The Question concerning Education

Civilisation and Society V: The Question concerning Education

After the highly stimulating Question Concerning Education, part 1 (see below), which became in effect an extended symposium its challenging lectures contributing vitally to what was a searching enquiry and conversation or ‘conference’ in the true sense of the word, the highly anticipated part 2 “The Way Forward” took place in London on Saturday 1st and Sunday 2nd of August, at Ebrahim Academy.

Following on from the little known but highly appreciated Norwich Academy International Working Conference on Education of 2003 and the series of annual conferences arranged by Al-Andalus Foundation for Education in Granada, this course is intended to articulate an approach to education founded in tradition but informed by experience, garnered from numerous valuable pedagogic ventures. This course took place in London on the weekends of 2nd & 3rd May and the 1st & 2nd August 2015.

Part I: Setting the Scene

Introduction by Uthman Ibrahim-Morrison & Ibrahim Lawson

1. MFAS – a Cautious Welcome: A comprehensive introduction to the practical goals and educational ethos that determine the priorities of the Muslim Faculty of Advanced Studies as an innovative tertiary level initiative designed by Muslims for Muslims.
   Uthman Ibrahim–Morrison FFAS
2. Islamic Education Versus Assimilation
   Muhammad Mujtar Medinilla, delivered by Abdassamad Clarke FFAS
3. The Power of Education
   Dr. Jeremy Henzell-Thomas. Due to a prior commitment, Dr. Henzell-Thomas was unable to deliver his paper in person and attendees received PDF copies of it for their own perusal.
4. The Trojan Horse Affair: Public exposure to the 'underside of the underneath' in the politics of state sponsored education and the 'War on Terror'.
   Farah Ahmed
5. Deoband and the Dar al-‘Ulum: A history and an appraisal
   Moulana Shams Ad-Duha
6. Symposium

Introduction to the MFAS Baccalaureate

Part II: The Way Forward

1. What is called education?
   Ibrahim Lawson, Director of Research at Ebrahim College
2. Futuwwa and Muru'a (manliness and womanliness)
   Idris Mears
3. Community as Education
   Abdarrazzak Goodall

Day 2 Introduction & Reflections led by Ibrahim Lawson

1. Principles of Shakhsiyah Education - a way forward for developing contemporary education models from an Islamic worldview
   Farah Ahmed, Director of Education and Executive Head teacher, Islamic Shakhsiyah Foundation
2. A question of upbringing: Women's Symposium/workshop - Education and the Art of Matchmaking
   Facilitator, Fatimah Dennis
3. Realities of the Free School Option – A presentation by FS Project Consultant, Maddy Orobator
4. Putting into Practice the Pedagogical Insights of Shaykh Abdalqadir as-Sufi
   Hajj Muhammad Mujtar Medinilla

Video recordings of the module