Al-Mahdi Institute

On behalf of all at Al-Mahdi Institute, we wish you and your loved ones a blessed Eid. 🙏🥳 May this blessed occasion bring peace and blessings to all.

With over 1.2 million animals due to be sacrificed at Hajj this year and the increasing impact of the animal processing industry on the environment and our carbon footprint, is it permissible to substitute animal sacrifice (Qurbani) at Hajj with an alternative offering?

The International Centre for Collective Ijtihad states, "It is permissible for a pilgrim to substitute animal sacrifice (Qurbani) at Hajj with an alternative offering of the same—or more—value depending on the needs and priorities of the Muslim community."

Read the full statement with detailed explanations and references here: collectiveijtihad.org/blog/animal-sacrifice-at-hajj

At this year's BRAIS conference, four members of AMI's Faculty, including Dr Haidar Hobballah حيدر حب الله , Dr Muhammed Reza Tajri , Dr Zoheir Esmail , and Ali Khaki were invited to present their latest research in Islamic studies.

Read more about their presentations here: ami.is/brais

On the 8th May 2024, AMI's Research Fellow, Dr Seyed Amir Hossein Asghari delivered a seminar exploring 'Sufism and Philosophy in Shi’i Seminaries' by examining the relationship between the School of Najaf and the School of Separation.

Read more, watch, or listen to the seminar here: ami.is/dms-seminar

In line with the International Centre for Collective Ijtihad 's guidance on Determining the New Month, the 1st of Dhul Huijjah is Friday, 7th June 2024. Therefore, Eid al-Adha is expected to fall on Sunday, 16th June 2024. On behalf of all at Al-Mahdi Institute, we wish you a blessed month and Eid filled with peace, blessings, and prosperity. For more info about the Eid programme at AMI, visit: ami.is/eid24

In celebration of this blessed month, we are delighted to offer you 75% OFF all courses on the Hawza Programme until 30th June 2024. Redeem your discount now by using the code 'EID75OFF' at checkout here: ami.is/apply

On 22nd - 23rd April 2024, AMI's Department of Mysticism and Spirituality held its inaugural academic conference on ‘The Oneness of Being (Waḥdat al-wujūd): Interpretation, Reception, and Implications’ convened by Dr Zoheir Esmail.

Read all about the conference or listen to the podcasts here: https://www.almahdi.edu/dms-post-conference

Dr Haidar Hobballah حيدر حب الله presents a new perspective on the role of Sharia in the modern age at the Omani Cultural Club, affiliated with the Ministry of Culture of the Sultanate of Oman.

In his presentation, Dr Hoballah proposed reevaluating how laws are interpreted in areas where they are unclear or absent, especially in light of evolving circumstances. Read more here: almahdi.edu/lecture-hoballah

There will be a whole host of AMI Faculty presenting their research at this year's annual BRAIS Conference at the University of Leeds, including Dr Haidar Hoballah حيدر حب الله , Dr Zoheir Esmail, Dr Muhammed Reza Tajri, and Ali Khaki. Find out more about the conference here: https://www.brais.ac.uk/conferences/brais-2024.

A beautiful sunset to end a beautiful day. 🌅😍

Dr Ali Bari and Professor Biliana Popova presenting their research on Artificial Intelligence and Islam.

Watch it live here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kKBKigd5Qdg

Dr SeyedAmir Asghari presenting his research on 'Exploring Sufism and Philosophy in Shia Seminaries.'

Watch it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ovsxfqkeaaY

Join us this Thursday 9th May as Dr Mazhar Ali Bari and Professor Bilian Popova present their research on Islam and Artificial Intelligence (AI) exploring the impact of AI on humanity and the importance of integrating Islamic perspectives in the development of AI.

The seminar will be held in-house at AMI and you can also join online. Find out more here: ami.is/dils-seminar

Some Muslim scholars restrict women from reciting and touching the Qur’an during menstruation due to ritual impurity. This raises the question: is access to the Qur’an's guidance and mercy limited to those in a state of ritual purity only, or is it universally available to all?

The Centre for Islamic Decrees and Doctrines states that "reading or listening to the Qur'an are permissible acts regardless of one’s state of purity." Read the full statement with references here: ifta.org.uk/blog/qur-an-and-ritual-purity

AMI's Professor Seyed Mohammad Fatemi speaks about Muslim-Christian Relations in an online webinar hosted by Luke 10 and the Academy of Sciences of Iran.

Seyed Fatemi's research explored the dynamic relationship between Christians and Muslims, spanning from historical eras to contemporary times. Read more about it here: almahdi.edu/webinar-fatemi

Join us on Wednesday 8th May for our next research seminar with Dr Seyed Amir Hossein Asghari as he explores the contrasting approaches of the Sufi/ʿIrfānī School of Najaf and the Maktab-i Tafkīk (School of Separation) to discover how philosophy, revelation, and Sufism shape theological debates within Shia seminaries.

The seminar will be held in-house at AMI and you can also join online here: ami.is/dms-seminar

On Tuesday 9th April 2024, AMI hosted its annual Big Iftar and Eid Celebration in conjunction with the Universal Peace Federation on the theme of 'Fostering Peace and Harmony Among Faiths.'

Read more about it here: https://www.almahdi.edu/bigiftar24

Watch the full programme here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zRHsWjMOL38

Delighted to welcome Dr SeyedAmir Asghari from Baylor University as a Visiting Research Fellow for the Department of Mysticism and Spirituality at AMI. His research interests include; natural law, the Islamic intellectual tradition, Sufism, religious interpretation, and interreligious dialogue.

Read more about him here: ami.is/amir-hossein-asghari

Excited to host book talks on these prominent works by Professor Sajjad Rizvi and Professor Joseph Lumbard as part of AMI Library’s book talks series. Stay tuned for the release dates! 👀📚

▶️ To watch our previous book talks, visit ami.is/booktalks

at AMI 🌺 🌸

Due to unforeseen circumstances, we regret to inform you that our Research Seminar by Dr Shabana Mir scheduled for today, 17th April 2024 has been cancelled. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.

AMI Graduate, Adam Ramadhan attains a highly competitive, funded PhD position at Universiteit Leiden / Leiden University working on the ERC project 'Embodied Imamate: Mapping the Development of the Early Shiʿi Community 700-900.' Led by Dr Edmund Hayes, the project aims to write the first comprehensive social history of the Imamate. Read more here: almahdi.edu/adam-ramadhan

Join us tomorrow at 3:00 PM (BST) as Dr. Shabana Mir explores the experiences of Muslim women students on American and British university campuses during periods of heightened Islamophobia and the impact of anti-immigrant racism and gendered Islamophobia on their experiences.

Join us in-house at AMI or stream the seminar live here: ami.is/seminar-register