10-Day Residential Dawah Training Programme -15 August to 25 August 08.

 

Knowledgeseekers on behalf of the Islamic Society of Britain present

       An intensive 10-day residential

 

Da'wah Training Course

             August 15th-25th 2008

 

 

 

 

·        An essential course for those committed to the cause of da'wah

·        An innovative, life-changing course, charting new territory and tackling the big questions

·        Showing you how to change attitudes, win hearts and make a positive and lasting difference to society

·        Set in the rural tranquillity of the Markfield Conference Centre (Leicester)

·        Crèche facilities available

·        Only requiring 5 days of annual leave (the remaining days are weekends and a bank holiday)

·        Unique opportunity to meet and build lasting friendships with like-minded people, for the sake of Allah

 

 

 

Bismillahi al-Rahman al-Raheem

 

Dear brothers and sisters,

 

Our presence in Britain is no accident, rather a reflection of God's will and wisdom: so we have a historically unique opportunity and must radiate the light of God in this land, becoming a community of positive purpose rather than a minority of self-interest.

 

As da'ees, we are duty-bound to ask ourselves some tough questions: why, despite years of excellent individual and collective efforts in da'wah, are public attitudes towards Islam deteriorating? Why is Islam still viewed as a foreign and eastern religion, but worse than that, why is it becoming more misunderstood and feared by the day? For instance national polls of public opinion reveal that

 

·         38% believe the presence of Muslims in Britain poses a threat to national security (Harris 2007)

·         40% think it is impossible to be both Muslim and a responsible British citizen (Harris 2007)

·         1 in 5 think a 'large proportion' of Muslims are extremists (YouGov 2006)

 

The success of da'wah in our country will surely hinge upon us understanding the reasons behind this trend and forging an intelligent and strategic response to it. After all, one of the over-arching sunnahs of the Prophet (pbuh) is that he responded wisely and dynamically to every challenge that faced his da'wah.

 

This course is a humble effort, hoping with the help of Allah, to make a real difference, by bringing together scholarly knowledge and practical expertise, to guide students through the complexity of da'wah today. Over the ten days, we will explore the following issues, amongst many others:

 

1.      What exactly is da'wah – preaching, proselytising, or communicating? What is wisdom and how can we manifest it in our da'wah?

2.      How important is behaviour in da'wah? How important is the heart in da'wah and how can we polish it?

3.      If Islamic teachings can stretch over many volumes, what are the key messages that we need to convey, and what is the best manner to convey these ideas in? How do we choose the right time and the right words?

4.      How much do a society's attitudes influence how responsive its people will be to Islamic teachings?

5.      Is there such a thing as 'anti-da'wah', who is responsible for it, and what can we do about it? What are the key misunderstandings that the public harbour against Islam today and how do we respond to them?

6.      What are the stages people travel through in their journey towards Islam? Which of these stages can we call da'wah or are all of them a part of the 'da'wah process'? How can we help along each of these stages?

7.      Does the state of the Muslim community have an impact on da'wah, and if so where do the main problems lie? What needs to be done about them?

8.      How can we improve our communication skills? How can 'listening', 'learning' and 'dialogue' help with da'wah?

9.      How important is it for people to feel that you understand them, when you are trying to win their hearts? What can we learn about the British public in order to understand them better? What beliefs are prevalent in society today, and how do we respond to them?

10.  What is the shari'ah and what are its purposes (maqasid)? What relationship does this knowledge have to da'wah? What is the relationship between fiqh and da'wah and what is the fiqh of da'wah?

 

This is only a sample of the questions we will be addressing. In addition, leaders in the field of da'wah will provide knowledge and practical skills as well as sharing their exciting experiences on how to change attitudes and hearts, including strategies to bring entire communities into dialogue, rather than just individuals.

 

For further information, visit:

www.isb.org.uk/isc or to apply online: www.isb.org.uk/isc/appform2008.asp

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Course structure

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Specialised knowledge provided through five carefully crafted modules:

 

 

 

Understanding

Da'wah

The British Context

The Fiqh of Da'wah

The Heart & Tongue in Da'wah

The Arenas of Da'wah

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Offering structured skills training in either of the following practical modules:

 

 

 

Cyber-Da'wah

 

or

Verbal Da'wah

 

 

 

 

In addition, all students will have the opportunity to receive daily lessons with tajweed teachers, at their appropriate level.

 

[FOR DETAILED CONTENTS OF EACH MODULE,  PLEASE SCROLL TO THE BOTTOM OF THIS MESSAGE]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Scholars/ Speakers/ Trainers

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dr. Munir Ahmed

Dr. Munir Ahmed has been involved in learning and disseminating Islamic teachings since the early 1980s. He has studied for over 10 years with the world renowned scholar of hadith and contemporary fiqh, sheikh Abdullah Yusuf Al-Judai. Under his guidance he has covered topics such as Usul ul Fiqh, 'Ulum ul Quran, Aqidah & Hadith. Dr Munir is conversant in classical Arabic and his area of specialisation is Sirah. As a practicing G.P. married to a convert, and previous President of the Islamic Society of Britain, he has an expert knowledge of the challenges facing da'wah in Britain today.

 

 

Ahtesham Ali

Born in the UK, Ahtesham Ali is a motivating da'ee who has dedicated his life to Islamic work in the form of youth work, inter-faith dialogue and community work. He has studied Usul ul Fiqh for the past 5 years with Sheikh Abdullah Yusuf Al-Judai. He is the Chief Muslim advisor to the prison service (i.e. the 'imam of prison imams') and is also joint in-charge of the national Muslim family event: Living Islam.

 

 

Mufti Abu Layth Al-Maliki

Mufti Abu Layth, originally from Birmingham, has spent more than 7 years in formal Islamic education at renowned institutions in Syria and Pakistan (e.g. Binori Town Islamic University) where he has mastered both Hanafi and Maliki fiqh. He has completed hifdh of the Qur'an with sanad reaching the Prophet (pbuh). He currently teaches religious studies at Al Hijrah School and is completing a degree in psychology. He has a particular interest in the fiqh and history of Muslim Spain.

 

 

Dilwar Hussain

Dilwar Hussain is a Research Fellow and now Head of the Policy Research Centre, based in the Islamic Foundation. He was a member of the Preventing Extremism Together workgroups in the UK, co-author of British Muslims: Loyalty and Belonging and was appointed as Commissioner at the Commission for Racial Equality (CRE) in 2006. Dilwar has previously taught MA level courses on Islam in Europe and Muslims in Britain and has presented papers and talks on the British Muslim context in numerous conferences across the world. He has been involved in designing and delivering diversity training courses for the last seven years and is a Director of CitrusMango Communications, a not-for-profit company that aims to enhance media skills in the voluntary sector. In addition, he has a wealth of experience in inter-faith bridge-building, citizens organising.

 

 

Dr. Naveed Ahmad

Dr. Naveed Ahmad is a dedicated and highly motivational da'ee with years of experience in street da'wah. He is a pioneer in organising da'wah training courses and over recent years, has been the driving force behind numerous one-day training courses up and down the country.

 

 

Mubashir Khan

Mubashir Khan is the chief Researcher for Islam Awareness Week, having written the booklet: 1000 Years of Islam in Britain and the recent One World exhibition. He has been involved in da'wah activity both locally and nationally for over 17 years and has been studying courses in history, politics and religious studies at degree level for the last 8 years. Through his work in the aviation industry he is in constant contact not only with the British public, but a diversity of cultures from across the globe.

 

 

Dr. Basil Hatahet

Born in the Damascus, Dr. Basil Hatahet spent his early years learning and studying Islam from leading imams and sheikhs of Damascus and is currently a student of sheikh al-Judai. He is conversant in Arabic and regularly gives Friday sermons in Manchester. He has delivered presentations across the country on an array of topics, particularly relating to spirituality, the shari'ah and Islamic History.

 

 

Inayat Bunglawala

One of the most high-profile Muslims in the country, Inayat Bunglawala is the spokesman and Assistant Secretary General of the Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) as well as the Secretary of its Media Committee. Whether being interviewed on TV, radio, or writing in national newspapers, he has shown how Muslims can use the media to balance portrayals, even in the most hostile of environments.

 

 

Julie Siddiqi

Julie Siddiqi was the 2006 national coordinator of Islam Awareness Week and is currently a vice-president of the ISB. Since coming to Islam, she has accrued years of experience in da'wah and community work and is currently a council advisor for the Preventing Violent Extremism initiative.

 

 

Batool Toma

Batool Al-Toma is a Research and Education Officer at the Islamic Foundation. A convert to Islam of 25 years, her main area of interest and research is religious conversion and as coordinator of the New Muslims Project, has established a variety of services related to the overall support, education, and continuing development of converts to Islam in the UK. She is currently an assistant Girl Guide leader nationally and works with the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGS).

 

 

Naved Siddiqi

Heading ISB's Public Relations Committee, Naved Siddiqi has developed expertise in making Islamic teachings intelligible to the general public. He is a researcher at the Islamic Foundation and was a founding Editor of EMEL magazine. He regularly features on local radio and provides cultural awareness training to diplomats and foreign office staff.

 

 

Tahmina Saleem

Tahmina Saleem has been the National Coordinator of Islam Awareness Week since 2007. She is a social researcher and has previously represented the Muslim community and Islamic organisations in the media. She is a local authority consultant for the Preventing Violent Extremism agenda.

 

 

Mahmooda Qureshi

Mahmooda Qureshi is the Birmingham coordinator for Islam Awareness Week. She has a long history of community work and in recent years has paved the way in inter-community bridge-building.

 

 

Atallah Fitzgibbon

Atallah Fitzgibon is Managing Director and Presenter of a professional, multi-format cultural awareness project, Reflection Network which has trained staff from the Metropolitan Police, Birmingham Social Services, NGOs, London Fire Brigade and Birmingham Airport, etc.

 

 

Dr. Rizwan Syed

Dr. Rizwan Syed is the organiser of the 2008 Da'wah Training Course, a member of ISB's training and development team and organiser of the 2007, 10-day Islam: Classical to Contemporary course. He has deep and sustained engagement with the public in his capacity as a family doctor.

 

 

        and others…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

 

 

Module Contents

 

 

 

 

 

 

Understanding Da'wah

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Module presented through the following talks:

 

1.      Course introduction and understanding da'wah today

2.      The da'wah of the prophets

3.      The gradual journey to Islam – (why do people become Muslims? The da'wah process)

4.      Da'wah in Muslim history

5.      Presenting Islam – priorities & non-priorities, inspiring people with the message

6.      Presenting tawhid in modern Britain – surveys on the beliefs of the public about God

1. Exploring common values/ appealing to the noble in human nature

 

 

 
 
 
 

 

 

The British Context

 

 

 

 

 

Module presented through the following talks:

 

1. Today's 'priests' – how is public opinion shaped and moulded?
2. Analysing the negative attitudes towards Muslims – just perception or is there some validity as well? Challenging our attitudes e.g.  'Us and Them', Superiority complex – which of us is going to Paradise? Victimhood, moral consistency, etc.
3. Muslim community threat analysis – how certain is our future here?
4. Clash of civilisations - myth or inevitability?
5. Understanding Britain and the British people
6. The history of early Christianity, the history of Christianity in Britain
7. Secular humanism and atheism
8. 'Bedding-in', 'indigenising', 'normalising' the Muslim community – identity and loyalty

 

 
 
 

 

 

The Fiqh of Da'wah

 

 

 

 

 

Module presented through the following talks:

 

1. What is shari'ah/ understanding the Maqasid
2. Understanding sunnah
3. Shari'ah and culture
4. The fiqh of priorities
5. Key principles in the fiqh of da'wah
6. Benefit, moderation and facilitation (Maslahah and taysir)
7. Addressing misunderstandings about Islam, e.g. hudood
8. Fiqh of Muslim/ non-Muslim relations (fiqh of friendship/ enmity/ love/ hatred)
9. Fiqh of engagement with non-Muslims/ a fiqh for Britain (clothing, gender interaction, food, drink, pets, etc)
10. Addressing the fear of 'Global Islam':

(Fiqh of jihad, Dar al Islam, dar al kufr, dar al da'wah or are these terms irrelevant? An Islamic state, Islamic states or secular states? 'Islam vs. freedom and democracy' or 'Freedom and democracy in Islam'?)

1. The character and life of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)

 

 
 
 

 

 

The Heart & Tongue in Da'wah

 

 

 

 

 

Module presented through the following talks:

 

1. The need for a pure and willing heart
2. Spiritual diseases and challenges on the path of da'wah
3. The character of a da'ee
4. The art of conversation – breaking the ice, rhetoric and surprise, body language and psychology
5. Understanding communication: the roles of listening, learning and dialogue
6. Manifesting wisdom – winning hearts before minds - defending Islam and addressing societal ills with wisdom
7. Effective writing

 

 
 
 

 

 

The Arenas of Da'wah

 

 

 

 

 

Module presented through the following talks:

 

1. Supporting newcomers to Islam
2. Da'wah with the Muslim community
3. Building bridges with non-Muslim organisations (learning, respecting and sharing)
4. Muslims and Christians – living and working together
5. Cultural awareness training
6. Islam Awareness Week
7. The media, press and TV
8. Islam in cyber-space: message boards, comments pages, emailing, blogging
9. Da'wah through the arts – fine arts, performance arts, music
10. Stalls and surveys

 

 
 
 

 

 

Practical module: Cyber-Da'wah

 

 

Providing guidance and hands-on experience on how to reach millions with the click of a key

 

• Understanding cyberspace – news websites, message boards, comments pages, blogging, YouTube, Flickr, Facebook, search engines etc. Understanding what sorts of people are found where, on the internet.
• Understanding the Islam Awareness needs and opportunities in cyberspace, understanding power and influence in cyberspace
• Writing skills
• Learning how to best engage with the public through cyberspace - emailing, making and posting videos, dos and don'ts in writing, cyber-etiquette, etc.

 

 

 

Practical module: Verbal Da'wah

 

 

Strengthening one-to-one communication skills and broadcast media skills, largely through stimulating role plays

 

• Practising basic communication skills
• How to present Islam in different settings
• How to tackle misconceptions
• Media training – particularly for TV and radio