The work of distinguished scholar Shaykh Abu’l Hasan Ali al Nadwi will be the focus of a symposium on contemporary Islamic thought on Saturday. The symposium comes ahead of the launch of the Shaykh Abu’l Hasan Ali al Nadwi Academy for Leadership Training in association with the Muslim Judicial Council and the Khaironissa Sulaiman Foundation. Members of the ulema, Islamic workers and all students are invited to attend the symposium at the Islamia College Auditorium.

With the theme, ‘Through the lenses of the great Islamic Thinker Shaykh Abul Hasan Ali al-Nadwi (RA), the symposium will focus on highlighting the synergy between Islam’s glorious past and the advanced new dispensation while critically looking at the role of new aged leaders of the community.

“We decided to administer this symposium to begin to create the appetite for the works of the world renowned Sheikh Ali al-Nadwi. We are very shortly going to launch an academy in the name of the late Shiekh al-Nadwi known as the Sheikh Abul Hassan Ali al-Nadwi Academy for Leadership Training, particularly focusing on graduates from Islamic Institutions and people who are familiar with Arabic as a language,” said MJC president Maulana Ihsaan Hendricks.

During the symposium, some of the most senior scholars in South Africa who studied during the lifetime of al-Nadwi and witnessed his work, will provide their input and expertise to the group of ulama and students.

“Al-Nadwi is not only admired in the Muslim world for his outlook and world view on many contemporary challenges Muslims face in the world today. And how as Muslim leaders we need to navigate through these challenges and bring out the best of our Islamic identity,” Hendricks added.

Ulema, Islamic workers and students are required to register for the symposium at no cost. During the event, the MJC will be unveiling the model for the academy which will be situated in the heart of the Mitchells Plain.

“It is a project close to the value of R50 million. The funds were donated from an elderly lady known as Mama Khairunnisa Dawood on behalf of the Dawood family,” Hendricks continued.

“Sheikh Al-Nadwi’s exposition of Islam was marked by moderation. He believed in Islam as a blessing for mankind and as a positive and creative factor in human history.” VOC (Ra’eesah Isaacs)