Is Muhammad a force of good?
Issue 82 July 2011 In the first of the series, Rageh Omaar asks a crucial and poignant question: was Muhammad a force of good or evil? It seems for a series commissioned by a Muslim (Aaqil Ahmed – BBC Head of Religion & Ethics), directed by a Muslim (Faris Kermani), presented by a Muslim (Rageh Omar) and written by a Muslim (Ziauddin Sardar), the answer is maybe. And that’s the p...

The Life of Muhammad exposed our own ignorance
Jul 18,2011 You’ve got to hand it to Rageh Omaar for being brave enough to make this programme – when Peter Andre films one of his latest documentaries about taking his kids to school or doing a poo he probably doesn’t have to worry about a life-size effigy of himself being burnt on the other side of the world. Although, when it comes down to it, The Life of Muhammad isn’t...

British Museum to stage exhibition dedicated to hajj pilgrimage
Jul 19,2011 The British Museum is to stage a major exhibition dedicated to the hajj, the Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca. Hajj: journey to the heart of Islam will bring together historic and contemporary objects – including manuscripts, textiles, archaeological items and photography – to explore the experience and importance of the pilgrimage.  The exhibition, opening in January, will also feature th...

Complete Encyclopedia on Islam and Prophet Muhammad released aft
Jul 17,2011 Islamic encyclopedia written and prepared by a handful of scholars and edited by Syed Iqbal Zaheer compiled in two volumes in English was released in Bangalore. Broadly, it covers religious aspects of Islam and its progress over the centuries. The contents in encyclopedia cover a wide range of topics like definitions of Islamic terms, life of Prophet Muhammad, social and political mov...

Madina does not require a new identity, says governor
Jul 12,2011 Madina Governor Prince Abdul Aziz bin Majed has said the two holy cities of Makkah and Madinah do not require any identity other than their religious status. “Since Makka and Madina are indelibly marked with principles of monotheism and Islamic faith, the two cities do not need to look for another identity as many other cities in the world do,” Prince Abdul Aziz said on ...

The Life of Muhammad documentary film airs in a first for the We
Jul 11,2011 The BBC’s airing of the Life of Muhammad, a first-ever documentary on the life of the Prophet Muhammad screened in the western world generated animated discussion even before its broadcast on Monday night. The three-part series, commissioned by head of Religion & Ethics Aaqil Ahmed, was the target of attack by Iranian authorities in the month prior to its broadcast on British state-ru...

Live Ramadan Webcast celebrates life of Prophet Muhammad globall
Jul 13,2011 Prominent scholars and performers will address global audiences in their living rooms via the CelebrateMercy live webcast during the month of Ramadan. Following its international success last year, the webcast will present the Prophet Muhammad’s life and character, focusing specifically on his experience of the fasting month, to both Muslim and non-Muslim audiences. In so doing,...

'Life of Muhammad' gave a broad overview of the Prophet of Islam
Jul 11,2011 Rachel Tarley    There were high hopes for this three-part series and with the competent and conscientious Rageh Omaar at its helm, Life of Muhammad didn't disappoint. It's true that opening with footage of the 9/11 attacks seemed a questionable choice and arguably, the programme faltered in its early stages. Omaar appeared to be taking an Islam-by-...

TV matters: The Life of Muhammad
Jul 06,2011 Next week, Rageh Omaar's BBC2 documentary The Life Of Muhammad makes TV history as the first biographical documentary to feature no visual images of the subject. This decision is for religious reasons – Islamic theology forbids depiction of the prophet – but such abstinence could usefully have a wider secular application. It may seem strange to say that there are too m...

Description of the Prophet Muhammad
Love (mahabba) for people arises from three characteristics: 1) their physical outward beauty, 2) their inward beautiful character, and 3) the good or the sacrifice they do for us. To increase and maintain his love for the Prophet Muhammad, upon him be peace, Hasan (the Prophet's grandson) sought descriptions of all three of these aspects of the Prophet because he wanted something to hold on to. ...

A Home Based on Love
A foremost characteristic of life in the home of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was love. Love is the quality most necessary to ensure happiness. When love is present, happiness is assured. The Prophet preferred a life of poverty, which was sometimes close to, if not below, the subsistence level. Yet this did not detract from the fact that his was a very happy home, with love spre...

Annual Sirah Conference held in Kashmir
Jun 13,2011 “Life and death, here and the hereafter are the two things which have been given to mankind in order that man understands his true nature and his purpose in this world. We get lost in the affairs of our life in such a manner that we forget the hereafter in the process -our true and ultimate destination,” said Maulana Mohammad Farooq Khan, a prominent Islamic Scho...