16 June 2022

The United Ulama Council of South Africa (UUCSA) in partnership with the Islamic Jerusalem Research Academy, the Al-Quds Foundation; the Palestine Information Network(PIN) and the Palestinian Solidarity Forum KZN is pleased to announce the upcoming tour of globally renowned scholar and activist Dr. Khalid El-Awaisi to South Africa. A series of workshops and public engagements are planned in Johannesburg, Pretoria, Durban and Cape Town from June 26- July 07, 2022 that are designed to enable participants to understand the historical and contemporary challenges relating to the blessed land through the prism of the Quran, Hadith and Islamic History.

South Africans are urged to benefit from the presence in the country of this dedicated scholar to enhance their understanding of Bayt al-Maqdis and the responsibilities owed to it.

BIOGRAPHICAL PROFILE


Dr. Khalid El-Awaisi is a graduate of the pioneering field of Islamicjerusalem Studies; he received his Master’s (2003) and subsequently his PhD from the University of Aberdeen (2006). His main speciality is in the historical-geography
of Bayt al-Maqdis and the geographical interpretations of the Qur’an. He has taught at a number of British and Turkish universities and was appointed the director of the Centre of Islamicjerusalem Studies in the UK (2007-2011).

He has published a ground-breaking monograph: Mapping Islamicjerusalem: a Rediscovery of Geographical Boundaries (2007) in which he was able to unearth the geographical extents of Bayt al-Maqdis and other religious/spiritual entities around it, namely, the Holy Land and Land of Barakah. This work won an award from the Islamic Research Academy ISRA/ UK. Currently he works as an Associate Professor and the Head of Department of Islamic History at Social Sciences University of Ankara and teaches on the Masters Programs in both Ankara and Mardin.

 

Topics that will the covered in the various workshops include:


Bayt al-Maqdis: Names and terminologies

The Early history of Bayt al-Maqdis

Prophets and Nations in Bayt al-Maqdis

Prophet Muhammad (saw) the Sahabh (ra) and Bayt al-Maqdis

Spiritual connection: the first Qiblah

Religious connection: Quranic Stories of Prophets

Political connection: Quranic prophecy on Byzantine and Persian wars

Military campaigns: Muta, Tabuk and the army of Usamah (ra)

Islam and Bayt al-Maqdis: Spiritual, Religious and Political connection

The first Muslim Fath of Bayt al-Maqdis: campaigns of Abu-Baker and the Fath of Umar

Muslim inclusive vision: Umar’s Assurance of Safety

Muslim rule to the Crusade: from the Umayyads to the Fatimids

The crusader occupation and massacre

The liberation of Bayt al-Maqdis: role of Ulama, Nur al-Din and Salah al-Din

From the Crusade to the British: The continuation of the crusade

European schemes for the Holy Land: from Napoleon to Balfour

Intellectual Nakba: the occupation of the mind

The Nakba and occupation of the Land: British and Zionists

The Future of the Zionist state: Jewish and Christian perspectives vs. Islamic vision

Workshops planned

JOHANNESBURG

  • Sunday 26 June: Silver Crescent Hall, Laudium, Pretoria, 18:00-19:00 – Contact: 061 466 4414 (Free entry)
  • Monday 27 June: Johannesburg Muslim School, 9:30-12:30 – Contact: 076 657 2681 to RSVP (Free entry)
  • Monday 27 June: Baitun Nur in Lenasia in conjunction with PSA, 19:30-21:00 – Contact: 082 3366 711 (Free entry)
  • Tuesday 28 June: Johannesburg Womens event in conjunction with SANMWF, 9:30-12:00 – Contact: 082 3366 711 to RSVP (R150 including snacks)

DURBAN

  • Saturday 02 July: Hartley Primary School, Overport, 09:30 – 16:00 – Contact 084 620 3048 to RSVP (Free entry)

CAPE TOWN

  • Monday and Tuesday 4-5 July (both days): Shalimar Gardens, Surrey Estate, 09:00-12:00 and 13:30-16:00 – Contact 082 704 5378  to RSVP (Cost R350)
  • Tuesday 05 July: Shalimar Gardens, Surrey Estate, 18:00 Public lecture – Contact 079 494 5786 (Free entry)

For further information, Whatsapp 076 657 2681