By AY Mol on 15-3-2010 11:06

Dear brothers and sisters: 

 

Please read this invitation and answer the questions regarding your participation and the topics you are interested in as a panelist. We would like to receive your answers to the questions ASAP.

 

 

Send these to contact@deenresearchcenter.com

 

This year the conference of Critical Thinkers for Islamic Reform – The Way Forward will be held at Oxford University in June 11-13, God willing. The participants are individuals who agree on the imperative of a drastic reformation in the Muslim world. Though each of us are independent thinkers, we are all in agreement regarding the urgency of  reforming our theology, attitude, action and our organizational strategies to further align ourselves to the Quran interpreted in light of reason.

We have successfully organized a conference in Atlanta, USA in  2008 where thinkers and scholars from both the East and West came together in an effort towards instigating a reform to promote monotheism, peace, justice, progress, critical thinking, and freedom in the Muslim world.

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By Kamran Cheikh on 3/12/2010 1:32 PM

 

 

Washington, D.C. - Reza Aslan author of the highly praised “No God but God: The Origins, Evolution, and the Future of Islam,” gave a spirited dinner lecture at Au Pied Bistro in Georgetown Sunday. A Doctoral Candidate in History of Religions at the University of California, Santa Barbara, and – for the pop culture-savvy – former guest of The Daily Show with John Stewart, Aslan bursts with enthusiasm and has the ability to convey ideas eloquently on an issue that leaves most Americans uncomfortably silent. The issue at hand is Islam, and, more specifically, the future of this; or, as Aslan puts it, its evolutionary “reformation.”

The sold out event was an essential part of NIAC’s mission to encourage Iranian Americans to “proactively present their image on their own terms.” Esteemed scholar and director of the Center for Persian Studies at the University of Maryland, College Park Dr. Ahmad Karimi-Hakkak served as a friendly foil to Aslan as the evening’s discussant.

Islam, according to Aslan, is a faith that is particularly conducive to interpretation because it is unencumbered by a ridged hierarchy in the form of theocratic institutions. “Islam is what Muslims say Islam is. It is not a creedal faith. Unlike the Catholic Church, there is no Muslim that speaks for God,” Aslan argued.

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By AY Mol on 7-3-2010 1:59

The first commandment is the only religious creed of the list, and refers to the duty of understanding that Allah is above and beyond existence. We can philosophize and discuss this subject with other people, as many people have an irrational and childish view on God which does not confirm with the framework of the universe, and are thus stuck in unrealistic ideas, but nobody may ever be forced into accepting a view. We can only truly understand ourselves correctly, when we try to understand the universe and its Creator, as this framework will explain to us His Manifestation. Many people reject religion and faith in a God, because of the irrational ideas perpetrated by many traditional theologies, as they contradict reality (al-Haqq).

 

The second to ninth commands are all ethical values which are shared by all human beings, taking care and protection of the weaker persons among us, to not kill other people, to be honest in all dealings and moments of life, from paying for your gum to testifying in courts, to equal sharing of all resources, foods etc., to hold to our oaths and agreements. This the way we must follow, and these ethics do not contradict our natural disposition (fitrat), as this the path which keeps mankind erect (sirati mustaqim) and righteous (attaquna), and these are the most honourable with God (49:13), and certainly also with all the rest of mankind. The world would be a lot safer and more prosperous if the majority of the people were to uphold these universal ethics and the obligation (al-Din) of peacemaking (al-Islam), which unites mankind in their humanity and positive behaviour.

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By Dr.Lubna Almenoar on 6-3-2010 11:02

 

Groundwork and Preparation involve the preliminary activities that would collectively function as a basis or foundation before launching a desired target goal. This goal will usually yield the start or possibility of changes for the better. The responsibility for the preparation falls on a focused person who usually at this point reaches out for few but trusted people to share the load.

 

As a researcher, I believe this step is one of the most important steps in the whole process. It is indeed one step which could cause the ultimate success or the unexpected failure of projects. Having this in mind, it is no wonder that this step can take a reasonably long time to reach its final stages.

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