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PRESS RELEASE ARCHIVE
PRESS
RELEASE: Sheikh Zaki Badawi (1922-2006) - An Obituary
It is with
deepest sadness that we announce that Sheikh Dr. M.A. Zaki Badawi O.B.E.,
K.B.E., Principal of the Muslim College, founder of the Imams and Mosques
Council (UK), chair and founding member of the Forum Against Islamophobia and
Racism (FAIR), founding member of the Association of Muslim Social Scientists
(AMSS UK), and arguably the nation's greatest and most celebrated spokesman for
the cause of British Islam has died in London on 24 January 2006 at the
venerable age of 83.
Despite his advancing years, the humble scholar
with the humble heart worked tirelessly to the very end, collapsing whilst
giving a talk in London, characteristically engaged until the moment of his
death in a gentle but unfailing campaign for the cause of Islam and the Muslim
community.
A charismatic figure with an almost fatherly, watchful eye
over the nurture and development of Britain's Islamic community his passing
leaves a void, which, will be immensely difficult to fill. It is a tremendous
loss to the Muslim community and a testament to the legacy of a self-effacing
man, to whom ambition was a stranger, and flattery an embarrassment. Dr.
Badawi's was a powerful, empathic, intelligent, and warm personality. Always
polite, cheerful, engaging, and respectful his sharp wit and delightful sense
of humour were a joy and inspiration to all who had the good fortune to meet
and know him, both on a professional, personal, and social level.
A
visionary who understood the needs of the Muslim community decades before it
had come of age, Dr. Badawi worked relentlessly to turn this vision into
reality. Unthwarted by obstacles, undaunted by seats of power, fearless of the
media, he easily commanded the respect and attention of royalty, heads of
state, politicians, journalists, the establishment, as well as, and perhaps
most challenging of all, the general public and diverse cultures making up the
British Muslim community. Indeed, it is far from exaggeration to affirm that he
has played a major role in putting both British Islam and British Muslim
identity on the map, giving it a respect and history, which will long be
remembered. His was a voice and his were ideas constantly in demand and his
passing away marks the end of an era.
Dr. Badawi's was also an
illustrious and distinguished life - a graduate of Al-Azhar University feted
with numerous awards, distinctions and achievements, his high-minded and
honourable nature forbade him from indulging in the accolades of men. These
were but mere laurels of this world to him when the Hereafter was the only
reward he sought. Nevertheless awards serve a function, they recognize the
legacy of men and allow us to express our esteem and appreciation for the
achievements of others, and, in accordance with this precept, the AMSS UK paid
tribute to Dr. Badawi's brilliant model of hard work, dedication, and service
by honouring him with their 2002 Lifetime Achievement Award.
The Award
was presented at a dinner to mark the occasion of his eightieth birthday at the
Muslim Cultural Heritage Centre on 15 January 2003 and jointly organized by the
AMSS, Al-Khoei Foundation, FAIR and Q-News. Attended by over a hundred and
fifty representatives of not only British Muslim organisations but people from
every sector of the community and establishment, from politicians to leaders of
other faith communities, the diversity amongst the crowd was itself testimony
to not only the varied work that Dr. Badawi has been involved in, but how much
he is respected for his immense efforts. The evening ended with telling words
of gratitude from Dr. Badawi himself, who reminded the audience that this
should not just be a celebration of his life, but of the progress and
achievements of the British Muslim community. In his inspiring speech, Dr.
Badawi spoke of how he had helped to nurture a confident British Muslim
identity over the decades and how far the community had come from the days when
he first conveyed this message. It came as no surprise then that his closing
remarks were met with a standing ovation when he ended the evening by declaring
that, "The British Muslim community has arrived!"
Fusing the best of
Islamic knowledge with the best of western thought and armed with a resultant
uncanny understanding of the peculiar needs and requirements of the Muslim
community attempting to straddle with practicality the two realities of their
lives, Dr. Badawi arguably became best known for his role as Principal of The
Muslim College, a place and achievement which he cherished greatly and a base
to which he fondly returned after his many speaking engagements throughout the
world.
Founded in 1987 as a religious academic institution
specialising in the study of Islam, its culture and history, it was an idea
born on his arrival at the Islamic Cultural Centre in 1978, where after holding
a conference for all Imams in Britain to acquaint himself with their work and
explore ways of cooperation he set to work and found that few of them spoke
English; a village imam being imported into Britain is a very disastrous thing,
particularly for the youth, he opined. Ever the realist his solution was to
establish the Muslim College, which began functioning in 1990. With great
foresight he set about training Imams in public speaking, to give sermons which
are relevant and entertaining, as well as training them in counseling and other
skills. Also introduced to students were what have come today to be
indispensable skills required of Muslims: journalism, mass media,
teacher-training etc.
Dr. Badawi has also been an integral part of the
Association of Muslim Social Scientists UK since its inception in 1996. A
founding member of the Association as well as long time member of its Executive
Committee he was a strong and guiding force behind its growth and development;
his wisdom and input have been a deep loss to the organization.
Dr.
Badawi's consistently clear message and decades of unflagging hard work have
borne fruit. Leaving behind him the legacy of a confident British Muslim
identity he has also greatly furthered the cause of inter-faith dialogue and
understanding between Muslims and non-Muslims both in the UK and abroad.
May Allah have mercy on his soul and may He bless our Ummah with more
men and scholars of his calibre.
Our thoughts and prayers are with his
wife and family.
Press Release from the IIIT
London Office:
IIIT London Office Condemns the Horrific Attacks
on London
The London Office of the International Institute of
Islamic Thought strongly deplores the cowardly attacks in central London. These
are despicable and heinous crimes which have caused the death and suffering of
innocent people. Our thoughts and minds are with the families of the dead and
we send them our heartfelt condolences. We pray for the speedy recovery of the
injured. Those who have committed these despicable attacks must be brought to
justice. Such shocking and senseless acts are crimes not only against every
British citizen but against humanity.
IIIT (UK) 7th July 2005
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MAQASID
AL-SHARIAH AS PHILOSOPHY OF ISLAMIC LAW
by Jasser Auda
HB:
£21.95, 31, $28.95
PB:
£12.95, 19, $18.95
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TOWARDS
REALIZATION OF THE HIGHER INTENTS OF ISLAMIC LAW
by Gamal Eldin Attia
HB:
£21.95, 31, $28.95
PB:
£12.95, 19, $18.95
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IBN ASHUR
TREATISE ON MAQASID AL-SHARIAH
Translated by M. T. el-Mesawi
HB:
£24.95, 36, $35
PB:
£16.95, 25, $25
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Fiqh for
Minorities
by Taha Jabir
Al-Alwani
£4.50 (Pbk)
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This
publication is No. 10 in the IIIT Occasional
Paper Series. |
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Peace and the
Limits of War
by Louay
M. Safi
£5.50 (Pbk)
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