Showing posts with label Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies. Show all posts

Thursday, June 10, 2010

'Follow the Islamic Way to Save the World,' Prince Charles Urges Environmentalists

MAIL ONLINE: Prince Charles yesterday urged the world to follow Islamic 'spiritual principles' in order to protect the environment.

In an hour-long speech, the heir to the throne argued that man's destruction of the world was contrary to the scriptures of all religions - but particularly those of Islam.

He said the current 'division' between man and nature had been caused not just by industrialisation, but also by our attitude to the environment - which goes against the grain of 'sacred traditions'.

Charles, who is a practising Christian and will become the head of the Church of England when he succeeds to the throne, spoke in depth about his own study of the Koran which, he said, tells its followers that there is 'no separation between man and nature' and says we must always live within our environment's limits. Read on and comment >>> Rebecca English | Thursday, June 10, 2010

Prince Says Islam Has Lessons for All

OXFORD MAIL: SCIENCE and spiritualism must work together if the Earth is to avoid environmental disaster, the Prince of Wales warned in Oxford today.

He said focusing on your “soul” and nature is as important as relying on science to find the solutions to global warming.

The Prince made his comments while on a visit to the city to mark the 25th anniversary of the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies, where he has been patron since 1993.

His lecture, called Islam and the Environment, was delivered to an estimated 1,000 people at the Sheldonian Theatre, in Broad Street.

The Prince said: “When we hear talk of an environmental crisis or even of a financial crisis, I would suggest that this is actually describing the outward con-sequences of a deeper, inner crisis of the soul.

“It is a crisis in our relationship with, and perception of, nature, and is born of Western culture being dominated for at least 200 years by a mechanistic and reductionist approach to our scientific understanding of the world around us.

“I would like you to consider very carefully whether a big part of the solution to all of our worldwide crises does not lie simply in more and better technology, but in the recovery of the soul to the mainstream of our thinking.

“Our science and technology cannot do this. Only sacred traditions have the capacity to help this.”

Earlier the Prince was given a tour of the centre’s new premises in Marston Road, which are currently under development, by its founder director, Dr Farhan Nizami.

Although independent, the centre is linked to Oxford University.

The Prince told the audience the West could learn from the Islamic approach to nature.

He said: “The Islamic world is the custodian of one of the greatest treasuries of accumulated wisdom and spiritual knowledge available to humanity.

“It is both Islam’s noble heritage and a priceless gift to the world. >>> Dan Hearn | Wednesday, June 09, 2010

Friday, May 22, 2009

Iraq War, the Crusades and the Damage to Britain, by David Miliband

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David Miliband says the US-led invasion of Iraq has left a feeling of bitterness and resentment towards the West in the Muslim world. Photo courtesy of MailOnline

MAIL Online: David Miliband last night offered the most senior Government denouncement so far of the Iraq war.

In a strikingly self-critical speech, the Foreign Secretary admitted the invasion had damaged Britain's standing by leaving a legacy of 'bitterness, distrust and resentment' across the Muslim world.

Although he did not apologise for supporting the invasion of Iraq, he said that for centuries relations between Europe and the Islamic world had been characterised by 'conquest, conflict, and colonialism'.

Speaking to the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies, he said: 'Decisions taken many years ago in King Charles Street [the Foreign Office] are still felt on the landscape of the Middle East and South Asia.

'Ruined crusader castles remain as poignant monuments to the religious violence of the Middle Ages. Lines drawn on maps by colonial powers were succeeded, amongst other things, by the failure -it has to be said not just ours - to establish two states in Palestine.

'More recently, the invasion of Iraq, and its aftermath, aroused a sense of bitterness, distrust and resentment. When people hear about Britain, too often they think of these things.'

Mr Miliband stressed the importance of the UK seeking out common ground with Islamic countries, and called for 'more political activism and more diplomatic engagement' to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. >>> By Ian Drury | Friday, May 22, 2009