Few months ago during a conversation with well-known educationist Mohamed Nahya, former member of Public Service Commission and now a member of Right to Information, RIT, we emphasised the need to compile a book on prominent Muslim personalities. This was extremely important especially in view of the community’s fast fading interest on the need to record the contributions of our …

In the final episode of the Candid History series, Dr. Stef Keris presents a history of Islam in South America with an overview of the colonial past in those regions. This episode explores the following themes and subjects: ✔ The history of British, French and Dutch Guyana ✔ The Spanish and Portuguese conquests of South America ✔ The development of …

Houses part of an Israeli settlement are seen in front of an Arab town on January 16, 2017 in Amona, West Bank [Chris McGrath/Getty Images] It was understandable why, on 29 November, 1947, the United Nations (UN) passed Resolution 181, partitioning Palestine and creating a Jewish state. In the wake of the Holocaust, there was a widespread sentiment that there …

Asiff Hussein, Vice President- Outreach of the Centre for Islamic Studies Harmony Centre and author of the book ‘Iconic Masjids of Ceylon’ speaks about the role of mosques in the Muslim community and the importance of mosque tours in reaching out to people of other faiths. Q: The Mosque is often thought to be the centre of the Muslim community. How far …

Australia says the status of Jerusalem should be resolved in peace talks between Israel and the Palestinian people [File: Ammar Awad/Reuters] Foreign Minister Penny Wong says government ‘regrets’ decision made by previous administration and reiterates commitment to two-state solution. Australia says it will no longer recognise West Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, reversing a decision taken by the government …

Depicting a scene in the hospital at Cordóba, then in Al-Andalus (Muslim Spain), this 1883 illustration shows the famed physician Al-Zahrawi (called Abulcasis in the West) attending to a patient while his assistant carries a box of medicines (photo: Science Photo Library/Sheila Terry). Contents 1 Asylum of the Sick 2 The First Hospitals 3 Mobile Dispensaries 4 Permanent Hospitals 5 Organization 6 Patient Care 7 Young Frenchman’s …