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Great Books and Thinkers of Islamic Civilization

With Dr. Timothy Gianotti

This new series, open to everyone, calls attention to the rich diversity of the Islamic tradition by showcasing great books, thinkers, and ideas from all over the world and all fields of endeavor, from all periods of Islamic history and all realms and persuasions of thought.

Time: 7:30 p.m.
Location: Lower social room, Noor Cultural Centre
Admission: $5.00 per session

SESSION 1 Wednesday January 13, 2010

Abu Hamid al-Ghazali

SESSION 2 Wednesday February 10, 2010
Abu Nasr al-Farabi

Having finished his one-year term as the Noor Chair of Islamic Studies at York University and Noor Cultural Centre, Timothy J. Gianotti currently serves as the Noor Fellow in Islamic Studies at York University.

Holding a B.A. (1988) from the University of Notre Dame (Great Books, Classics), his M.A. (1990) from the University of Toronto (Islamic Intellectual History, Arabic language & literature), and his Ph.D. (1998) also from the University of Toronto (classical Islamic Philosophy & Theology), his undergraduate and graduate studies included several periods of residence in the West Bank and Jordan, where he studied literary Arabic, Islamic History, various topics in Christian and Jewish thought, and the traditional Islamic religious sciences.

Now, in addition to introductory courses in Islamic religious history, theology, and mysticism, he teaches upper level undergraduate and graduate seminars that deal specifically with Islamic spirituality, Islamic theology, Islamic political thought, medieval Islamic and Jewish philosophy, and the language and imagery of war within the Abrahamic religious traditions.

He is the author of Al-Ghazali’s Unspeakable Doctrine of the Soul (Leiden: E.J. Brill, 2001), a study of controversies surrounding the soul and the Afterlife in medieval Islam, and he is currently working on two new book projects: an introductory (trade/educational) text titled, In the Light of a Sacred Tree: Illuminations of Islamic Belief, Practice and History, and a second scholarly book titled, Walking the Way of the Afterlife: al-Ghazali on the Jurisprudence of the Heart (fiqh al-qalb).

www.noorculturalcentre.ca

Events »

MANA’s Social Justice Task Force is organizing a seminar on February 13, 2010 (Saturday) at Howard University (DC) to educate the Muslim community about the history and inhumanity of this type of punishment and to join forces with other activists who are addressing this issue so that ultimately we can all work to end this form of torture.

Guests include Cynthia McKinney, Ramsey Clark, Karima Al-Amin and other activists in the field such as Bonnie Kerness of the American Friends Service Committee and Sala Nolan of the United Church of Christ.

The program starts at 9:30 am and three panels will be held,

1. 10 a.m.  – 12 noon
2. 1:30 p.m.  – 3:30 p.m.
3. 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Al-Amin is the wife of Imam Jamil Al-Amin, who is incarcerated in a supermax prison in Colorado.

• The Imam sits in a small jail cell for 23 hours—in complete isolation.
• For one hour he goes out to a small, enclosed area and is able to walk around—still complete isolation.
• No human contact.
• Many Psychologists argue have this type of incarceration is inhumane and cruel.
• In the past, 24/7 isolation was reserved for prisoners who had committed a major violation.
• Imam Jamil didn’t commit a major violation.
• His treatment is due to the fact that he is Imam Jamil Al-Amin.

The reality is that a large number of people are experiencing the same treatment.

This “cruel and unusual punishment” was developed in the 1980s when SuperMax prisons and control units were built to house in particular politically motivated prisoners.

This type of punishment has been expanded under the title of “security threat group management units” which is aimed at Muslims.

• mana-net.org