English
A Welsh center for the study of Islam has announced plans for a series of lectures to be organized at Cardiff University to introduce the true image of Islam and Muslims over the coming two months.
“Islam is the second largest religion in the world, and indeed in the UK,” Professor Sophie Gilliat-Ray, director of the centre, told News Wales on Monday, January 27.
“There is a huge amount of interest in the place of Islam in the UK, and here in Cardiff, where there is a long history of Muslim settlement,” she added.
The public lecture series, organized and hosted by the Centre for the Study of Islam in the UK, takes place at Cardiff University, throughout February and March.
It was announced in a bid to correct misconceptions surrounding Islam, the second largest religion in UK and Wales.
The lectures, offered by a variety of renowned religious and community figures, will be launched next February 11 with a lecture by Professor Mona Siddiqui, of the University of Edinburgh.
Professor Siddiqui will talk on “Friendship and Hospitality – Challenge or Route to Integration?”
Subsequent Tuesdays will have other lectures by other professors and renowned figures including; Professor John Eade, of the University of Roehampton, Mike Kavanagh, Head of Chaplaincy for the National Offender Management Service, and Navid Akhtar, Executive Director or Gazelle Media.
The talks begin at 7pm each Tuesday in the Glamorgan Building, Cardiff University, King Edward VII Avenue.
“We have arranged a particularly broad and fascinating range of topics,” said Professor Gilliat-Ray.
“The talks should be of interest to a wise audience, including members of the Muslim community, and others who are interested to learn more.”
Cardiff, the largest city in Wales, is home to 25,000 Muslims. Britain is home of a sizable Muslim minority of 2.7 million.
The Centre for the Study of Islam in the UK (Islam-UK Centre) is based in the School of History, Archaeology and Religion, globally recognised for its research. It has a wealth of teaching expertise and a lively programme of research activity.
The Centre has a strong and positive relationship with the local Muslim community and local Muslims form part of the Centre’s advisory committee.