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THE LORD OF FISSION - ISLAM, GOD & NUCLEAR WEAPONS
Date:
Sunday 10th Sept 2006
Time: 2.15pm to 4.45pm
Venue: 4nd Floor, Muslim World League, 46 Goodge Street, London, W1T 4LU (entrance on the corner of Charlotte Street); Nearest Tube: Goodge Street (Northern Line)
Guest Speaker:
Dr Usama Hasan (Middlesex University & Al-Tawhid Mosque)
Falaq means to split or cleave asunder, hence the Qur'anic term, "falaq" in the surah of the same name refers to daybreak, the splitting apart of the seed and fruit-stone, etc. Applying the principles of tafsir (Quran-commentary) to current scientific knowledge would suggest that "falaq" covers nuclear fission also. Therefore, Allah as Rabb al-Falaq (Q. 113:1) is the Lord of Fission. Reflecting on the very next ayah (Q. 113:2), we have the insight that nuclear fission can potentially be used for great evil.
Drawing on classical Islamic texts in the light of the contemporary world, this talk will explore two pressing issues of our time: Firstly, the issue of nuclear power in an age of climate change. Whilst Shariah does not prohibit nuclear power in principle, how might it be applied when we consider the potential benefit side by side with the potential for harm, and in the light of alternatives? And secondly, is the issue of nuclear weapons, capable of massive destruction to life and the environment. Can they, for instance, be justified even as a deterrent in order to "keep the peace"? This months talk and forum will discuss the above matters - come along to listen and/or have your say. There will also be an opportunity to find out about environmental activities LINE is involved with.
About the speaker:
Dr. Usama Hasan was trained in Theoretical Physics at Cambridge, and in the traditional Islamic sciences at home in London. He is currently Senior Lecturer in Computing Science at Middlesex University and a voluntary, part-time imam at Tawhid Mosque in East London. As an undergraduate, Usama thought of joining
Pakistan's nuclear programme. However, he is now very glad he didn't!
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