From Protest To Engagement [Prof. Tariq Ramadan]

Asalamalaikum

When talking about the event, a lot of folk I spoke to were highly impressed by Proffessor Tariq Ramadan's talk. I mut say, it was pretty hard hitting. Talking from a social perspective and linking it to the religion and practice of Islam on many issues, both in the classical and contemporary context, he makes it is easy to understand and to agree with. I apologise now, for my mish mash notes. May Allah forgive me for any mistakes. I had to move seats in the middle of the event and therefore was not as well settled, however, for much better flowing notes, i would reccomend yall to check out Sister Usma's blog post about the event and her notes.

[Professor Tariq Ramadan holds MA in Philosophy and French literature and PhD in Arabic and Islamic Studies. In Cairo, Egypt he received intensive training in classic Islamic scholarship from Al-Azhar University. Professor Tariq Ramadan taught Islamic Studies and Philosophy as a professor at Freiburg University in Switzerland for many years. Professor Ramadan lectures at academic institutions and civic organizations around the world. He is a member of multiple international organizations and steering committees, and has authored and co-authored over 20 books and over 700 articles including ‘Western Muslims and the Future of Islam’. Through his writings and lectures he has contributed substantially to the debate on the issues of Muslims in the West and Islamic revival in the Muslim world. He is active both at the academic and grassroots levels, lecturing extensively throughout the world on ethics of citizenship, social justice, and dialogue between civilizations. He is currently Senior Research Fellow St Antony’s College (Oxford) and at Lokahi Foundation (London). Professor Tariq Ramadan is also President of the European think tank, European Muslim Network (EMN) in Brussels. ]

Professor Tariq Ramadan

At the end of the day it should be a love story between us and the Beloved Prophet (saws) -and we should study every aspect of his life.

When everyone is sleeping, we should wake up. [ i think he meant both spiritually and physically..?... could someone please correct my memory? ]

To call is to re call -when you are calling people to Islam, you are actually recalling them.

Know that the knowledge of Islam is between Allah and your heart.

The first sign is to answer the question why. If you dont knwo the answer, then turn back to Allah to ask.

The roots should be iman and iman is rooted in your heart. I the roots are strong, you will be strong. If you are uprootes, you are weak, merely being swayed by everything around you, but you are not form spiritual identity as you are trying to achieve as a muslim.

TO PROTEST IS TO BE ENGAGED.

The essential first thing we need, living in oor own society, is confidence.

Everyone of us is asked to seek knowlege.

The business of conferences is becoming a fashion nowadays, it this is not education. Education is to sit with the book of Allah everyday. We cry for an hour and then forget for two weeks.

Scholars are not stars, they are educators. Stars believe that the audience is there to serve them, whereas the scholars believe they are there to serve the community.

Be a gift. To be a gift is to be a question. What is your gift?

To serve Allah is to serve the people. The best of people are those who are of benefit to others. He who wants to serve Allah, should serve the people.

Justice is universal. It is not just for the muslims.

The point is critical contribution. -> you need to be the voice of the voiceless.