered several international honours. She has also UNHCR to build shelters for refugee families. It received four Filmfare Awards. In addition to her also provides economic opportunities, education, and successful career, Azmi is a social activist and supports healthcare for women and children of Afghanistan. issues such as women’s rights, child survival, and AZERBAIJAN fighting AIDS and injustice in real life via the use of Qasimov, Alim mainstream media. She was appointed as a Goodwill Alim Qasimov is an Azerbaijani musician and one Ambassador for India by the United Nations Pop- of the most recognized singers of Islamic folk music ulation Fund in 1998. She is also a member of Rajya in the world. In 1999, he was awarded the prestigious Sabha, the upper house of the Indian parliament. She International IMC-UNESCO Music Prize. Qasimov was conferred with an honorary doctorate by TERI has recorded nine albums and performed in many University in 2014. concerts around the world. According to The New Khan, Aamir York Times, Alim Qasimov is simply one of the Aamir Khan is one of the leading stars of Bollywood. greatest singers alive. Back in 2010, Alim Qasimov His phenomenal success has won him awards in India was nominated for the United States National Public and acclaim abroad. His film Lagaan was nominat- Radio’s “50 great voices\" series. ed for Best Foreign Language Film at the Oscars while his venture Dhoom 3 was the highest-grossing CHINA Bollywood film of all time. He is also a UNICEF Noor Deen, Haji (Mi Guang Jiang) brand ambassador, promoting child nutrition. He Haji Noor Deen Mi Guang Jiang is a renowned mas- performed the Hajj in 2012. He has more than 36 ter of Arabic calligraphy. He was born in Yucheng in million fans on social media. the Shandong Province of China in 1963. In 1997, Haji Rahman, Allah Rakha (AR) Noor Deen was awarded the Certificate of Arabic Rahman is a prolific composer, record producer,160 and musician for the Indian film industry. In 2011, Time described him as the world’s most prominent

and prolific film composer. He is the first Indian to PA K I S TA Nreceive a Golden Globe Award and two Academy Ismail, Al-Hajj SiddiqAwards for the soundtrack of Slumdog Millionaire, Al-Hajj Siddiq Ismail is a world-renowned naat anda movie for which he also received two Grammy hamd reciter, philanthropist, and spiritual leader.Awards. He was named CNN IBN Indian of the He has been reciting for the past 50 years in over 10Year for 2009. In 2004, Rahman was appointed the languages. Ismail has performed in the presence ofGlobal Ambassador of the Stop TB Partnership, a presidents, prime ministers, governors, chief minis-World Health Organization project. A street was ters, and foreign dignitaries. He was presented withnamed in his honour in Markham, Ontario, Cana- Pakistan's national award, the Sitara-i-Imtiaz, andda in November 2013. In 2014, he was awarded an the prestigious Pride of Performance Award, whichhonorary doctorate from Berklee College of Music. he donated to the victims of Swat and Malakand. Obaid-Chinoy, Sharmeen (new) INDONESIA Obaid-Chinoy is an internationally acclaimed jour- Nadia, Asma nalist, filmmaker and activist. Initially known forAsma Nadia is a popular author who has written over her film work highlighting women's rights, she has40 books, including short stories, novels, and non- gone on to win two Oscars, six Emmy awards, thefiction on topics such as self improvement, instilling Livingston Award for Young Journalists and becomesakinah in the family, parenting, and motivational the first artist to co-chair the World Economic Fo-books. Two of her books have been made into movies. rum. The Government of Pakistan has honoured herShe has also established a publishing house, and a with the Hilal-i-Imtiaz, the second highest civilianfoundation to help young writers. She has approxi- honour of the country.mately 5 million followers on social media. Rosa, Helvy Tiana Parveen, AbidaHelvy Tiana Rosa is a prominent Indonesian writer Abida Parveen is an internationally acclaimed vo-and lecturer in literature at the State University of calist, often referred to as \"the Queen of Sufi mysticJakarta (UNJ). Rosa is a member of Majelis Sastra singing\". She is the only woman to reach this levelAsia Tenggara (the Southeast Asia Board of Litera- of influence in devotional music. She specializes inture) and often represents Indonesia in literary events, traditional ghazals, and often performs before stadi-both at home and abroad. She also helped found the um-sized audiences across South Asia and globally.Pen Circle Forum (FLP) in 1997 with the goal of In 2017, she was designated a Peace Ambassador byencouraging young writers. SAARC. M A L AY S I A Qadri, Muhammad Owais Raza Hamidun, Hafiz With millions of followers, Qadri is considered aHafiz is currently the most influential nasheed singer legend in the field of naat recitation. He is known forin the Far East. He is a multi-platinum award winner his passionate performances as well as his beautifulin the music industry with approximately 4 million voice. A devout Muslim, he is particularly vocal onfollowers on social media. the subject of his love for the Prophet Muhammad Nurhaliza, Dato' Siti (PBUH). He has over 2.5 million followers on socialDato Siti Nurhaliza binti Tarudin is a Malaysian media.singer who has won numerous musical awards. Shehas also been honoured for her contributions in Europecharitable venues, and was one of the recipients ofthe Icon of Malaysia Award. FRANCE Sy, Omar A rising star in the film industry, Sy came to promi- nence for his role in the multi award-winning French film The Intouchables. His performance as Driss—an 161

impoverished man who works as an aide to a wealthy Yalçin, Rabiaquadriplegic man—earned him a prestigious César Rabia Yalçin is a Turkish fashion designer. Heraward for best actor, ahead of Jean Dujardin who creations represent a synthesis of local and interna-won the Academy Award the same year. Recently, tional cultures, and are inspired by the opulence ofhe has begun to break into Hollywood, landing roles her homeland’s Ottoman past. With her line Rabiain X-Men: Days of Future Past and Jurassic World. Yalçin Haute Couture, Yalçin has a strong presence in the European fashion scene. NETHERLANDS El Mouhandiz, Rajae UNITED KINGDOMRajae El Mouhandiz is a Dutch-Moroccan-Algerian Ahmed, Rizpoet, singer, composer, producer, performing artistand founder of the record label Truthseeker Records. 2016 was a breakout year for Riz Ahmed, who foundAfter being the first Moroccan to study at a Dutch himself in the lead role of the acclaimed HBO dramaconservatory, El Mouhandiz left classical music to The Night Of as well as supporting roles in the latestfollow her own artistic path, seeking to incorporate Jason Bourne film and Star Wars: Rogue One. Aher cultural roots. She is one of the 60 female curators British Pakistani, Riz graduated from Oxford beforeof the international MUSLIMA exhibition. She has pursuing a career in the arts. He initially gainedrecently produced the theatre production Hijabi some recognition for his music with his satiricalMonologues NL, and the music theatre production song Post 9/11 Blues before transitioning to acting.Home, Displaced. She continues to record, publish In his career, he has demonstrated great versatilityand perform her own music. She is also an Ariane with films ranging from the dark comedy Four Lionsde Rothschild fellow in Social Entrepreneurship and to the well-received thriller Nightcrawler. In 2017, heCross-Cultural Dialogue. received two Emmy nominations for his performance in The Night Of and his guest spot in the final season SWEDEN of Girls. The same year, Time Magazine listed him as one of the 100 most influential people in the world. Zain, Maher Dennis, Kareem (\"Lowkey\") (new) Read bio on page 95 in Honourable Mentions. Kareem Dennis, better known by his stage name Lowkey, is a musical artist whose songs focus on po- TURKEY litical and social issues. Despite becoming successful Çelebi, Master Hasan and popular early on his career, he decided to take Master Hasan Çelebi is an eminent Turkish cal- a hiatus from music from the years 2012-2016 to ligrapher who is hailed for his classical Ottoman concentrate on studying. Since returning, two of his calligraphy style. His exhibitions have been featured recordings ‘Ahmed’ and ‘Ghosts of Grenfell’ , which globally, and he is celebrated for his restoration of deal with Europe’s response to the refugee crisis and calligraphic panels in mosques around the world, the tragedy at Grenfell tower respectively, have met from the Al-Masjid Al-Nabawi in Medina to the with wide acclaim. Blue Mosque in Istanbul. Pamuk, Orhan (new) Islam, Yusuf Pamuk is one of Turkey’s most prominent writers Formerly known as Cat Stevens, Yusuf Islam is a glob- and was the first ever Turkish Nobel laureate. His ally influential British musician and singer-songwrit- ten novels to date have been translated into over 60 er. In 1977, he converted to Islam and left the music languages and sold more than 13 million copies. His industry for educational and philanthropic causes. novels explore many aspects of Turkey’s rich culture His international fame and high regard have probably past and present as well as philosophical questions. As made him the single most influential figure in the field an academic and intellectual, his voice is important of arts and culture in the Muslim world. He made a nationally and internationally and he has voiced opin- gradual return to music over the past five years with ions on Kurds, Armenia and the current presidency. his latest albums An Other Cup and Roadsinger. Islam He teaches at Columbia University, USA. is a vocal opponent of terrorism and extremism, and162 in 2004 was recognized with the Man of Peace award by the Nobel Peace Prize Laureates Committee. He

was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in workbooks, school curricula, and an instructional2014. Islam received three distinctions in 2015: the DVD. The Book of Knowledge and The Principles ofGlobal Islamic Economy Award, the Steiger Award, the Creed educational sets are available and in useand BBC's Lifetime Achievement Award. internationally with Purity and Prayer nearing com- pletion. Included is a children’s interactive website Yusuf, Sami www.GhazaliChildren.org, a pilot school project andRead bio on page 95 in Honourable Mentions. prison program. Translations into Urdu, Arabic, and Malay are underway. The Fons Vitae Ghazali Project North America has been launched with great acclaim in Morocco, Canada, Indonesia, England, and the USA so far. CANADA Zakariya, Mohamed Wharnsby, Dawud A machinist by training, American-born MohamedA Canadian singer-songwriter, poet, performer, Zakariya is a classically educated Islamic calligraphereducator, and television personality, Dawud Wharns- who earned diplomas in three calligraphic scriptsby is best known for his pioneering efforts in the from the Research Center for Islamic History, Art,musical/poetic genre of English-language nasheed and Culture in Istanbul. His work has been collectedand spoken word. and displayed worldwide, including most recently at UNITED STATES OF AMERICA the Museum of Islamic Art in Doha, Qatar. Zaka- Aden, Halima (new) riya designed Eid holiday stamps for the US PostalHalima Aden is a trailblazer in the world of fashion Service in 2001 and 2011. He has been featured inand beauty. She was the first ever contestant to wear several movies, including the 2002 PBS documen-a hijab and burkini in a USA pageant. She was the tary Muhammad: Legacy of a Prophet. Zakariya isfirst hijab-wearing model to be signed by a major represented by Linearis Art.modelling agency and the first to appear on Allureand Vogue’s covers. A far cry from her birth, 19 years South Americaago, in a Kenyan refugee camp to Somali parents. Friedlander, Shems GU YA NAShems Friedlander—writer, artist, film maker, pho- Shah, Ryhaantographer and educator—has published his 10th Ryhaan Shah is considered to be among the best con-book, Mevlana Jalaluddin Rumi’s Forgotten Message. temporary writers in Guyana and the Caribbean, bestThe book contains interactive digital content via QR known for her 2005 novel A Silent Life. Shah is alsocodes. Among his other books are Winter Harvest, an active public figure as the president of the Guya-Rumi and the Whirling Dervishes and When You Hear nese Indian Heritage Association. She came underHoofbeats Think of a Zebra. Friedlander has recently criticism for race baiting in Guyana's 2015 election.been appointed Emeritus Professor at the AmericanUniversity in Cairo where he taught graphic designand painting for 20 years. He has won over 30 awardsfor graphic design. Friedlander has also written twomonodramas and his documentary films have beenshown at film festivals in the US and abroad. Henry, Aisha GrayAisha Gray Henry is the Founder and Director ofthe charitable foundation and publishing companyFons Vitae, which is currently engaged in bringingout Ghazali’s Ihya in English for parents and teach-ers as well as adapting it to accommodate children's 163

“And recite the Qur’ān in a measured tone” The Enshrouded One, 4 Calligraphy by RABIIT / Arts College © FreeIslamicCalligraphy.comAltafsir.comwww.altafsir.com 50Over million visitors to altafsir.‍com Altafsir.com is a completely free, non-profit website providing access tothe largest and greatest online collection of Qur’anic Commentary (tafsiror tafseer), translation, recitation and essential resources in the world. It was begun in 2001 by the Royal Aal al-Bayt Institute for Islamic Thought, Jordan, being the brainchild of HRHPrince Ghazi, the Chief Advisor for Religious and Cultural Affairs to H.M King Abdullah II. Today the websiteis fully operational in Arabic and English and provides the original Arabic texts of 150 or more books of Qur’anicCommentary, Interpretation and Explanation (tafsir or tafseer), recitation (tajwid) tutorials and Hadith collections,and other fields, pertaining to the study of Qur’anic exegesis. Translations of the meanings of the Qur’an are currentlyavailable in 24 different languages, and in several cases more than one translation is available. The site also includesaudio Qur’an recitations; resources on Qur’an syntax; resources on the Contexts of Revelation (asbâb al-nuzûl);resources on the meanings of words found in the Qur’an, and other works on the Qur’anic sciences. It contains overa million pages of Qur’anic Commentary and translation. Some of the texts presented here exist only as manuscriptsand have never previously been published in book form despite their historical importance and influence. Altafsir.com is thus a complete website for the study of the Qur’anic Sciences. In addition to presenting the standard Classical and Modern Commentaries on the Holy Qur’an (tafsir or tafseer)texts of all eight schools of jurisprudence, the site also contains works of various mystical, philosophical, linguistic andtheological currents. Moreover, the first time in one place, comparative studies between the Shafi‘i, Hanafi, Maliki,Hanbali, Ja‘fari, Zaydi, Ibadi and Thahiri schools can be carried out complete with multi-screen displays and searchprograms. In 2012 altafsir.com added the highly praised Love in the Holy Qur’an as a free downloadable pdf, and received 8million visits bringing the total number of visits to over 27 million visitors. In 2013, the Prince Ghazi Trust for Qur’anic Thought put up a sister website www.GreatTafsirs.com with a specialemphasis for mobile devices.164

QUR’AN RECITERS Middle East and Al-Mueaqly, Sheikh Maher bin Hamad North Africa Al-Mueaqly is an imam at the Grand Mosque in Mecca. He left his career as a mathematics teacher EGYPT to become a scholar in Mecca and is now a popular Tablawi, Sheikh Mohammad preacher and teacher of Qur’anic studies.Tablawi is the Deputy of The Association of Qur’anReciters and the main reciter of Al-Azhar Univer- Al-Shatri, Sheikh Abu Bakrsity. He gained popularity in the Middle East after Al-Shatri is an imam in Jeddah, and a leading reciterstudying at Al-Azhar and reciting the Qur’an on of the Qur’an. Although he studied accounting, heEgyptian television in 1956. He is widely recognized has become increasingly influential for his recitationas a leading reciter of the Qur’an. of the Qur’an at international Islamic events, par- ticularly across the Middle East and in Saudi Arabia. KU WA I T Al-Afasy, Sheikh Mishary bin Rashid Al-Shuraim, Sheikh Saud IbnAl-Afasy is an imam at Masjid Al-Kabir in Kuwait, Ibrahim Ibn Muhammadand is also a singer of Arabic-language nasheed. Hehas gained international acclaim through his inno- Al-Shuraim is a leading reciter of the Qur’an knownvative use of technology to promote Islam through for his unique recitation style across the world. Hetwo satellite channels, a website (www.alafasy.me), formally studied usool al-deen (fundamentals ofand videos on YouTube. He has more than 33 million Islam) in Saudi Arabia before becoming a teacher, andfans on social media. subsequently became imam of the Grand Mosque in Mecca. He recently created a Twitter account which has close to 3 million followers. Al-Sudais, Sheikh Abdul Rahman Read bio on page 94 in Honourable Mentions. SAUDI ARABIA Asia Al-Ajmi, Sheikh Ahmad AliAl-Ajmi is a Qur’an reciter from Khobar Province INDONESIAin Saudi Arabia. Prior to gaining prominence for his Ulfah, Hajjah Mariarecitation style as an imam at mosques in Khobar Hajjah Maria Ulfah is an internationally acclaimedand Jeddah, he studied Qur’anic interpretation in reciter of the Holy Qur’an, and is the first woman toSaudi Arabia and Pakistan. He has over a million win an international Qur’an recitation competition.fans on Facebook. She has popularized the Egyptian style of recitation, Al-Ghamdi, Sheikh Saad ibn Said and currently serves as Director of the Women’s De-Al-Ghamdi has served as imam to Muslim commu- partment at Institut Ilmu Al-Quran in Jakarta. Shenities across the globe, and is currently the imam also lectures at the Islamic University of Indonesia.of Kanoo Mosque in Dammam, Saudi Arabia. ElGhamdi studied usool al-deen (fundamentals ofIslam) and isnad (hadith transmission), and is rec-ognized as an influential Saudi theologian. In 2009,he was appointed by Royal Decree as a co-imam forthe taraweeh prayers in the Al-Haram Al-Madaniin Medina. 165

MEDIA Middle East and KU WA I T North Africa Al-Mutawa, Dr Naif Dr Naif Al-Mutawa is founder and CEO of Te- EGYPT shkeel Media Group, and creator of the popular Howeidy, Dr Fahmy Islamic-themed comic series The 99. Forbes namedHoweidy is one of the leading columnists in the Arab The 99 one of the top 20 trends sweeping the globe.World. He writes for the Egyptian daily Al-Ahram, He has been named as one of WEF’s Young Globalwhere he is the Deputy Editor-in-Chief; his arti- Leaders for 2011. In addition to having authoredcles, however, are syndicated to seven other Arabic multiple children’s books, Al-Mutawa holds a PhDpublications. Howeidy is influential both through in clinical psychology and has practiced in the fieldhis popularity and the fact that he has highlighted for many years.issues concerning Muslim communities outside the Al-Mutawa, JassemArab World in groundbreaking work on Chinese, Jassem Al-Mutawa is the president of Iqraa, an IslamicBosnian, and Senegalese Muslims, among others. TV channel hosting programs that tackle everydayMuslims appreciate and respond well to Howeidy’s issues from a modern Islamic perspective, includinguse of Islam as a frame of reference in his articles. spiritual, cultural, social, and economic matters. He has nearly 4 million followers on social media. Mansour, Ahmed Suwaidan, Sheikh Dr TareqAhmed Mansour is a journalist and TV presenter Tareq Suwaidan is the CEO and owner of Gulffor Al Jazeera. He is best known for his coverage of Innovation Group in Kuwait, and was the Generalwars, most prominently in Iraq and Afghanistan from Manager of Al-Resalah Satellite TV. An entrepre-where he published more than 1000 reports. He is neur and TV personality, his shows ranking amongalso the presenter of a widely watched TV program the highest in the Middle East, Suwaidan is alsoBela Hodod (Without Borders) and Shahed Ala prominent as a motivational speaker and author ofAl-Asr (A Witness to History). He was arrested in books on Islam.Berlin by German police at the request of the Egyp-tian government, but was later released. Mansour LEBANONhas published 25 books. He has 5 million followers Jaber, Dr Alion social media. Dr Ali Jaber is a prominent figure in Lebanese and Arab media. Jaber has held several significant JORDAN positions in the world of Arab media and partici- Al-Fares, Ola (new) pated in the launch of several important televisionAl-Fares is a Jordanian lawyer, TV presenter and channels. He is also Dean of the Mohammed binjournalist currently working for the MBC channel. Rashed School for Communication at the Ameri-She has over 9 million followers on various social can University in Dubai. Currently, Jaber is one ofmedia outlets and has won several awards including: three panel judges on Arabs Got Talent, a smash hitYoung Arab Media Professionals Award (2009), Best program showcasing talent from all over the ArabJordanian Media Award (2009), Creative Youth World. Sheikh Hamdan Mohammed Bin RashedShield (2010), Jordanian Model for Successful Youth Al-Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, issued a decree(2011) and Arab Woman Of The Year (2015). She is on July 21, 2014 setting up The Dubai Council forconsidered to be one of the most influential media Design and Fashion. The decree named Ali Jaberfigures in the Arab world. as Board Member along with other talented Arabs.166

PA L E S T I N E SAUDI ARABIA Khanfar, Wadah Al-Ibrahim, Waleed bin IbrahimIn 2006, Khanfar became Al Jazeera’s Director Waleed Al-Ibrahim is the chairman of Middle EastGeneral. During his eight-year tenure at the helm, Broadcasting Center (MBC). He founded MBC inthe network transformed from a single channel into London in 1991 as the first independent Arabic satel-a media network. During this period, the Arab world lite TV station. In 2002, he moved his headquarterswitnessed historic transformation, including the to Dubai. The following year, he launched Al Arabi-Arab Awakening. Khanfar, who resigned from the ya, a 24-hour news channel. MBC now includes 11network in September 2011, has been named as one channels catering to all viewers in Arabic, English,of Foreign Policy’s Top 100 Global Thinkers of 2011 as and Persian. Waleed Al-Ibrahim has received severalwell as one of Fast Company’s Most Creative People in awards for his contributions and achievements inBusiness of the year. Khanfar has a diverse academic business and media.background with postgraduate studies in philosophy,African studies, and international politics. He has UNITED AR AB EMIRATESalmost 3 million followers on social media. Al-Awadhi, HE Najla Omer, Mohammed HE Najla Al-Awadhi is a former Member of Parlia-An award-winning journalist, Mohammed Omer has ment (the Federal National Council) of the Unitedbeen credited with reporting on the crisis in Gaza Arab Emirates and a distinguished media pioneer infor major media outlets including the Washington the Middle East. She is one of the first women in theReport on Middle East Affairs, Al Jazeera, the New history of the UAE to become an MP, and also holdsStatesman, Pacifica Radio, Electronic Intifada, and The the distinction as the youngest parliamentarian in theNation. He was raised in the Rafah refugee camp and, UAE. During her four-year term in parliament, shedespite calamities faced by his family—his father was served on the Education, Youth, Media and Cultureimprisoned, his teenage brother was killed, and his Committee. Najla Al-Awadhi is also the first Arabmother was injured in a demolition—he dedicates woman to hold a chief executive post in a state-runhimself to journalism and reporting on the crisis. He media organization. With a particular focus on tel-is the recipient of the 2008 Martha Gellhorn Prize evision, she served as the Chief Executive Officer offor Journalism. He is the author of Shell Shocked: Television Channels at Dubai Media Incorporated.On the Ground Under Israel's Gaza Assault, a bookthat received testimonials from a wide range of well- Al-Kaabi, Noura (new)known authors, including Noam Chomsky. Al-Kaabi holds positions in business and public life, being the Minister of State for Federal National QATAR Council Affairs and Chairwoman of the Media Zone Al-Ruwaini, Nashwa Authority-Abu Dhabi and twofour54. She is on theAl-Ruwaini worked for Qatar TV and MBC be- board of several media and cultural foundationsfore establishing her own production company, and was recently appointed chairwoman of AbuPyramedia Ltd. Pyramedia is one of the largest Dhabi Media Company's board of directors. Sheand most successful production companies in the has won various awards and is included on manyregion, producing some of the highest rated TV power lists including becoming the first Emirati toshows, including the Million’s Poet and Prince of Poets be ranked on Foreign Policy Magazine's Top 100TV competitions on Abu Dhabi TV, as well as her Global Thinkers List.self-titled Nashwa talk show on Dubai TV. Forbeslisted her among The Top 100 Most Powerful Arab AsiaBusinesswomen 2017 while the Hollywood Reporterselected her as one of the 25 Most Powerful Women A F G H A N I S TA Nin Global TV. Mohseni, Saad Mohseni is a successful businessman, as well as the founder and head of the Moby Group, Afghanistan’s 167

largest media company. The Moby Group has inter- Europeests in television, radio, print, production, onlinenews services, directories, IT&T, and retail. In 2011, UNITED KINGDOMTime Magazine named him one of the the world's Omaar, Ragehmost influential people. Rageh Omaar is a television news presenter and writer INDONESIA who was stationed in Iraq and South Africa. He was the world affairs correspondent for the BBC from Mohamad, Goenawan 1991-2006, when he moved to Al Jazeera English. AtGoenawan Mohamad is a writer, editor, activist and AJE, he presented the documentary series Witnessaward-winning journalist. He is the founder and and hosted his own show called The Rageh Omaareditor of Tempo Magazine, Indonesia’s most widely Report. In 2013, Omaar became a special correspond-circulated weekly. He has 109 million followers on ent and presenter for ITV News, reporting on a broadTwitter. range of news stories and producing special, in-depth reports from around the UK and further afield. PA K I S TA N Salim, Ahmed Hamid, Zaid Ahmed Salim, as producer and director of 1001 In-One of the most influential television personalities ventions, has produced highly successful educationalin Pakistan, Zaid Hamid is a security consultant and and social campaigns which have engaged millionsstrategic defence analyst by profession. He is also a worldwide, and have been used at venues such aspopular political commentator, and is the founder the UN, UNESCO, and various leading museumsof Brass Tacks, a Pakistani think tank on global around the world. His short film, 1001 Inventionspolitics. He hosts multiple, highly popular TV series and the Library of Secrets, starring Sir Ben Kingsley,on geo-politics, Islamic philosophy, Muslim history, has been downloaded 25 million times and won 27and Dr Iqbal's vision for Pakistan. He maintains a international gold and grand prix awards. To supporthuge audience within Pakistani society, with millions the UN International Year of Light 2015, he launchedof followers on social media, especially among the a global campaign through science exhibits, festivals,youth and Armed Forces. In 2015, he was arrested school learning materials, competitions, and a shortby Saudi authorities while on umrah because of his feature film starring Omar Sharif in what was his lastopposition to the proposed Pakistani participation acting role before his death in July 2015.in the Saudi Arabian-led intervention in Yemen. Hewas released shortly afterwards. Iqbal, Salman North America Mr Salman Iqbal owns ARY Digital Network, the largest media network in Pakistan. The network's UNITED STATES OF AMERICA reach covers Pakistan, the Middle East, Europe, Mohyeldin, Ayman North America, and many other regions of the world. He is recognized as an independent media voice in Ayman Mohyeldin is an MSNBC anchor, analyst, Pakistan and one of the most powerful and influential and morning show host. He has interviewed world media personalities in the Muslim World. leaders, politicians, and diplomats, including Presi- dent Erdogan after the failed coup attempt in Turkey. Shakil-ur-Rahman, Mir He reported on Da’ish in Iraq, Syria, Europe, and Shakil-ur-Rahman is the owner of the Independent Turkey. He participated in the network's coverage Media Corporation, Pakistan’s largest media con- of the 2016 US Presidential Elections. Mohyeldin glomerate. The Geo TV network and Jang Group was previously an international correspondent. He are both under this umbrella organization. Shak- covered the Euromaidan Revolution in Ukraine, the il-ur-Rahman is also President of the All Pakistan revolutions of the Arab Spring, and the attacks on Newspapers Society and the Chief Executive and the US Consulate in Benghazi, where he was one Editor-in-Chief of the Jang Group, which publishes of the first journalists to report the situation. His a number of newspapers and magazines in Urdu coverage of the 2014 Israeli War was widely cited and English.168

“That which is with you will come to an end, but that which is with God remains. And He shall surely pay those who were patient, their reward according to the best of what they used to do.Whoever acts righteously, whether male or female, and is a believer, him verily We shall revive with a goodly life. And We shall surely pay them their reward according to the best of what they used to do.” The Bee, 96 - 97 Calligraphy by Jawahir Al-Qur’an © FreeIslamicCalligraphy.comand praised. Prior to joining NBC News, Ayman was this, he was Editor-at-Large for Time Magazine anda correspondent for Al Jazeera English. From 2008- Editor of Newsweek International and Foreign Affairs.2010, he was the only foreign broadcast journalist His book, The Post-American World: Release 2.0, is anbased in the Gaza Strip, and during the 2008-2009 expanded version of his international bestseller. InWar on Gaza, he was the only American journalist 2013 he became one of the producers for the HBOreporting live from Gaza. series Vice, serving as a consultant. Zakaria, FareedFareed Zakaria is one of the United States' foremostpublic intellectuals. He hosts CNN’s Fareed ZakariaGPS and is a Washington Post columnist. Prior to 169

CELEBRITIES & SPORTSMiddle East and Sub-Saharan Africa North Africa COTE D'IVOIRE JORDAN Touré, Yaya Ali bin Al-Hussein, HRH Prince Touré is in the twilight of his football career, cur- His Royal Highness Prince Ali—son of late King rently playing for Manchester City. He previously Hussein and brother of Jordan’s King Abdullah played for elite clubs like Monaco and Barcelona. II—has served as the Vice President of FIFA for When awarded the traditional bottle of champagne Asia since January 2011. He played a major role in for a match-winning performance, he gave it away lifting FIFA’s ban on the hijab in women’s football. stating that, as a Muslim, he does not drink alcohol. He successfully took the Jordanian youth team to the This prompted a review of such awards, and he now FIFA World Cup finals in 2007, and also took three receives shields for his awards. In October 2013, Jordanian national teams to the Asian finals in 2010. Touré joined a campaign against elephant poaching, He is Chairman of the Asian Football Development becoming a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Project (AFDP). Prince Ali assisted in enhancing the Nations Environment Programme. Touré was also educational and cultural values of sports by spreading nominated in the Personality of the Year category at football centres across the Kingdom. In 2015, he lost the 2014 MTV Africa Music Award. He was voted the FIFA presidency election after resigning before African Footballer of the Year from 2011-2014, and the second round of voting. Prince Ali holds the rank participated in the Africa Cup 2015. of Brigadier in the Jordanian Armed Forces, where he served as a pathfinder and earned his military SOUTH AFRICA freefall parachute wings. Amla, Hashim PA L E S T I N E Amla is a South African cricketer. In 2004, he became Assaf, Mohammed the first player of Indian descent in the South African Mohammed Assaf won first place in the popular TV national cricket team. As a devout Muslim, he has program Arab Idol 2013 after his final performance of actively campaigned to remove all alcohol-promoting Ali al-Kefiyyeh (Raise Your Keffiyyeh), a nationalistic logos from merchandise and playing gear. He was Palestinian song and de facto anthem which has now named one of the Wisden Cricketers of the Year in garnered over 20 million views. Raised in Khan Yunus 2013. His bushy beard is instantly recognized the refugee camp in the Gaza strip, he has become the face world over by cricket lovers. and voice of Palestinian youth and the epitome of its peoples suffering. Assaf became UNRWA’s Goodwill Europe Ambassador, was named Ambassador of Culture and Arts by the Palestinian National Authority, and was FRANCE given a position with diplomatic standing by the Pogba, Paul Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. He has over Pogba was the most expensive footballer in the 16 million fans on social media. world when he moved to Man Utd from Juventus for £89 million. A talented midfielder for Manchester170 United and France, he was also named Best Young Player at the 2014 World Cup after some impressive performances for the French National Team. Pogba was born to Guinean parents and is one of a growing number of European Muslim football players who

rank among the best in the world. He has more than which topped charts around the world. He has28 million followers on social media. spoken and tweeted about his faith. Zidane, Zinedine OceaniaZinedine Zidane is a French footballing legend ofAlgerian descent. Born in a poor neighbourhood of NEW ZEALANDMarseilles, he went on to become one of the greatest Williams, Sonnyfootballers ever, winning all major prizes at personal, Sonny Williams is an international rugby playerclub, and country level and winning player of the and former heavyweight boxing champion of Newyear three times. He has been the manager of Real Zealand. Williams converted to Islam in 2008, and isMadrid since January 2016 and already won a number the first Muslim to play for the legendary All Blacks.of trophies including the Champions League twice. In 2013, he was judged the World’s Best Rugby LeagueHis modest character has endeared him to the wider player at the annual RLIF Awards. He memorablypublic. He has 14 million followers on social media. gave away his World Cup winner's gold medal to a young supporter just after the 2015 final. GERMANY Özil, Mesut North AmericaOne of the Germany World Cup 2014 winningteam, this Arsenal playmaker of Turkish descent was UNITED STATES OF AMERICAawarded the Bambi award in 2010 for being a prime Khaled, Khaled Mohamed (“DJ Khaled”) (new)example of successful integration into German soci- “WE DA BEST!”: A phrase that will have becomeety. The player is a well-recognized Muslim who has commonplace to the fans of the artist Khaled Mo-stated that he recites the Qur’an before matches, prays hamed Khaled (commonly known as DJ Khaled),regularly, and fasts. He has a massive social media a Miami based record producer, radio personality,following—one of the highest in the world among record label executive, and author. In recent yearssportspeople with a staggering 62 million online fans. he has seen his popularity and media empire rise toHe received plaudits for donating his World Cup new heights. He is a social media presence boostedwinnings to children undergoing surgery in Brazil. not in the least by the masterfully tactful marketing UNITED KINGDOM campaign centred around his son, “the world’s Hussain, Nadiya (new) youngest music mogul” Asahd.Since winning the BBC's The Great British Bake Offin 2015, Nadiya Hussain has gone from being the mostfamous British baker to being a columnist, authorand television presenter. She has produced a populardocumentary giving an insight into Bangladesh, hercountry of origin, as well as a TV cookery series.She has become a household name and instantlyrecognisable face in the UK, Bangladesh and forMuslims worldwide. She was bestowed the honour ofbeing asked to produce a cake for the 90th birthdaycelebrations of Queen Elizabeth II. Farah, MohamedRead bio on page 95 in Honourable Mentions. Malik, ZaynMalik, a British-Pakistani singer, is a former memberof the popular music group One Direction. In 2016,he launched his first solo album ‘Mind of Mine’ 171

TOP EXTREMISTS IRAQ 1.  Al-Baghdadi, Abu Bakr US Bounty: $25 million Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi is the leader of Da’ish. He is the self-proclaimed Caliph of the Muslims, something denied and derided by virtually all Muslims. His appearance as leader along with the rapid gains of Da’ish in Syria and Iraq were unexpected. Da’ish has been responsible for numerous massacres and atrocities. While they have spared none who disagree with them, their attacks on religious minorities have received particular media attention. There are no confirmed reports of his background, but some reports say that Al-Baghdadi was born near Samarra, Iraq, and holds a PhD in Islamic Studies from the University of Islamic Sciences in the Baghdad suburb of Adhamiya. Reports from 2015 indicate that Al-Baghdadi may be injured to the point of incapacitation, or even dead, but nothing has been confirmed. EGYPT 2.  Al-Zawahiri, Ayman US Bounty: $25 million Ayman al-Zawahiri has been the leader of Al-Qaeda since the killing of Osama bin Laden. Born into a prosperous medical family in Egypt, he completed medical studies and set up a clinic. In the 80’s he was already part of the Islamic Jihad group in Egypt and was arrested and tortured in prison. He went on to become the leader of Egypt’s Islamic Jihad, which he merged into al-Qaeda in 1998. He emerged as bin Laden’s personal advisor and physician. He is often credited with being the “real brains” of Al-Qaeda. Despite a huge US bounty on his head, he has managed to evade capture and with the demise of Da’ish he may move to the fore again. JORDAN 3.  Al-Maqdisi, Abu Muhammad In Prison Abu Muhammad Al-Maqdisi (born Isam Muhammad Tahir Al-Barqawi) is a Jordani- an-Palestinian Salafi leader who became a mentor for Abu Musab al-Zarqawi-the founder of Al-Qaeda in Iraq- while they were in prison together. Al-Maqdisi’s writings are still a source of inspiration for many Salafi-Jihadis despite his criticism of the extreme violence of al-Zarqawi and other jihadis. He is especially known for his book in which he declared takfir on the Saudi regime. Al-Maqdisi was recently found guilty on terrorism charges and sentenced to five years in prison by a Jordanian court. SYRIA 4.  Al-Julani, Abu Muhammad US Bounty: $10 million Al-Julani is the current Emir and founder of the Syrian militant group now known as Jabhet Fateh al-Sham. It is the main force fighting the Syrian regime and until recently was allied to al-Qaeda. It formally renounced links with al-Qaeda in July 2016 in an attempt to show that the group is focused on regime change in Syria alone, and does not have wider regional goals.172

NIGERIA 5.  Shekau, Abubakar US Bounty: $7 millionShekau is the head of Boko Haram, a terrorist group in Nigeria that has carried out anumber of atrocities. He speaks Hausa, Arabic, and English, and claims to have undergonetheological training. He has appeared in videos posted online, most notably after thekidnapping of over 200 schoolgirls in April 2014. In March 2015, Boko Haram pledgedallegiance to Da’ish and stepped up their terror attacks, including a massacre of over 150Muslims praying in mosques during Ramadan. In August 2016, Da’ish appointed AbuMusab Al-Barnawi as the group's new leader, but Shekau refused to recognize Barnawi's authority. However,in December 2016, the Nigerian State Security Service arrested Barnawi. Unconfirmed reports of Shekau’sdeath are regularly disproved with his appearance a few months later. SOMALIA 6.  Umar, Ahmad US Bounty: $6 millionAhmad Umar, also known as Abu Ubaidah, has been the Emir of al-Shabaab since 2014,after US airstrikes killed the previous emir (Ahmed Abdi Godane). When Umar becameadvisor to Godane in 2013, he purged al-Shabaab of its foreign fighters, and oversaw allthe domestic policies of the group. Umar adheres to takfiri ideology and strives to fulfillGodane’s vision for al-Shabaab. Al-Shabaab still carry out terrorist attacks in Mogadishu,Somalia, despite the presence of thousands of Somalia government as well as African Uniontroops. They have targeted hotels and resorts as well as Ugandan and Kenyan troops. INDONESIA 7.  Bashir, Abu Bakar In PrisonAbu Bakar Bashir is an Indonesian Muslim cleric and leader of the Indonesian MujahedeenCouncil (MMI). He was sentenced to 15 years imprisonment at his third trial in June 2011on charges of planning and encouraging terrorist operations. In August 2014, he publiclypledged allegiance to Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi, leader of Da’ish, and his declaration of acaliphate.The Messenger of Allah  said, “A Muslim is one from whose tongue and hand Muslims are safe.” Sahih al-Bukhari Calligraphy by Hasan Kan’an © FreeIslamicCalligraphy.com 173

NEW ADDITIONS TO THE 450 LISTS S C HOL AR LY • Shabir Randeree, United Kingdom page 153• Prof Hamid Dabashi, Iran page 99 SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY• Sheikh Faid Mohammed Said, Eritrea • Irfan Siddiqui, Pakistan page 102 page 155• Muhammad Mustafa Al-Azami, India • Aziz Sancar, Turkey page 104 page 156• Dr Hisham Hellyer, United Kingdom • Ataç İmamoğlu, Turkey page 107 page 156 POLITICAL • Mohamed Ghilan, Canada page 156• Ameenah Gurib-Fakim, Mauritius page 114 ARTS & CULTURE• Faduma Dayib, Somalia • Majed Al-Esa, Saudi Arabia page 115 page 159• Ilhan Omar, United States of America • Rashid Latiff, South Africa page 120 page 159 ADMINISTRATION OF • Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, Pakistan RELIGIOUS AFFAIRS page 161• Dr Yousuf Ahmad Al-Othaimeen, Saudi Arabia • Orhan Pamuk, Turkey page 121 page 162• Mufti Abul Qasim Nomani, India • Kareem Dennis (“Lowkey”), United Kingdom page 123 page 162 SOCIAL ISSUES • Halima Aden, United States of America page 163• Nawal Al-Soufi, Morocco page 138 MEDIA• Maha Barakat, United Arab Emirates • Ola Al Fares, Jordan page 140 page 166• Sheikha Mariama Niasse, Senegal • Noura Al Kaabi, United Arab Emirates page 141 page 167• Sheikh Sulayman van Ael, Belgium • Nadiya Hussain, United Kingdom page 145 page 171• Moazzam Begg, United Kingdom CELEBRITIES AND STARS page 145 • Khaled Mohamed Khaled (“DJ Khaled”), United• Dr Jeremy Henzell-Thomas States of America page 146 page 171 BUSINESS• Lobna Helal, Egypt page 149174

� The �OBITUARIES 175

“My Lord, indeed You have given me of sovereignty and You have taught me the interpretation of events. Originator of the heavensand the earth! You are my Protector in this world and the Hereafter. Take me to You in submission and join me to the righteous” Joseph, 101 Calligraphy by Hasan Kan’an © FreeIslamicCalligraphy.comHE Mohammad bin Sheikh Fehmi El-ImamMohammad Al-Mansour ScholarlyImam of the ZaidiShia Muslims Country: Australia Born: 1928Country: Yemen Died: 24 September 2016Born: 1 January 1915Died: 9 September 2016 El-Imam was one of Australia’s most senior Islamic scholars andAs the Imam of the Zaidi Shia, Al-Mansour held leaders. As a founding member of Victoria’s Islamicsignificant political clout in Yemen. He was also community, he had a major influence on the develop-sought after by Sunni students of knowledge for his ment of Islam in Australia. He was Secretary-Generalhigh (i.e. short) chains of transmission in hadith. HE of the Victorian Board of Imams and also SeniorMohammad bin Mohammad Al-Mansour passed Imam at the Preston Mosque in Melbourne’s north-away on the 9th of September, 2016, aged 101. ern suburbs. El-Imam passed away on the 24th of September, 2016 aged 88.Sultan Abdul Halim Maulana Saleemullah KhanMu'adzam Shah Administration ofPolitical Religious AffairsCountry: Malaysia Country: PakistanBorn: 18 November 1927 Born: 1920Died: 11 September 2017 Died: 15 January 2017Sultan Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Maulana Saleemullah Khan, a stu-Shah, aged 86, was crowned King of Malaysia again dent of the late Indian politician and scholar, Sheikhin 2011. Malaysia uses a rotating system where the al-Islam Maulana Husayn Ahmad Madani, was thekings of the nine states each take turns spending five Sheikh al-Hadith (seniormost Hadith lecturer) atyears as the monarch, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong. Jamia Farooqia in Pakistan. He was also the head ofThe Sultan made history when he became Malaysia's Wifaq al-Madaris al-Arabia Pakistan, the primaryYang di-Pertuan Agong for the second time in 2012. madrassa board of education in Pakistan. WifaqThe first time he served as Agong was from 1970 to al-Madaris administers the curriculum of more than1975. Sultan Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah passed 70,000 madrassas in Pakistan with several hundredaway on the 11th of September 2017, aged 89. thousand students enrolled and producing thou- sands of scholars and graduates each year. Maulana Saleemullah Khan passed away on the 15th of January, 2017, aged 97.176

Khwaja Pir Muhammad Sidi Hamza Al-QadiriAlauddin Siddiqui Al-BoutchichiPreachers & Spiritual Guides Preachers & Spiritual GuidesCountry: United Kingdom Country: MoroccoBorn: 1936 Born: 1922Died: 14 January 2017 Died: 18 January 2017Khwaja Pir Muhammad Alauddin Sidi Hamza al-Qadiri BoutchiciSiddiqui was a world-renowned Islamic scholar and was a spiritual teacher with thousands of studentssheikh of the Naqshbandi Tariqa. He was born in from all over the world, but especially from Europe.Azad Kashmir on 1st January 1938, and spent his Based in Morocco he spread the spiritual teachings ofearly life serving and studying with top traditional Islam through the Bouchichiya Tariqa. This Tariqahscholars of his time, including his father Khwaja was founded by his grandfather who organized armedGhulam Mohiuddin Ghaznavi. In the late 70s and resistance against the French occupation of Morocco.early 80s he began travelling to the UK to support Sidi Hamza al-Qadiri Boutchich passed away on theits early Muslim community, and established var- 18th of January, 2017, aged 95.ious charitable, religious, educational and mediainstitutions such as: the Al-Ehya Trust now known Professor Dr Tuttyas Mohiuddin Trust, Noor TV and more recently, AlawiyahMohiuddin International Girls College. Khwaja PirMohammad Alauddin Siddiqui passed away on the Preachers & Spiritual Guides14th of January, 2017, aged 81. Country: IndonesiaHRH Prince Mohammed Born: 30 March 1942Al-Faisal Al-Saud Died: 4 May 2016Businesss Alawiyah was the Indonesian Minister of Women’s Empowerment in PresidentCountry: Saudi Arabia Suharto’s last cabinet. She was also the dean of oneBorn: 1937 of Indonesia’s oldest and most prominent IslamicDied: 14 January 2017 educational institutions, the As Syafi’iyah Univer- sity. She was a prolific preacher and broadened herPrince Mohammed Al-Faisal was reach through her regular television appearancesgroundbreaking in the area of Islamic finance, set- on almost all Indonesian television channels. Profting up the first modern bank run in compliance Dr Tuti Alawiyaah passed away on the 4th of May,with the rules of Sharia. The Faisal Islamic Bank of 2016, aged 74.Egypt was set up in Cairo in 1977, and aimed to be amodel of Islamic banking for future initiatives. The “Surely we belong to God, and to Him we will return”bank was set up in Egypt because at the time SaudiArabia rejected the idea that interest went againstIslamic teachings; Islamic banking is founded on thepremise of lending without interest. Prince Al-Faisalremained the chairman of the board of directors ofthe bank. Prince Mohammed Al-Faisal passed awayon the 14th of January, 2017, aged 80. The Cow, 156 Calligraphy by Hasan Kan’an © FreeIslamicCalligraphy.com 177

“Truly those who say, ‘Our Lord is God!’ and then remain upright, the angels descend upon them, saying to them, ‘Do not fear, nor grieve, and rejoice in the good tidings of the paradise which you were promised. We are your friends in the life of this world, and in the Hereafter, and therein you will have whatever your souls desire, and therein you will have whatever you request, as a hospitality from One Forgiving, Merciful’.” They are Expounded, 30 - 32 Calligraphy by Jawahir Al-Qur’an © FreeIslamicCalligraphy.com

• Guest •CONTRI-BUTIONS 179

• Contents • page 181 Tunisia and the Liberation of Muslim Women By Dr Abdullah bin Hamid Ali 186 Not To Strike Terror by Sheikh Muhammad Al-Yaqoubi 189 Christians and Muslims: Believers Together in Politically Confusing Times by Dr Paul L Heck 192 We Must Take Back the Reins from Extremists by Faisal Kutty 194 365 Years of South African Islam: From Slave Origins to Living Beyond Contradiction by Shafiq Morton 198 Holistic Education on the Essence of the World Religions by Dr Robert D Crane 199 The Poverty of Knowledge Synthesis in the Modern Muslim University: Implications for the Future Muslim Mind by Osman Bakar 203 Muslim Women: The Wave of the Future by Rajae El Mouhandiz 206 The Myanmar Genocide by Azeem Ibrahim 210 Triple Consciousness: Islamic Institutions of Higher Education, Women, and Sacred Law by Zaynab Ansari 213 Justice, Society and Islam by Hisham A Hellyer180

Tunisia and the Liberation of Muslim WomenBy Dr Abdullah bin Hamid AliTunisia is hailed by western feminist organiza- muftis. The Quartet motioned to have this justice tions as the most “progressive” Arab country ministry decree nullified in order to allow for thein the Muslim world. Government sponsorship of freedom of Tunisian women to marry whomeverabortions, the criminalization of polygyny (a crime they please as a way of promoting equality withpunishable with one year’s imprisonment and/or a men who are not legally barred by this decree fromfine of 240,000 francs), a woman’s equal right to marrying “non-Muslim” women. This is so, evenfile for divorce, and its exemption of wives from the though the absence of the “non-Muslim status”religious obligation to obey their husbands play no barrier to marriage from the personal status codemarginal role in solidifying Tunisia’s favorable rep- could also be interpreted to mean that Tunisianutation with European nations. Recently, Tunisian men are similarly not permitted to marry outsidelegislators added to their list of progressive policies the Islamic faith. This latter interpretation wasthe legality of Muslim women to marry non-Mus- preferred by some, but Tunisian legislators decidedlim men, in contravention of Islamic orthodoxy. the former interpretation was sufficiently substan-Naturally, there has been both celebration and tive to override the 1973 decree.1outrage at this latest effort to further bring Tuni-sia—and other Muslim majority nations—into There are many reasons to marvel at this de-conformity with the demands of widely perceived cision, the least of which is not that legislators instandards of gender equality. Even if we do accept their struggle to balance religious with areligiousthat there is nothing socially hazardous about Mus- concerns have marginalized the role that thelim women being allowed to marry non-Muslim Qur’an and the Islamic juristic legacy is supposedmen, assuredly, for a people who profess to believe to play in the lives of Tunisian citizens per its con-in Islam, there is a serious risk that one is gambling stitution. This has produced a seemingly irrecon-with one’s soul or minimally embracing a kind of cilable tension, which makes one skeptical aboutduplicity. the potential success of adapting scriptural norms to the modern nation state model.2 How does one Apparently, Tunisia’s National Dialogue Quar- adjudicate between the revealed law (Shariah)tet (I’tilaf Jam’iyat Tunisiyah) found a loophole in and law codes drafted by human legislators whenthe country’s personal status code of 1956 to score they clash? How do Muslim governments avoidthis success. The laws that should prohibit Muslim granting these laws the same transcendent status ofwomen from marrying non-Muslim men does not scripture? And how do they avoid misconstruingexplicitly include in its lists of barriers to marriage the public offices, government institutions, and the“non-Muslim status” (ikhtilaf al-din; kufr). It was, processes meant to legitimate rule as divinely deter-in fact, merely the result of a 1973 decree issued mined instruments of justice?by the ministry of justice stipulating that anynon-Muslim man seeking marriage to a Tunisian— The tensions are many with one of the most im-presumptively Muslim—woman prove his Mus- portant being the question of if Islam is a culturallim status in the presence of one of the republic’s or religious identity. Tunisia’s constitution seems to have settled this question by declaring in Article 11 \"“‫ \"زواج التونسيات بغير المسلم يثير جدلا في تونس‬Alarab.co.uk. Accessed October 1, 2017. http://www.alarab.co.uk/?id=106066.2 Perhaps, this is the sort of tension that Dr. Khalid Blankinship was trying to outline in a 2011 post “Is an Islamic State Just An-other Form of Muslim Zionism?” He writes in his concluding paragraph, …I wish the Turkish AKP, the Tunisian al-Nahdah Party, and the youth wing of the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood well in their stated attempt to re-inject ethics into political systems that had been lacking them, even though I fear that the world of politics, being the ground of compromise rather than sincerity, tends always to corrupt.Note that this was said long before the emergence of ISIS, the Arab Spring and President Morsi’s ouster. Also, observe how it showsthat Muslims have long aspired to incorporate scriptural standards into government. By modeling themselves after western nationstates which aspire to treat all citizens equally without consideration of religion and sex, the tension produced by the demand forthe supremacy of “Islamic” values which by its very nature privilege one religious perspective over another should not surprise us.This seems to be equally applicable to ISIS style governments, the sort of government envisioned by proponents of political Islam,and even current Muslim governments which have amalgamated Islam with secular codes. Khalid Y. Blankinship, “Is an IslamicState Another Form of Muslim Zionism?” Lamppost Education Initiative. Accessed on October 1, 2017. https://www.lamppost-productions.com/is-an-islamic-state-just-a-form-of-muslim-zionism-dr-khalid-blankinship/. 181

Traditional henna hand decorationsabout the country that “Islam is its religion” (al-is- the marriage decisions of so many Tunisian wom-lam dinuha). Consequently, children born to Tu- en, one can see how such a law permitting them tonisian Muslims, who make up an estimated 98% of marry foreigners could be so appealing. It’s a realitythe population, are designated Muslim from birth. which solicits the question, ‘Should governmentThat some in Tunisia object to this default designa- play a definitive role in the marriage choices of itstion in order to validate marriage to non-Muslim citizens? Or should it merely act as arbiter in con-men begs the question, ‘Do Muslims really want tractual disputes, marriage being an example ofIslam in their lives?’ such a contract? There are, naturally, pressures to mirror Europe- DOES ISLAM ACTUALLY PROHIBITan nations and to live up to the image of being the MUSLIM WOMEN FROM MARRYING“most progressive.” High unemployment amongmen and limited opportunities for socio-economic NON-MUSLIM MEN?advancement also lead many Tunisian women todesire immigration. According to the National In- Muslim scholars since the death of the Prophetstitute of Statistics (al-ma’had al-watani li al-ihsa’), Muhammad have dealt with the impermissibility30,000 Tunisian women immigrated outside the of a Muslim woman “initiating” a marriage withcountry in 2004 due to marriage. According to an- a non-Muslim man as a self-evident teaching ofother study, up to 71% of Tunisian women dream Islam. But, while there is consensus among Muslimof living in another country as a way of achieving jurists that such marriages lack divine sanction, thehappiness.3 That such conditions exist and drive Prophet’s companions did in fact differ about the marital status of women who convert to Islam prior 3 “‫ ”زواج التونسيات بغير المسلم يثير جدلا في تونس‬Alarab.co.uk. Accessed October 1, 2017. http://www.alarab.co.uk/?id=106066.182

to their husbands or when their husbands refuse to al reference to “non-Muslims” thereby excludingconvert with them.4 the possibility that Muslims, male and female, be allowed to marry Christians and Jews.9 Chapter 5 The companion ‘Ali b. Abi Talib reportedly Verse 5, however, makes an exception for Muslimheld that the woman had the right to remain with men to marry “…the chaste women from the Peo-her non-Muslim husband as long as they remain in ple of the Book.”Muslim lands. The second caliph ‘Umar b. al-Khat-tab, however, was of the view that if her husband Qur’an Chapter 60 Verse 10 turns out to be therefused to accept Islam, they are to be separated. most critical of all references prohibiting MuslimAccording to Ibn ‘Abbas, “If a Christian woman women from marrying non-Muslim men. It reads,accepts Islam prior to her husband, she has great-er control over herself ”, implying that she is auto- “O Prophet! When believing womenmatically divorced from her husband by her mere come to you emigrating, put them to test.acceptance of Islam.5 God is most aware of their faith. So, if you discover them to be believing women, Some jurists hold that the marriage is void due do not return them to the unbelieversto her taking flight to Muslim lands, while others (kuffar). They (women) are not lawful forsay it is due to her mere acceptance of Islam.6 The them (men). Nor are they (men) lawfullatter view is strengthened by the report about the for them (women). And give them (men)Prophet’s daughter, Zaynab, who was separated whatever they have spent.”from her non-Muslim husband, Abu al-‘As b. al-Ra-bi’, for six years, and after being reunited with him The background of this verse is the Treaty ofwas reportedly remarried. This would indicate that Hudaybiyah of year 6 AH wherein the Prophetmerely preceding her husband to Islam invalidated agreed to send back any “Muslims” (written in thethe marriage. Otherwise, there would be no need masculine plural) fleeing from Mecca to Medinato remarry. However, this report is undermined by seeking to accept Islam. Since the treaty did notanother that states that they were reunited without specifically say anything about women nor did itsa new ceremony.7 If true, this would serve as strong signatories apparently envisage the possibility thatevidence for a converted woman “remaining”, rath- any women might emigrate, the Qur’an authorizeder than “initiating a marriage,” with a non-Muslim for the Prophet to give asylum to female refugeeman. The Hanafi jurist, Al-Jassas, claims that jurists converts while awarding the husbands from whomagreed that the woman is not automatically di- they absconded financial settlements that coveredvorced from her husband if they are living in the monies spent on their dowers prior to marriage.same territory (dar wahidah).8 As for the womenborn into Islam, this ruling does not apply. The verse, then, permits for Muslim men to marry these converted women saying, “And there With regard to the prohibited degrees of mar- is no offense in you marrying them once you haveriage, other than relatives—through blood, wet given them their marriage gifts.” Then, as if to of-nursing, and extended matrimonial relations, the fer a lesson in equality, the chapter forbids MuslimQuranic references typically cited are 2:21, 5:5, men whose wives have fled to Mecca to free themand 60:10. Chapter 2 Verse 21 explicitly forbids of the marriage bond. It reads, “And do not clingMuslims, men and women, from marrying idola- to the matrimonial bonds of disbelieving womenters, reasoning that “Those invite to the Fire. But (‘isam al-kawafir). And ask for what you have spent,God invites to Paradise and Forgiveness from Him- and let them ask for what they have spent.” In otherself.” Some exegetes, however, consider “idolaters” words, just as you repay the idolaters settlements(mushrikin, mushrikat) in this verse to be a gener-4 Shaykh ‘Abdullah Bin Bayyah lists among those who allowed for a woman to remain married to her non-Muslim husband if he isno threat to her faith: ‘Umar b. al-Khattab, ‘Ali b. Abi Talib, Ibrahim al-Nakha’i, Sha’bi, and Hammad b. Abi Sulayman.Bin Bayyah, ‘Abd Allah b. al-Shaykh al-Mahfuz, Sina’ah al-Fatwa wa Fiqh al-Aqalliyat. Beirut: Dar al-Minhaj, 2007, p. 357.5 Al-Jassas, Ahmad al-Razi, Ahkam al-Qur’an. Beirut: Dar al-Fikr, 1993, 3/655-56.6 Ibn al-‘Arabi, Abu Bakr, Ahkam al-Qur’an. Beirut: Dar al-Kutub al-‘Ilmiyah, 1996, 4/229-30.7 Al-Jazari, Ibn Al-Athir, Usd al-Ghabah fi Ma’rifah al-Sahabah. Beirut: Dar Ibn Hazm, 2012, p. 1525.8 Al-Jassas, Ahmad al-Razi, Ahkam al-Qur’an. Beirut: Dar al-Fikr, 1993, 3/656.9 Ibn Kathir, Abu al-Fida, Tafsir al-Qur’an al-‘Azim. Beirut: Mu’assassah al-Kutub al-Thaqafiyah, 1996, 1/244-45. 183

for the loss of their wives, you should ask that they tian women, there are no reports of any womenreciprocate by repaying the costs you incurred from in their times marrying Jewish or Christian men.the dowers you paid to your ex-wives. ‘Umar b. al-Khattab said, “The Muslim marries the Christian woman, but the Christian does not mar- What makes this verse so crucial for establish- ry the Muslim woman.”11 Similarly, the Successor,ing the lasting prohibition is its wording. Instead Qatadah b. Da’amah, said, “God made lawful for usof using the more specific ‘mushrik’ (idolater), two chaste women: a believing chaste woman and‘yahudi’ ( Jew), or ‘nasrani’ (Christian), it employs a chaste woman from the People of the Book. Ourthe all-inclusive ‘kuffar/kawafir’ or ‘unbelievers.’ women, [however], are unlawful for them. AndThis would decisively limit the marriage options of their women are lawful for us.”12 This shows thatboth Muslim women and men if taken generally. Muslims have lived since the earliest of times withOne might argue, of course, that since this verse the understanding that Muslim women may onlyhad an occasion of revelation/context, it cannot be marry Muslim men.used as a universally applicable ruling. The prob-lems with this argument, however, are twofold. MARRIAGE IS A CONTRACTUALFirstly, the supermajority of legal theorists adopted AGREEMENTa principle stating that, “Consideration is given tothe generality of the statement. Not the specificity One thing that gender equality advocates seemof the cause” (al-‘ibrah bi ‘umum al-lafz la bi khusus to overlook often is that marriage is a contractualal-sabab). Secondly, gender equality activists and agreement. And, like any contract or treaty, theresecular minded thinkers regularly advance the are compromises which sometimes appear to give“generality” and “absoluteness” of Qur’anic verses an undue advantage to one party over another.and prophetic traditions to support their reinter- The Islamic obligation of wifely obedience to herpretations and revisionist opinions on the Islamic husband and disparities in shares of inheritance be-tradition. It would be hypocritical to then negate tween spouses are typically underscored as “unjust”this opinion by holding up the original context. rules that privilege men and place women at a dis- advantage. This is also said of Islamic orthodoxy’s One might also consider the hadith of Jabir granting of men the independent prerogative tob. ‘Abd Allah that Imam Al-Tabari relates in his divorce their wives while denying a similar right toJami’ al-Bayan wherein the Prophet Muhammad women. Tunisian legislators, however, have decid-is reported to have said, “We marry the women of ed that equality and justice demand that women bethe People of the Book, but they do not marry our allowed to initiate divorce proceedings as well aswomen.”10 The hadith has been graded weak by tra- exempting them from the obligation of obedienceditionists, including Al-Tabari himself. But, moral in contravention of Islam’s historical teachings.revisionists in the Muslim community never real- They have, now, added the right to marry outsidely seem to be bothered by the use of weak hadiths of their religion. It is only natural that the Qur’an-when they fit their fancies. Some, furthermore, ic laws of inheritance are the next target of gendercategorically reject the authority of hadith not re- equality advocates.alizing that it leaves them completely defenseless;Without hadiths one is incapable of making a con- According to Article 21 of the Tunisian con-text-based argument suggesting that “kuffar” in the stitution, “Citizens, male and female, are equal inaforementioned verse means merely “idolater” but rights and obligations.” If that is true, why does itsnot “Christian” or “Jew.” personal status code obligate men to pay a dower for marriage but not women to do the same (Ar- Dismissing the authority of this hadith due to ticle 12)? And why do women still receive half ofits weakness (not spuriousness) still leaves one to the dower if divorce happens prior to consumma-contend with the fact that while the Prophet and tion (Article 33)? Why are men obligated to paysome of his companions married Jewish and Chris- 10 Al-Tabari, Muhammad b. Jarir, Jami’ al-Bayan ‘an Ta’wil Ay al-Qur’an. Cairo: Dar al-Hajr, 2001, 3/716. After relating the report, Imam al-Tabari says, “So, this report—despite what is in its chain of narration [of weakness] is adopted due to the unanimous consensus concern- ing its import—[and] is more applicable than the report of ‘Abd Al-Hamid b. Bahram from Shahr b. Hawshab [prohibiting Muslim men from marrying the women from the People of the Book].” 11 Abadi, Sharaf b. Amir, ‘Awn al-Ma’bud ‘ala Sunan Abi Dawud. Amman & Riyadh: Bayt al-Afkar al-Dawliyah, [no date], p. 1203. 12 Ibid.184

maintenance (Article 38) and nursing costs (Ar- HAS PROGRESSIVE POLITICSticle 48) but women are not (Article 38)? Why IMPROVED TUNISIAN SOCIETY?are men required to provide for their wives andchildren, while a wife is only obligated if she has While human rights organizations havewealth (Article 23)? Why is a husband obligated convinced many Muslims that true justice is foundto pay alimony to a divorcee if she is harmed finan- in egalitarian existence, it is important to reflect oncially by the divorce until she remarries or finds just how egalitarianism has or has not improvedanother sufficient source of income (Article 32)? the lives of Tunisians. Article 23 of the TunisianAnd why are these same men threatened with im- Personal Status Code declares that the husband isprisonment and fines for refusal to make payment the “head of the family”, while maintaining silenton time (Article 53)? Why does the law not also about any presumed obligation of the wife to obeyobligate a woman to provide for her ex-husband him. Rather, the law attempts to proffer equallyif the divorce places him in a financial bind? Why shared authority to the husband and wife, givingis a father exclusively required to provide a home them both charge over their children’s upbringing.for the caretaker of his children in case of divorce The absurdity of the designation “head” is under-when the caretaker has no residence (Article 56)? scored when one considers all the financial respon-Another important question about the equal treat- sibilities borne by the man even though the con-ment of Tunisian citizens is, why is it inadmissible stitution claims that all citizens, men and women,for a non-Muslim mother to have custody of her share the same rights and obligations. How can achild after 5 years of age, while Muslim fathers can? man be the “head” of his family without possess- ing the authority to command their obedience? These questions are posed without presuming This may explain why the divorce rate in Tunisiaall of the aforementioned laws to be unjust. But, is higher than in any Arab/Muslim country withit is clear that Tunisians cannot live up to being approximately half of marriages ending in divorceboth a “Muslim” country and one that treats every despite being hailed the Arab world’s “most pro-citizen “equally” under the law. Perhaps, the most gressive” nation. This is in addition to the negativereasonable compromise is equitable, rather than social impact that divorce has on children.13 Suicideequal, treatment. Equitable treatment, at least, rates are high.14 So is drug abuse, alcoholism, andmaintains the Qur’anic teaching that “The male is abortions by unwed mothers15 (1,146 in 2014).unlike the female” (Q 3:36). Another alternative There are also more than two million spinsters inwould be for Tunisia and other countries to adopt Tunisia.16 One has to wonder, then, whether or nota secular identity wherein government has minimal there is real cause for celebration.interference in the marriage choices of its citizens,merely adjudicating each relationship on the merits CONCLUSIONof the compromises underscored in their marriage According to the Tunisian constitution, “Theagreements. If people agree to be judged by Islamic family is the basic nucleus of society. And it islaws, they would be bound by their agreement to upon the government to protect it.” If this is trulydo so. Otherwise, they should be left to marry as what Tunisian legislators believe, they do not ap-their conscience dictates. This, however, will inev- pear to be doing a very good job showing it. Thatitably open the door to multiple forms of relation- the constitution considers Islam to be the state’sships that, perhaps, Tunisian society is not quite official religion, one would assume that the gov-ready to embrace. But, it is the natural consequence ernment would do more to help its citizens valueof calls for complete equality.13 “Children of Divorce.” BBC Arabic: August 2015. Accessed on October 1, 2017. https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_con-tinue=8&v=C6P9ow7dLHI14 Al Jazeera Staff. “Tunisia Unemployment Protests Spread to Capital: Suicide Attempts Have Been Reported as Protests Spreadto Cities Across Tunisia Amid Anger Over Unemployment.” Aljazeera.com: 21 January 2016. Accessed on October 1, 2017.http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2016/01/clashes-spreading-tunisia-unemployment-protests-160121190816218.html.15 Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, “Tunisia: Situation of women who have had a child out of wedlock, in-cluding their treatment by family members and society; state protection and available services (2011-November 2014),” 9 Decem-ber 2014, TUN104988.FE, available at: http://www.refworld.org/docid/549ab8b94.html  [accessed 4 October 2017]16 ‫ المغرب العربي‬.‫ دعوات لإقرار تعدد الزوجات‬,‫ أكثر من مليوني عانس في تونس‬Al-Maghrib Al-‘Arabi: 25 June 2013. http://www.alarabiya.net/ar/north-africa/2013/06/24/-60-‫الى‬-‫تونس‬-‫في‬-‫العنوسة‬-‫نسبة‬-‫ارتفاع‬.html [Accessed 4 October 2017] 185

that important part of their identity. Notwith- of particular citizens is the best way to preservestanding the pressures that originate from forces their faith in Islam’s moral code. Should a personoutside of the country, there are some blatant con- who resists conforming to Islamic mores and lackstradictions found in Tunisia’s desire to live up to reverence for them be forced to maintain the desig-both its Islamic ideals and ideals determined by nation of “Muslim”? If the person has little interestEuropean human rights regimes. Article 20 of the in living in accord with “Islamic” demands, shouldconstitution reads, “All accords agreed to and rati- he/she be treated like others who are committed?fied by the representative assembly are higher thanthe laws but lower than the constitution.” If that is On the obverse, what lessons can be learnedso, would this not mean that Islam should be giv- from the apparent failure of gender equality legis-en priority to any international accords ratified by lation to increase the relative happiness of Tunisiancongress? citizens? Unemployment, drug and alcohol abuse, suicide, out of wedlock pregnancies and abortions, The allure of democracy and freedom are seduc- spinsters, and an epidemic of divorce all signifytive. That is not to suggest that they are not values that for whatever “progress” Tunisia has suppos-worth cherishing. If anything, choosing one’s faith edly made, it appears that the adoption of non-Is-commitments and the freedom to follow one’s con- lamic standards has only deepened the suffering ofscience are not only important in our time. They citizens. Is it possible that Tunisia’s problems areare also important to God according to Islam’s core the result of the absence of Islam in the lives of Tu-teachings. God does not accept worship unless it is nisians, rather than its presence? Could it be thatdone sincerely for Him. And, compelling faith and the reason so many women see hope and good for-conformity destroy the blessing and credit assigned tune outside of Tunisia is actually due to the failureto good acts. Even if a Muslim accepts Islam’s his- of its governors and legislators to instill pride in itstorical view barring Muslim women from marry- citizens and their identification with the culture,ing non-Muslim men, one must consider whether especially the part the constitution declares to beor not using governmental intervention to compel inextricably Islamic?conformity with things that outrage the conscienceDr. Abdullah bin Hamid Ali is assistant professor of Islamic law and Prophetic Tradition at Zaytuna College in Berkeley, California(2007-present). He holds a PhD in Cultural and Historical Studies in Religion (2016) and an MA in Ethics and Social Theory (2012)from the Graduate Theological Union. He obtained his BA (ijaza ‘ulya) in Islamic Law (Shariah) from the prestigious Al-QarawiyinUniversity of Fes, Morocco in 2001. He served as full time Islamic chaplain at the State Correctional Institute of Chester, PA from2002-2007, and is the founding director of the Lamppost Education Initiative (www.lamppostproductions.com). Not To Strike Terror Guidance, published and Printed by the King Fahd Holy Quran Printing Complex in 1987), reads as by Muhammad Al-Yaqoubi follows, The Holy Quran was revealed in Arabic and \"Against them make ready your strength to its original text is preserved and recited the utmost of your power, including steeds by Muslims today as it was revealed to Prophet of war, to strike terror into [the hearts of ] Muhammad . However, its translations are hu- the enemies, of Allah and your enemies, and man attempts to render its meanings into other others besides, whom ye may not know, but languages; therefore, they are not sacred and could whom Allah doth know. Whatever ye shall be prone to error. spend in the cause of Allah, shall be repaid unto you, and ye shall not be treated unjustly.\" The verse we are going to tackle in this article is, 60 of Surah 8, al-Anfāl. The translation of the verse, as in the most commonly used translation of the meaning of the Holy Quran, by Abdullah Yousuf Ali, (produced first in 1934, and revised by the Presidency of Islamic Researches, IFTA, Call and186

The original Arabic verse, as revealed, reads, 5. Individuals cannot declare war against a state, ‫َوَع﴿ َم َُوداأَ َّوتُ ِعنا ِلُّفدلُقوِهاواَولَ َُِهعم ُمدن َّو َّمَا ْ ُشاك ٍءْْمس َِت َو َفآط ََْعخس ُت ِِبريمي َِلنِّما ِملنل ِنهُق َّيُوُد ٍَةوو َّنِ َوِهف ِم ِْإم َنَلْل ِّر َتَبُكاْع ْملَِطُمَوأَوان َنتُ ُْلهَ ْميُْم َِلاللتُلُت ُهْرْظَِيهلَُبْع ُمولَوَُمن َُهنبِ ْم ِۚ﴾ه‬ not even in their own homelands. It is not our goal here to study the meaningsof this verse or the legal rulings derived from it 6. The responsibility for preparing arms forin Islamic Law. Rather, we will be looking at the self-defence, as ordered by in the above-men-translation of two words, rendered here as \"to strike tioned verse, rests on the shoulders of the State.terror into [the hearts of ]\". However, before we do that, it is of paramount 7. Islam does not sanction terror and there is noimportance to mention the following seven facts: room for tolerating terrorists.1. The translation of these two words is wrong The words in question are ‫تُ ْر ِهبُو َن بِ ِه‬. They are and the original meaning in Arabic is \"to deter rendered in the translation we quoted earlier as, the enemy etc\". This article attempts to prove \"to strike terror into [the hearts of ]\". Several oth- this point. er translations of the meanings of the Holy Quran2. The verse is about the right of defence not at- provide similar or close suggestions. For instance, tack. Aggression is forbidden. It instructs Mus- Ahmad Ali's, (first published in 1984), says \"that lims to take preventive measures to prevent the you may strike terror in the hearts of \". Majid enemies' attacks. Fakhri's translation (first published in 1997 under3. Thus, the purpose of acquiring arms is not to the title 'The Quran: a modern English version), use them, but rather to reach a goal that is to says \"to terrify thereby, etc.\". The Saheeh Interna- create awe and respect in international rela- tional translation (published in 1997) says \"by tions. which you may terrify the enemy of Allah and your4. Jihad is the obligation of the State not of indi- enemy\". Abdul Haleem's (published in 2004) sug- viduals. It is done via military service in official gests \"to frighten off God’s enemies and yours\". Two armies. translations differ from the above. Muhammad Marmaduke Pickthall provides an alternative to \"strike terror\" that softens the force of the word but does not penetrate to its deep meaning. He sug- gests \"that thereby you may dismay the enemy of Allah\". Finally, Muhsin Khan suggests \"to threaten the enemy of Allah and your enemy\". 187

I believe these translations of the words ‫تُ ْر ِه ُبو َن‬ emphasised by the top exegetists (commentators ‫بِ ِه‬ are not precise and may lead people to believe on the Holy Quran), that the means are not fight- that striking terror or terrifying enemies by the use ing or using arms, but preparing them. of arms is legitimate. It is not. This verse is one of The goal is not to terrify or terrorise Muslim's the major verses that speak of Jihad as the right of enemies, if that hwaodubldeehnamveeabnete,nthuesesdp:eci‫ َن‬f‫و‬ic‫تي ُف‬rِ ُo\"— otot self-defence, not the right to attack. The verse itself for fear - ‫ َخ ْوف‬- was revealed after the battle of Badr, when Mus- frighten\"—has the same number of letters as ‫تُ ْر ِه ُبون‬, lims were not prepared, so that they would pre- and it rhymes the same and comes with the same pare themselves in case they were attacked. (Abū alliteration. The Quran is impeccable in its chosen Hayyān, v. 4, p. 511). But when Muslims read in its words. We believe that the word ‫ تُ ْر ِه ُبون‬was chosen translation \"to strike terror\", some may be led to be- in order to point out the awe and respect that is lieve that they should launch attacks and that their needed in international relations to prevent ene- terror is justified. mies from launching attacks. Muslims can achieve this by acquiring the best arms without using them. The meaning of the word turhibūna ‫تُ ْر ِهبُو َن‬, as This is what is known today as the principle of de- presented in Ibn Manz’ūr’s Lisān al-Arab, and Ibn terrence. Fāris’ Maqāyīs al-Lughah, is a degree of fear cou- There are over fifteen different Arabic words de- pled with awe. The root is rahiba ‫ َر ِه َب‬which is used noting various degrees and types of fear, (Ibrahim in contrast with desire raghiba ‫ َر ِغ َب‬. From the same al-Yāzaji, Nuj'at al-Rā'id v. 2, p. 200), the most gen- root comes the word rāhib ‫ َرا ِهب‬, a monk, a religious eral of which is khouf \"‫ \" َخ ْوف‬i.e., \"fear\". The exget- man who secludes himself from worldly life and ists of the Quran used it not because rahab \"‫\" َر َهب‬ devotes himself to God, because he inspires awe. and khouf \"‫ \" َخ ْوف‬are synonyms, but because \"‫\" َخ ْوف‬ The verb tarahhaba ‫ تَ َر َّه َب‬means to seclude oneself includes all types of fear. This style of explanation for a religious reason. igsenkneroawl\"norasin, \"Aexrpalbaiicn‫م‬iِّ n‫ َعا‬gْ‫بِال‬t‫ص‬hِّe‫ْلَا‬sp‫ ا‬e‫ي ُر‬c‫ِس‬if‫ ْف‬i‫َت‬c. by use of the \"Terror\", as defined in \"the Oxford English The word used in the verse, then, means \"to in- Dictionary\", is \"the state of being terrified or great- stil fear inspired by awe and respect\", not \"to terrify\" ly frightened; intense fear, fright or dread\". (The or \"to strike terror\". The verse, contrary to what may Oxford English Dictionary, 2nd edn 1998). With be understood from some English translations, \"terror\" being an extreme degree of fear, it is un- does not speak of inflicting any harm on the en- derstandable how \"terrorism\" was coined, as the emy, but of preparing arms to prevent the enemy relationship is etymologically explained. However, from attacking Muslims. Imam ibn Jarīr al-Tabari the issue in Arabic is different. Modern Standard (d. 310 AH 923 CE) explains the meaning of the Arabic chose the infinitive form \"irhāb\" ‫ ِإ ْر َهاب‬to verse in a clear way when he says \"to make, by your denote terrorism. There no barrier to coining new preparation of those, the enemy of Allah and your terms in Arabic, or to giving new meanings to al- enemy amongst the polytheists afraid\". In Arabic, ready known words. But the problem here is that several forms of the Arabic three-root verb \"rahiba\" ‫ تخيفون بإعدادكم ذلك عد َّو الله وعدوكم من المشركين‬:‫\"يقول‬ ‫ َر ِه َب‬are used in classical Arabic to denote awe-type \")‫(ترهبون به عدو الله وعدوكم‬ fear, on a level much different from what \"irhāb / terrorism\" means. Therefore, the Holy Quran ab- (al-Tabari 10:21). It is interesting how he refers solutely cannot be interpreted according to the the pronoun in al-Jārr wal-majrūr ‫ بِ ِه‬to the prepa- modern meanings and usages of its words—simply ration of arms and horses not to their use. Al-Bay- because it is not a modern text. dāwi (d. 685 AH 1286 CE) provided the same Based on the meaning of the Arabic word interpretation referring the pronoun in ‫ بِ ِه‬to either \"turhibūna\" ‫ تُ ْر ِه ُبون‬and its tafsiīr in the most relia- the preparation or the capability mentioned in the ble classical works, the best translation of the verse verb ‫ا ْستَ َط ْع ُت ْم‬. (al-Baydāwi 1: 483). This would mean is \"to thereby deter the enemy of Allah and your ‘‘by your capability of having arms’’. So, according enemy\" (i.e. from attacking you). The verse does to this second meaning offered by al-Baydāwi, the not in any way order or sanction attacks against ability to have arms is enough to instil fear in the non-Muslims, not even enemies, let alone allies. enemy. This part bihī ‫ بِ ِه‬which means \"thereby\" is It talks about preventive measures, not actions of missing in several of the translations quoted above, which could be misleading. This is very important because the preposition ‫ ب‬denotes the instrument by which this fear or awe is achieved. It is clear, as188

terror.  \"deter\" is the German Max Henning's (first pub- The word \"deter\" is the best word fitting this lished in 1901) edited by Murad Wilfried Hof- mann (published in 2001). He uses the word, ab-context because it means to keep away from terror, zuschrecken, which can be translated as \"to deter\"not to strike terror. This is what its etymology sug- or \"to scare away\", consisting of ab, \"away, off \" andgests, de is the Latin prefix that means \"away from\", schrecken, \"to frighten\".and terrere means \"to frighten\". The verse we tackled here is an example of the The oldest translation I have found to use \"to errors found in the translations of the meanings ofstrike terror\" is George Sale's, first published in the Qur'an. The list is a long one to the point that1734, which he claimed to have translated directly I feel a new translation is needed. It is not aboutfrom Arabic, (I have in my library an 1880 edition the style or the vocabulary, but about the subtletiespublished by Frederick Warne and Co., London of the Arabic language of which the Quran is theand New York). He says \"Therefore prepare against most eloquent text.them what force ye are able, and troops of horse,whereby ye may strike a terror into the enemy of It remains to be repeated and emphasised thatGod\".  this verse does not speak to individuals. \"Prepara- tions\" in this context are the responsibility of the The error in the translation of this verse is also State. Therefore, Muslims as individuals are notfound in some other languages. For example, sev- being addressed here. Jihad, in its best forms, is theeral French translations, including the famous obligation of the State. That is established now byHamidullah translation, use afin d'effrayer which the military service system in the national armies ofmeans \"to frighten\". K. V. Zetterstéen's Swedish Muslim countries. Jihad is not the obligation of in-translation (first published in 1917) renders it as dividuals. Thus, even \"deterrence\", as referred to införskräcka, \"to terrify\". Muhammad Knut Bernstom this verse, is the duty of the State. There is no room(his translation was published first in 1998) pro- in Islam for terror. Terrorising people or entities inposes injagar skräck, which is a direct translation of the name of God is against Islam. No sacred text\"to strike terror\". can justify committing acts of terrorism. One translation that uses something similar toSheikh al-Yaqoubi is a widely respected religious scholar who also has a significant spiritual following worldwide. He is sought after byinternational media for his insights on current events in the Middle East and religious affairs in general.List of references:al-Baydāwi, Nasir al-Din Abu al-Khair 'Abdullah ibn 'Umar, Tafsīr, Anwār al-Tanzīl, Istanbul, 1879Abū Hayyān al-Andalusi, al-Bahr al-Muhīt, Cairo, Egypt, 1910al-Tabari, Muhammad ibn Jarīr: Tafsīr, Jāmi'ul Bayān, Boulāq, Egypt, 1909al-Yāzaji, Ibrahim: Nuj'at al-Ra'id, 2nd edn, Beyrut, 1913Christians and Muslims: Believers Together in Politically Confusing Timesby Paul L HeckThere are a lot of forces in the world that want a single people, sharing the same villages and the us Muslims and Christians to see each other same customs and culture. Despite religious differ-as enemies. This makes it important for us, along ences, they realized God’s care isn’t limited to anywith our Jewish brothers and sisters, to think deep- one group.ly about what it means to live together as believerswho aim to love and please God. It’s important to emphasize this last point. They lived together in peace not despite but because of Nicholas Doumanis, author of Before the Na- the faith. Religion taught them that they had ation: Muslim-Christian Co-Existence and its De- common destiny and that they were to interact onstruction in Late Ottoman Anatolia (Oxford 2013), the basis of moral principles. How could they everoffers perspective. For centuries, the Muslims and view each other as enemies?Christians of Anatolia lived together in peace. Andit was more than mere co-existence. They were Global events changed everything. Nationalist wars broke out at the start of the twentieth centu- 189

ry. The Muslims and Christians of Anatolia were with one another if they hope to preserve theirmade to view one another not through the lens of moral commitments.moral principles but nationalist identity. Chris-tians were to view Muslims as Turks, not as neigh- Too many forces today want us to see each otherbors and friends, and Muslims were to view Chris- as enemies. And that puts our beliefs and values attians as Greeks. The consequences were tragic. And risk. It’s going to take a lot of work to counter theseyet even amidst nationalist clashes, trust persisted. forces. Are we ready? It’s so easy to fall into echoMuslims and Christians of Anatolia remembered chambers of stereotypes and suspicions. And it’s inthe goodness that bound them together for centu- those echo chambers that enmity is fostered, givingries. That goodness defined who they truly were as Satan the opportunity to sow the lies by which hebelievers before God, not nationalist identities. thrives. We Muslims and Christians help Satan do his work when we fail to recognize we need one an- The lesson for today? It’s in our lived experi- other—not just for co-existence but to preserve aences with one another on the local level that we moral way of life pleasing to God.discover and live out our moral commitments. It’seasy for us Christians and Muslims to let glob- Scripture warns us of this peril. The Qur’anal conflicts define how we view one another. We speaks of unjust people who lie about God andhear the horror stories—people killed for their be- seek to twist God’s way (sabīl Allah yabtaghūnahāliefs, refugees washed up on foreign shores, ethnic ‘iwajan, Surat Hūd 19), and the Bible speaks ofconflict. And it’s easy to point the finger and pull wicked people who pervert the truth (fa-yabruzthe wagons around our group. But to do so is to al-haqqu mu‘awwajan, Habakkuk 1:4). There’s norisk our faith traditions that call us to a new life shortage of examples of people who try to associ-greater than ourselves. More than ever Christians ate God’s way with their group and its way. Andand Muslims need to enter into pro-active relation it’s often people who are supposed to be leaders. In every country today you can find those withJerusalem, The Dome of the Rock with the Curch of the Holy Sepulchre in the background190

power who sanction hatred because it serves their no cause to fear or sorrow? At that time someinterests. But they claim it’s about the way of God. scholars saw the chaos as indication of God’s dis-Or they say they’re defending the nation. So many pleasure with the community. And so they tookpeople today, youth especially, are looking for lead- the unprecedented step of giving authority overers to inspire them, but that also means they can God’s way to those in power in the hopes they’deasily be drawn into a web of lies. Christians and implement it by force and thus restore the commu-Muslims need to be vigilant that public messaging nity to God’s good graces.doesn’t make us forget who we are as believers, be-lievers together before God, seeking to act for the But they ended up recasting politics as a heaven-glory of God rather than our own glory. But it’s all ly battle, warning that whoever fails to implementtoo easy to confuse God’s way with our own. God’s way rules by idolatry (ţaghūt). It sounds commonsensical but it rests on a precarious as- History also speaks of religious scholars and sumption: Those in power should rule as if mor-sages who call us to be wary of worldly power. It’s tal gods in battle against all that is not God. To benot a call to rebellion. Muslims and Christian lead- sure, Christians and Muslims are to raise questionsers have long valued the role of good governance about what is ungodly in society and lobby forin keeping peace and order in society. Rather, it’s what is godly, but the idea that the state rules in thea question of those in power trying to tap into our name of God risks turning God’s way into a world-beliefs by making us think that power is truth. If ly agenda. This isn’t to imply that God’s way is a pri-power is truth, then the early Christians would vate affair. In a free society, Christians and Muslimshave been wrong in not submitting to the gods of have the right to struggle for the voice of religion toRome. If power is truth, then the early Muslims be heard in civic discourse. Why privatize anythingwould have been wrong in not submitting to the that helps society flourish? But the public nature ofgods of Quraysh. religion is one thing, giving rulers the authority to determine God’s way is another. One religious leader who sought to expose thislie is Tāj al-Dīn al-Subkī. He served as chief judge And so along came Tāj al-Dīn al-Subkī with hisof Damascus in the fourteenth century when Syria treatise on public life in Islam. He was no revolu-and Egypt were ruled by a military dynasty known tionary, but he made it clear that sharī’a is aboutas the Mamelukes. Not unlike Saint Augustine, morals, not worldly power. Much like Augustine,whose celebrated work, City of God, rejects any he argued that religion serves to check the abuses ofattempt to identify imperial glory with the work worldly power. He certainly understood the moralof the church, so, too, al-Subkī—a public official as purpose of government—to suppress crime andwell as a religious scholar—was keenly suspicious chaos and maintain order in society. But he alsoof the very nature of worldly power. He recognized observed how some used it for their own glory. It’sthe need for the sultan in his day, just as Augustine one thing to have strong rule, another thing to userecognized the need for the emperor in his, but he power to dominate others. This is where al-Subkīcalled worldly power to task when it exalted its way pushed back with sharī’a—with God’s way. When-as if God’s. ever public officials use their power to lord it over others, to abuse and harm the weak, sharī’a is there In a fascinating work called The Restorer of to constrain them. Indeed, just as all people, re-Blessings and the Dispeller of Chastisements (Mu’īd gardless of station in life, are obliged to be gratefulal-Ni’am wa-Mubīd al-Niqam), al-Subkī calls out for God’s blessings, so, too, public officials are tothose who would reduce God’s way—sharī’a—to show gratitude to God by ruling not for their owna blueprint for a political order apart from the cen- interests but for the common interest. They are notturies-long heritage of political wisdom in Islam. It to be rapacious, taking the possessions of others atwas a time of confusion in Islam. The Mongols had whim. They are to be lenient when disciplining andswept across the Abode of Islam, putting to death punishing. The reason they’re in power is to rulethe last caliph in Baghdad. Some people feared that with care for God’s creation. God hasn’t put themthe end was at hand. in power to eat, drink, and line their pockets with public money. The ruler shouldn’t think that be- And this is the question. Do we let our fears ing tough on people amounts to strong rule. Andguide us? Do we panic and confuse power with if he builds a mosque and hires poets to praise himtruth? Do we think that political chaos is a sign for his generosity, he’s only confused his glory withof divine displeasure? Or do we pause and remindourselves that our trust is in God—and so we have 191

the glory of God. In a remarkable statement for Group identity rather than moral commitmenthis day, al-Subkī says that public officials should be hangs over today’s global stage, and that makes usquick to defend the poor and always recall that the all vulnerable to lies. Are we prompted by grouppeasant is not a slave but is a freeman and his own identities or God’s sovereign care for all?master (amīr nafsihi)! However, the problem is notonly with those in power. People also tend to con- And here’s where Christians and Muslims havefuse power with truth. They delight when rulers important work to do. Both communities are largeinflict harsh penalties beyond the limits of God’s in numbers and resources. But it’s not just aboutway rather than helping transgressors repent and condemning hatred. It’s about removing the hatredreform. Why do we often prefer displays of state vi- that’s a poison in our souls. It’s healing hearts—ourolence to the leniency that God’s way encourages? own included—at a politically precarious moment, when news of identity conflict make us forget the Augustine, too, recognized the violent side of goodness we know from our own lived experiencespower, but he didn’t call Christians to abandon with one another. I suggest two things that Chris-public life. Those softened by God’s mercy have a tians and Muslims can do to begin this work. First-duty to bring that mercy into public life. ly, they can pray for one another. Muslims don’t pray in churches. Christians don’t pray in mosques. What lesson are we to draw from all this? Those But they can pray for the needs of one another.in power would do well to reflect on the writings It’s a simple practice with great fruit. I speak fromof Tāj al-Dīn al-Subkī and Augustine. Youth today my own experience. Muslims end up in Christianseek leaders to inspire them to live for something hearts, and Christians in Muslim hearts. Secondly,greater than themselves, but all they see are oligar- we can discover our common wisdom. Christianschies that never seem satiated. And all of us easily and Muslims can come together to read the workstrick ourselves into equating truth with power. We of scholars like Tāj al-Dīn al-Subkī and Augustine,want to be associated with worldly power, get led and that’ll help us discover our shared moral com-to mistake power for truth, and end by confusing mitments, and that’s what will protect us from fall-God’s way with our race, our customs, or our na- ing prey to identity battles—and from confusingtion over against other peoples of a different color our ways with God’s way.or creed.Paul Heck is a Professor of Islamic Studies in Georgetown University’s Department of Theology and the founding director of TheStudy of Religions across Civilizations (SORAC)We Must Take Back the Reins from ExtremistsBy Faisal Kutty“ We don’t have enemies, I repeat, we don’t sonnette. Alexandre, before being a killer he was have enemies. We have people who a victim himself. Before planting his bullets in thedon’t know us,” eulogised Imam Hassan Guillet at heads of his victims, somebody planted ideas moreone of two ceremonies for those murdered at the dangerous than the bullets in his head. This littleCentre Culturel Islamique de Québec in Quebec kid didn’t wake up in the morning and say, “HeyCity on January 29, 2017. guys instead of going to have a picnic or watching the Canadiens, I will go kill some people in the The terrorist gunned down his victims as they mosque.” It doesn’t happen that way.completed their evening prayers. Day after day, week after week, month after After speaking about the six killed, the 17 chil- month, certain politicians unfortunately, and cer-dren left without their fathers, the six widows and tain reporters unfortunately, and certain media,the 19 wounded, the Imam rhetorically asked: were poisoning our atmosphere.” “Did I go through the complete list of victims? Bissonnette, the 27-year-old politics studentNo. There is one victim. None of us want to talk charged with six counts of murder and five countsabout him. But given my age, I have the courage of attempted murder is a white French Canadianto say it. This victim, his name is Alexandre Bis-192

who by some accounts appears to be a rabid an- imam at the beginning of this article and the sameti-immigrant nationalist. can be said about the hate that is preached by many in the Muslim world. Too many have been brought The attack on the mosque, Donald Trump’s up on the extremist narrative of “us” versus “them”not-so-veiled “Muslim Ban,” growing hate crimes which harkens back to the darul harb (“abode ofagainst Muslims around the globe, and the spike war”) and darul Islam (“abode of peace”) era ofin anti-Muslim hate in Canada in the immediate Islam which Daesh and those of its ilk seek to rec-aftermath of the killings, reveals the underlying reate. The persecution of non-Muslims or thosebigotry. These also provide evidence of how too deviating from a particular interpretation is rootedmany have been emboldened by rhetoric that has in this worldview which sees Muslims (and only ofmainstreamed anti-Muslim hate in the West. De- your variety) and non-Muslims as inherently andmonisation of Muslims has a long history in West- irreconcilably adverse to each other.ern politics and popular culture arising out of theCrusades and the legacy of colonisation, but it is The dehumanisation of those who are differentnow reaching a fever pitch. In the North American or perceived to be different has reached disturbingcontext, a discourse initially fuelled by a well-fund- levels in the Muslim world. The entrenched natureed network of professional merchants of hate on of this really struck me recently when I was askedthe fringe infected a small segment of the Republi- to peer review an academic paper written by acan Party in the US and Harperites in Canada, but professor of Islamic law at a reputable Universityhas now reached heights never before imagined by in the Muslim world. Rather than challenging ormost analysts. questioning the very idea in his article, the good professor was rationalising and defending the rea- The new bigotry is rooted in the culture of fear sons why under certain iterations of Islamic law theand targeting of Muslims nurtured by too many in punishment for a Muslim who kills a non-Muslimpositions of authority on both sides of the border is less than if he had killed a Muslim. The fact thatsince the early 1990s, but most aggressively since we are still having such discussions speaks volumes9/11 in the “war on terror.” This legacy of “other- of the work necessary to bring the populace out ofing” and dehumanisation prepped the populace this mindset.enough for Trump and other politicians to tap into. The influence of such views among a segment Europe is no different with rising xenophobia, of the religious leadership which is then conveyedanti-immigrant sentiments and targeting of Mus- to the lay public partly explains why we don’t seelims, especially women and their dress. Even insti- anywhere near the public outcry or opposition totutions such as courts and legislatures which are the persecution of religious and other minoritieswhere minorities turn for protection provide no whether it is by the state or even fringe groups. Di-relief in some instances. viding and conquering is one of the oldest strate- gies of those who seek power at all costs. The only The silver lining may be the overwhelming sup- way to overcome this is to see the humanity in allport and solidarity shown by non-Muslims to the of us and appreciate that we all bleed red, feel painMuslim community. In both Canada and the US, and suffer heartbreak.people came out to condemn the terrorist attackon Muslims as well as the so called “Muslim Ban”. What we are witnessing today is a clash of ex-Lawyers, activists, civil society groups, religious tremisms where various factions of extremists ingroups, universities, even businesses have publicly both the West and from the Muslim world areexpressed and demonstrated their solidarity. Nu- addressing and responding to each other. They aremerous groups and even states sued the Trump now increasingly monopolising the discourse andadministration to oppose the “Muslim Ban,” while driving conflict. They are leading the world to a ca-numerous cities have declared themselves sanctu- tastrophe because the silent majorities have cededary cities where they will not cooperate with fed- the forum to them, been shut out or are simply tooeral authorities in taking action against undocu- busy to notice.mented immigrants. As prominent journalist Glen Greenwald notes: Similarly, politicians, civil society groups and “It is often the case that extremists on both sidesactivists have stood with embattled Muslims and of a protracted conflict end up mirroring one an-helped to push back in Europe. other’s attributes, mentality, and tactics. That is precisely what we are now witnessing as anti-Mus- There is much to learn from this for the Mus-lim world. You can substitute the language of the 193

lim crusaders in the US adopt the same premises as their indifference and take back the reins from theISIS and its allies.” fanatics. The first step, as Imam Guillet implied and the Holy Quran instructs: “People, We have I would just add that it is not just ISIS in the created you all male and female and have made youMuslim world and it is not just the US in the West. nations and tribes so that you would recognise each other. The most honourable among you in the sight “The world suffers a lot. Not because the vio- of God is the most pious of you. God is All-know-lence of bad people. But because of the silence of ing and All-aware.” (49:13).the good people,” as the old adage attributed toNapoleon Bonaparte goes. It is high time that thesilent majorities in both camps wake up, shake offFaisal Kutty is an associate professor and director of the International LL.M. Program at Valparaiso University in Indiana, an adjunctprofessor at Osgoode Hall Law School of York University in Toronto and co-founder and counsel to Toronto based KSM Law.365 Years of South African IslamFrom Slave Origins to Living Beyond Contradictionby Shafiq MortonIslam in South Africa, which has endured for 360 durahman Matebe Shah, the last of the Malaccan years, is primarily the result of Dutch interest in Sultans, was one of the three.2the Far East – the corporate ambition of the Ver-eenigde Oostindische Compagnie (the VOC), or One of the men (unidentified) died on Robbenthe Dutch East India Company, founded in 1602 Island, where 56 of the Orang Cayen would even-by a coterie of Dutch merchants. tually be confined. The two others, Tuan3 Matebe Shah and Tuan Mahmud al-Qaderi, were sent to In April 1652, Jan van Rieebeck, a 53 year-old the “company forests” of Constantia.company bureaucrat, arrived at the Cape of GoodHope from Batavia (modern-day Jakarta). His Oral traditions relate that Tuan Abdurahmanmission: to establish a way station for VOC ships Matebe Shah and Tuan Mahmud, a spiritual advis-rounding Africa. er to the Sultan, befriended the slave population at Constantia—establishing the first known Muslim Distant from Europe and the Far East, the Cape community in South Africa—teaching them near aalso became a place of political exile for those who stream, where they took their ablutions, meditatedhad resisted the corporate-colonial VOC. Apart and said their prayers.4from thousands of slaves who arrived at the Cape,182 princes, emirs, advisors and imams were ban- In 1658, the first “free” group of Muslims, theished from the Indonesian archipelago from 1667 Amboyna Mardykers, arrived in the Cape to pro-to 1793.1 Only a few ever returned. vide labour, and to bolster VOC numbers against the indigenous Khoi pastoralists, justifiably resist- On 24 January 1667, the Polsbroek carrying ant to enslavement. The Statute of India prohibitedthe first exiles left Batavia and docked at the Cape the Mardykers from openly practising Islam.5in May 1668; on board were three of the OrangCayen, or Indonesian nobility, in chains. They The Mardykers, seen as company mercenaries,had been captured after the defeat at Soeroesang have left few historical footprints. On the otherin Sumatra. According to local records, Tuan Ab- hand, “free blacks” – freed slaves – would provide covert support to the runaway slave communities – 1 Robert Shell (ed.), From Diaspora to diorama: The Slave Lodge in Cape Town, p. 451 (Cape Town: Ancestry 24, 2006-2007 CD- ROM). 2 Cape Mazaar Society, p. 26, Guide to the Karamats of the Western Cape, 2010. 3 The appellation “Tuan” means “master teacher”. 4 Cape Mazaar Society, p. 23, Guide to the Karamats of the Western Cape, 2010. 5 Ebrahim Mahida, History of Muslims in South Africa: a Chronology, p. 1, Arabic Study Circle, Durban 2003.194