I know this probably belongs in Relgion, but I’d rather leave it in general because I want the discussion to go beyond close-minded replies. No offense.
Why is there not enough activity going on in Islamic studies/research? I just had a discussion about that with a friend today. There is clearly a lack of presence of Pakistanis in this field. The field is tiny to begin with.
Not to mention that the lack of female scholars is just too embarrassing. For a religion that preaches about the role of women in society as being equal to man (in society, not in home, in SOCIETY - i.e. careers, education, etc), this is ridiculous.
How much of our culture and old hindu-practices and ideas can we tolerate? Isn’t it time to CHANGE and try to honor the idea of Pakistan being the haven of Islamic thought and practice for muslims of the subcontinenet (notice I did not say Islamic state).
Discuss. No really. Discuss. I dont want childish irrelevant comments here, really.
There is a lot research that goes on in Islam and there are scholarships as well for al-azhar uni. Howver I agree with Lussi.
Islamic scholarships should be given to muslim kids that need financial help to pursue education, not just islamic education.
If Islamic education is needed, there is a madrassah in every gulli, nook, city, village, thanks to saudi financiers, so instead of giving scholarships they opened schools/madrassahs.
are you sure that the representation of pakistanis in those who study and interpret Islam is small? you may not agree with those people's views, but overall i would think that we produce the most per capita mullas anywhere in the world.
i guess what we need is direction and purpose, otherwise they merely remain rabble rousers or perpetual tourists to foreign countries for foreign halva. places like IIUI need to be increased in funding, number and credibility.
There are plenty of female Islamic scholars and many more are on their way(insha’Allah). Perhaps you feel as such because you aren’t familiar with them.
Al-Huda (http://www.alhudapk.com/) in Pakistan is an excellent example of such an organization from where many female and male scholars graduate every year.
I know many female (and male) scholars within Toronto, but many of them have graduated from iffy Islamic places. I also know of a few good places and some good scholars within Toronto as well.
Nonetheless, we’ve got plenty of them and many more are well on their way to become scholars, insha’Allah.
As for the change, I don’t know how fast we can bring about change. Given that most of our parents have been raised in Pakistan/India, they are not willing to give up the Hindu practices so easily. Try correcting them and you’ll learn how difficult and in some cases literally impossible it is to bring about change with our parents’ approval.
Well at a few of universities here they offer Islamic Studies as a degree, as well as offering courses in Arabic, Islam, Islamic Law etc
It really depends on the society, fortunately Muslims here have really made a stand for themselves and the status of Muslims in society is quite high, even with representation in government.
As for scholarships you're right, at my university there were specific scholarships for Jewish students funded by their own organisations, but I never saw any Muslim-backed scholarships.
What’s there to research? Everything has been researched and there’s nothing left to learn. It is better that way. If god forbid scholarly look at Islam may reveal that metaphysical concepts are fairly standard in all belief systems, a pig is a pig in Islam, Judaism, Hinduism, and Confuciusism. The peripheral beliefs (that should be of no consequence) are where the major conflict occurs. I mean who the hell cares if Jesus was Son of God, or Noah was a lousy sailor, and Moses spoke to Jesus’ father. I mean think about it. What difference does any of that stuff make?
So to answer your question PCG, yes, there’s a gap between scholarly view at Islam vs. the Molvi view. The surfacing of these different views will create a lot of problems which the Islamic societies are not yet ready to face.
^^ I respectfully disagree. There is a lot of scientific research that is based on Islamic Studies. For instance Scram Jet technology was based on the need to drive the camels faster and faster. Thats is just one example. The other more relevant one is the date/octupus(that desert plant) milk.
Above all my favorite the "curbing of violence" in Islam. This is where all scholars need to come together and show the world religously that Islam is a peaceful religion.
There was a study done about a year ago, which studied all of the scholarly literature being created in Middle Eastern Universities. What was found was that a huge proportion of the research was on the topic of Islam. Basic research into science, math, economics and other topics was at an all time low. I will try to find the study for you...
PCG there are lot of programs for Islamic studies and Research which are going on in Pakistan as AQ mentioned Dr. Israr’s Tanzim-e-Islami is one leading institute for that purpose but on govt level International Islamic University in Islamabad is class of its own.
At this time most of the Muslim-backed scholarships are offered by different govts for their students to study in the west. Even countries like Pakistan send thousands abroad on state scholarships, but for Islamic Research I agree with you will see very few Pakistanis going for Al-Azher or Islamic University of Madinah and University of Um-ul-Qura in Makkah. But recently there has been a surge in Muslim students from Europe and America going to these universities, and I find this very encouraging.
and for those who are so much hung up to Madressah and Molvi, should realize that they are there to fill out the vaccumen created by a failing state owned education system.
Brother Verizon, I disrespectfully agree with you. You do make a good point. This point has been made previously, but you make it better.
OG. Yeah, will you do some research into that? I think that’s what the topic is about.
Minime Bhaijan, is there any research initiative to look into weaknesses in Islam? can such a researched be conducted and financed by the Saudis? Bhaijan, scholarly means to take clothes off and examine it on a butcher’s block.
You cannot possibly tell me that all the scholarly work that had to be done has been done. There is so much in the history and in old writings of old scholars that should be analyzed, sorted out, and applied to our societies.
Clearly, if the knowledge is there, its not being used. Research into Islam is not just about did Aishaa bibi report this correctly or not in the following hadith.
Its about incorporating math, science, logic, philosophy, history, political science, and all kinds of subjects into building a society - and making sure your policies align with Islamic tenents.
Most "scholars" these days are not even qualified to be scholars. They have no knowledge of other religious systems, they have no knowledge of other practical government systems or scientific knowledge.
I'm talking about gaining back those golden days of Baghdad - where everyone was researching and hitting the books.
Sure we DO have scholars - but compare the number to the population of muslims. What percent are engaging in scholarly work? What percentage are doing their own independent research?
Other than al-bukhari and al-muslim Hadith and the Quran, there is no major database or collection of scholarly work that the average joe can access - do I have the time or money to go to Al-Azhar and check out their library??
Islamic research may exist, but its not mainstream. And I thought that is what Islam promotes...is the independent seeking of knowedge...
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Other than al-bukhari and al-muslim Hadith and the Quran, there is no major database or collection of scholarly work that the average joe can access - do I have the time or money to go to Al-Azhar and check out their library??
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Thats sorta incorrect. If you take a look at Dar us salam (dar-us-salam.com) books, you will find quite a bit of classic literature in english, and they ship worldwide. There is an excellent 3 book course (Arabic course for English Speaking students as taught at Madina University). They also offer beginner packages and such for someone who is just starting Islamic Studies.
I think if one is serious about it, then Islamic knowledge can definitely be pursued alongside our daily lives, until one has the chance to enroll in an islamic university.
Here is the report I was refering to, the Arab Human Development report, done by the UN. They discuss the lack of output in virtually all areas of science, the poor number of books that are translated into Arabic, and the “braindrain” happening in all countries in the Middle East.
I would submit to you that Islamic Studies has become a virtual obsession, as Islamic politics, and the number of articles published just explodes. this is a partial list of the most studied topics: http://web.idrc.ca/en/ev-41625-201-1-DO_TOPIC.html
something like loan for my higher studies and unable to find yet.