Book Review, ISLAM (A Short History), by Karen Armstrong

Being largely ignorant about the Muslim faith and Islam in general this was one of the first books that I read that helped to enlighten me. I first became aware of Islam from reading the Bible, and in particular Genesis. Within Genesis is the story of Abraham, Sarah and Hagar, apparently the concubine of Abraham who gave birth to his firstborn son, Ishmael. Ishmael naturally leads into Islam and the Muslim faith and the twelve tribes of Israel. Karen Armstrong's book cuts through the cliché to reveal a faith which has inspired as many scholars, mystics and poets as soldiers. Islam, she makes clear, has not only been one  of the world's most important and inspiring religions but the basis for one of its most illustrious civilizations.
One of the greatest of the world religions through the 1500 years of its existence, Islam has also been  by far the most misunderstood. The Western world has undergone a complete revolution of thought in recent centuries, but it's mistrust of Islam is still essentially medieval.


Karen Armstrong spent seven years as a Roman Catholic nun, an experience she recollected in her bestselling autobiography, Through the Narrow Gate. She is author of the worldwide bestseller, A History of God (which has now appeared in more than thirty languages), the highly acclaimed A History of Jerusalem, The Battle for God and  a book called Buddha.

The Ammerdown Retreat Centre

Imagine a conference and retreat centre nestling in woods next to a stately home, surrounded by beautiful landscaped gardens and parkland, with an exquisitely beautiful chapel in it's midst.  The whole place is steeped in peace and tranquillity . No traffic noise, only bird song. Yet it is only 12 miles from Bath and is easy access, with ample free parking on site.


The retreat centre offers a wide variety of courses  including sensing God in Creativity , Understanding Islam and The Art of Memoir Writing.


 Regarding the above (Understanding Islam) they state. A good understanding of Islam is a must in Britain today, where Muslims number by far the biggest religious group after British Christians. In many of our major towns and cities they make up a substantial minority of the population.  This constitutes an invitation to everyone to get to know Islam and Muslims better and to explore ways of building bridges of mutual understanding and respect.  This particularly applies to those involved with Muslims as neighbours, friends, workplace acquaintances or clients in caring professions.

The Art of Memoir writing(how to start writing your own life story) workshop is available on 16th-18th June 2017. There is a residential (£240.00) and a non- residential (£160.00) workshop. The course will provide a safe, supportive and confidential space where you will learn ways to create your  own memoir for best possible results. With the help of a professional writer and tutor, Rosie Jackson, you will reflect on audience, purpose and inspiration.
Contact
The Ammerdown Centre
Ammerdown Park,
Radstock,
Somerset,
BA3 5SW
TEL: 01761 433709
centre@ammerdown.org

10 Famous Memoirs Everyone Should Read

A Moveable Feast, by Ernest Hemmingway


Long Way Gone, by Ishmael Beath


Borrowed Time, An Aids Memoir, by Paul Monette


Walden, by Henry David Thoreau


Night, by Elie Wiesel


Angela's Ashes, by Frank McCourt


Personal Memoirs by Ulysses, S Grant


The Moral Basis of Democracy, by Eleanor Roosevelt


All Creatures Great and Small, by James Herriot


West With The Night, by Beryl Markham

11 Must Read Books By Muslim Authors(The Huffington Post)

Extract from The Huffington Post:


The Islamic faith began with a series of divine revelations which were revealed to the Prophet Muhammad(PBUH), beginning in the early 7th century CE. Muhammad's (PBUH) revelations went on to form the basis of The Qur'an, the Holy book of Islam, and gave rise to a worldwide faith that now numbers over 1.6 billion adherents.
Islam has become a hotly-debated topic with the rise of militant groups like the Islamic State. Average Muslims around the world frequently face prejudice and even violence as a result of rising Islamophobia. But beneath the controversy is a rich and beautiful faith, full of the rituals and traditions of everyday people who pursue lives of meaning like everyone else.


1: The Essential Rumi, translated by Coleman Barks.


2: Does My Head Look Big In This? by Randa Abdel Fattah.


3: Reading Lolita in Teharan, by Azar Nafisi


4:Muhammad:Man and Prophet, by Adil Salahi


5:Islam in Focus, by Hammudah 'Abdul 'Ali


6: In The Footsteps Of The Prophet, by Tariq Ramadan


7:The Muslim Next Door, by Sumbul Ali-Karamali


8: The Domestic Crusaders, by Wajahat Ali


9: The Girl In The Tangerine Scarf, by Mohja Kahf


10: Purification Of The Heart, by Hamza Yusuf


11: Al-Ghazali's Path To Sufism, by Abu Hamid Muhammad al-Ghazali

Authors In History: Jalaluddin Rumi

Jalaluddin Rumi, better known simply as Rumi, was perhaps the finest Persian poet of all time and a great influence on Muslim writing and culture. His poetry is still well known throughout the modern world, and his is one of the best selling poets in America.
He was the son of a renowned Sufi Scholar, and it is more likely that he was introduced to Sufisim from a young age. Sufism is a branch of Islam primarily concerned with developing spirituality, or more precisely the inner character of a Muslim.
Both he and his father were fir believers in the revelations of the Qu'ran, but criticised the more outwardly legal and ritual practice that was being promoted at the time. In fact, much of his work is dedicated to waking people up, and encouraging them to experience life themselves, rather than blindly following the scholars of the day.
He spent his early years, like many Muslins of the time, learning Arabic law, ahadith( the body of the sayings of The Prophet Muhammad(PBUH)), history, The Qu'ran, theology, philosophy, mathematics ad astronomy. At the age of twenty-four he was regarded as one of the highest scholars in the country.
He spent his time teaching and giving lectures to the public up until the age of thirty-five, lived a fairly non-descript life. In 1244 Rumi met a travelling Sufi called Shams (or Sham Tabrizi) and the whole course of his life changed. The general theme of Rumi's thought, like that of other mystic and Sufie poets of Persian literature, is that of "tawhid"-union with the Beloved, from whom he sees himself as being cut off and aloof.
Rumi believed passionately in the use of music, poetry and dance as a path for reaching God. For Rumi, music helped devotees to focus their whole being on the divine and to do this so intensely that the soul was both destroyed and resurrected. It was from these ideas that the practice of Whirling Dervishes developed into a ritual form.
He lived most of his life under the Persionate Seljuq Sultanate of Rum, where he produced his works. He died in 1273 AD. Following his death his followers and his son Sultan Walad founded the Mevlevi Order, also known as the order of The Whirling Dervishes, famous for its Sufi dance known as the Sama ceremony. He was laid to rest beside his father, and a splendid shrine was erected over his remains.

Write a Memoir

A memoir is not an autobiography. An autobiography is the story of an entire life, but a memoir is just one story in that life. A memoir is about handing over your life to someone and saying "This is what I went through, this is who I am, and maybe you can learn something from it."
Writing about your life is also coming to a fresh understanding of it at an age when you probably think you know yourself pretty well.
There are many different types of memoirs- you can write about your childhood, you can write about places you've visited. You can write about a crime or an injustice you have encountered. You can write a memoir about anything, no matter how small or seemingly inconsequential. Everybody has stories shelved in his or her subconscious, awaiting translation. The challenge is getting started. Hand over your life and tell someone!

Rumi Quote

Knock, And he'll open the door
Vanish, And he'll make you shine like the sun
Fall, And he'll raise you to the heavens.

Tips On Starting A Memoir/Extract From Reader's Digest

1: Write a memoir, not an autobiography. An autobiography is the story of an entire life, but a memoir is just one story from that life.  You can only ever write one autobiography, but you can write countless memoirs. It's a much less intimidating project if you view it that way.


2: Diagram your life. Some people have a burning story to tell. Others find it difficult to immediately pin point anything. To help this plot your life's six most significant moments. When you do it thoughtfully and honestly, there will usually be one pivotal event that stands out as particularly intriguing and/or meaningful. If there isn't don't worry. There are many different ways to diagram a life. Try dividing yours by critical choices, influential people, conflicts, beliefs, lessons, even mistakes. Experiment until you find the one story that wants to be told, the one experience that really fashioned you.


3: Don't begin at the beginning. Don't tell your story chronologically. That's too predictable.


4: Use all your senses. Sights, sounds, smells and textures.


5: Build writing muscle. set a daily writing goal of writing 200, 500 or even 1,000 words per day. Pick a certain time of day that works best for you and stick to it.

Arabic Calligraphy Course

SOAS University of London is the only Higher Education institution in Europe specialising in the study of Asia, Africa and the Near and Middle East. It is a remarkable institution, uniquely combining language scholarship, disciplinary expertise and regional focus it has the largest concentration in Europe of academic staff concerned with Africa, Asia and the Middle East.
Part of the range of Arabic language courses and activities at the SOAS Language Centre are aimed at those who wish to explore the significance and the techniques of one of the most important forms of artistic expression in the Islamic world. These courses are an ideal complement for those who are already familiar with or are currently studying- Arabic or a language whose writing  system is derived from the Arabic alphabet (Persian, Pashto , Urdu). Applicants must be familiar with the Arabic alphabet but it is not necessary for applicants to  be proficient in the Arabic language.
~Further information about the calligraphy courses are available from the University itself such as styles taught, materials needed and fees.


SOAS University of London
Thornhaugh Street
Russell Square
London
WC1H OXG


TEL: +44(0) 20 7637 2388

Arabic Calligraphy

extract from smashing magazine(online)
Arabic calligraphy was originally a tool for communication, but with time it began to be used in architecture, decoration and coin design. It's evolution into these major roles was a reflection of the early Muslim's need to avoid, as their beliefs required, figures and pictorials that were used as idols before Islam was established in the Arabian Peninisula.
While the Arabic tribes preferred to memorize texts and poetry, the first Muslims tried to document their Holy Book (Qu'ran) using calligraphy scripts. Understanding the history of each script and how Arabic calligraphy evolved over the history of the Islamic Empire can expand our visual experience beyond the beautiful glyphs and forms.
Some scripts reflect the time period in which they were formed whilst others provide a geopgraphical insight into where the artwork was developed.