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1 Jan 2012

Public Meeting (Sat 21st Jan: London): Engaged Islam ~ Contemplative Action In Our Changing Times

© Wisdom In Nature

Date: Sat 21st January 2012
Time: 3.15pm to 5.30pm
Venue: 4th Floor, Muslim World League, 46 Goodge Street, London, W1T 4LU (entrance on the corner of Charlotte Street); Nearest Tubes: Goodge Street (Northern Line), Euston Square (Hammersmith & City, Circle & Metropolitan Lines) & Warren Street (Victoria Line).
Streetmap: Click here


Speakers:
Dr Shumaisa Khan, (Food & Ecological Justice Researcher & WIN activist)
Dr Muzammal Hussain, (WIN activist)
Dr Derek Wall, (Green activist, writer and economics)


Photo from Occupy LSX (CC BY-NC-ND)
On the one hand we have corporate domination, economic marginalisation and climate change; on the other, we have spontaneous movements such as 'Occupy', community food growing/permaculture, consensus-decision-making, and a thirst for alternative currencies and economics. In the context of bottom-up, 'non-hierarchical' movements for social change, this public meeting will consider, 'what contribution can be made by Islam and Muslims?' It will include short talks from our speakers, a chance for participants to share their own reflections and experience, and time to hear about volunteering and networking with like minded people in the context of an engaged Islam for our times. 

Snacks will be available. This is a free event, with optional donations. 

Speaker Bios:


Shumaisa Khan is a Representative for Wisdom in Nature (WIN), a process-oriented ecological and social activism group that draws on Islamic principles. She is about to begin a research fellowship at the University of Surrey, having recently completed her doctoral degree from the University of Michigan in environment and natural resources with a concentration in environmental justice. Shumaisa has also worked as a freelance reporter/producer, covering health and human rights issues for WBAI-Peace and Justice Community Radio Station in New York City. Both as an activist and a scholar, she is particularly interested in ways of bringing diverse groups together to work toward greater sustainability and social justice.


Muzammal Hussain is the founder of 'Wisdom In Nature' and has delivered workshops and talks on Islam and ecological activism both in the UK and abroad. He is passionate about engaged spirituality, social organising, and creating meaningful relationships between diverse communities. In the past, he has been a volunteer for the World Development Movement (WDM) Brighton group, and he has also completed a full Permaculture Design Course as part of Earth Activist Training (EAT) in an eco-community in Devon. Muzammal is also a medical doctor, has a background in mind-body healing, and an MA in Environment, Development and Policy, writing his final dissertation on 'Islam and climate change'.


Derek Wall is an economics lecturer and writer. He lives in Berkshire and has three sons. He has been a member of the Green Party since 1980. He was Green Party Principal Speaker from 2006 to 2007. Derek is a founder of the Ecosocialist International and Green Left. He has written a number of books on green politics including the No Nonsense Guide to Green Politics. He works closely with Hugo Blanco the Peruvian green activist who publishes Luca Indigena (Indigenous fight). Derek is currently researching a book on the environmental history of the commons and is a parish councillor in North Ascot.

About WIN: Wisdom In Nature was established in 2004 and is a pioneer of local Islamic ecological activism in the UK . Our original name was the London Islamic Network for the Environment (LINE). We are committed to the transformation of society to live justly in harmony with the diverse natural world, of which we are a part, thus honouring the principle of Oneness (Tawhid).
        Our approach is both practical and contemplative. We use bottom-up processes and consensus-decision-making for much of our work, finding ways of equalising power and ensuring our processes and actions are owned by those directly involved. This deeper democratic approach reflects our commitment to mirroring the world we wish to live in, whilst being established in core Islamic principles. This is also supported by mindfulness of our sources of funding: our day-to-day work being financed by donations from individuals, helping us to be independent of corporate interest and government influence. WIN has a presence in both London & Brighton.


Find out about volunteering for WIN: http://www.wisdominnature.org.uk/Action/volunteer.htm

Website: www.wisdominnature.org.uk
Facebook Event: Click here
Tel. 0845 456 3960 (local rate)


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