Islamic Revival

Ibn Khaldun is one of the most well-known historians of Muslim heritage who propounded a new historiographical method whereby he analysed the factors contributing to the rise and fall of civilisations: the immutable cycle which governs the lifespan and nature of an empire or polity. This article is a brief but interesting introduction into his work. Ibn Khaldun is best known for his formulation of the notion of  ‘Asabiyyah , broadly translated as “group-feeling/solidarity” which is the fundamental building block which provides strength to the successful origins and development of a fledgling empire or polity. His broad interactions with a range of peoples from multiple continents contributed to his theory and model of human social organisation. His Islamic learning and scholarship also contributed to his view of history’s divine coordination by Allah. ‘Abdur-Rahman Ibn Khaldun is considered as one of the greatest thinkers in the annals of human history. He lived in the middle-lat

The following is part of the transcript to a talk delivered last year at an event in Melbourne titled “Is Islam a reasonable belief?” . [Shafiul Huq speaking] The question we want to address tonight is not merely a theoretical question that a bunch of (radical) uni students happens to feel curious about. Rather this question seems to have a very widespread appeal, especially in this particular historical moment – in the era of science and reason. Pope Benedict, in his Regensburg lecture in 2006, reminded the world how Islam, as opposed to Western Christianity, has fallen utterly short of reconciling faith with reason, and hence Muslims needed to resort to violence. He quotes the words of a Byzantine emperor in his lecture: “Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached.” Then the Pope says: “The emperor, after having expressed himself so forcefully