under|progress

So, this is it

I will be posting exclusively at Eteraz: States of Islam from now on.

It is a joint effort involving Ali Eteraz, Haroon Moghul and Willow Wilson. We all owe a big thank you to Yursil Kidwai, who designed the site.

under|progress will remain up for the forseeable future as an archive of sorts (or at least until my existing agreement with Six Apart expires), but I may start to move some of my older writing to Eteraz.

Please join us for what will be an online collaborative effort involving not only us, but you, the all important reader. Please register with the community and sign up for a reader diary. We welcome views, whether you agree or disagree with anything we say. We only expect you show a modicum of respect for everyone else.

And please don't forget to add us to your blogrolls, feeds etc.

The Carnival of Islam in the West III

Munzareen Padela hosts the third volume of The Carnival of Islam in the West. Some highlights include:

• Darvish's tale of God's judgement.
• Tariq Nelson's controversial piece on racial attitudes amongst Muslim ethnic groups.
• other|matter's ABD tells us why the personal is political.
• Yahya Birt's discussion on whether Britain is moving towards a post-multicultural state.

Why cultural Islam is important

The Raddical Middle Way announces that Dr Umar Faruq Abd-Allah will be touring the United Kingdom. Dr. Abd-Allah is Chairman of the Board and Scholar-in-Residence at the Nawawi Foundation.

The event that I will try to get to will be "Cultural Jihad - Making Islam Matter" to be held in The Brunei Gallery at SOAS on 17th November (7 - 9.30pm):

"For Muslims living in the West the future lies not in the tinkering of theology but in the production of culture. But how is this process of cultural relevancy to take place? Is it taking place? What are its discernible forms? What are the challenges that need to be surmounted before a genuine cultural expression takes root? And what and who is to define what is ‘genuine’? To what extent is cultural output in Islamic civilisation a utilitarian exercise? In the global village of specialised economies and shared global tastes where does the process of being consumers stop and that of being producers of culture begin? What needs to be done to convert Western society to associate Islam with the beauty of the Taj Mahal and the Majesty of the Dome of the Rock rather than with the blasted Twin Towers of New York or the shattered Buddhist statues in Afghanistan? Can we develop an agenda of cultural do’s that would harness the energy of our young people – to teach them that singing, creating, beautifying and being joyous are all part of the Islamic agenda?"

This is a very crucial point, which I am always banging on about: the lack of any real engagement with wider society outside the confines of politics and rights. These have their place, but is that all one can define 'Islam' (in its broader sense) by? It's probably the reason why John Humphrys, in his search for faith, asked Rowan Williams about God, spirituality and philosophy, but asked Tariq Ramadan about politics and law. I am glad to see someone of repute like Dr. Abd-Allah, is keen to address this issue.

Jack Straw in conversation

Jack Straw was invited to speak about his recent comments by The City Circle and Three Faiths Forum last week. The event can now be downloaded from The City Circle website. I managed to get an invite, but couldn't make it due to other commitments.

Ramadan on BBC Radio 4

Tariq Ramadan speaks to John Humphrys as part of the BBC presenter's ongoing to series on religion.

Not a holy Trinity

1. I'll be moving soon (hence the lack of any updates). Read this.

2. The next volume of the Carnival of Islam in the West is now taking submissions. Due this Friday 10 November. You know the score. Submit here.

3. The Third Annual Brass Crescent Awards are open for nominations. Go forth and nominate. And get some buttony goodness from Aziz.