London: Talk on Islam and Secular Democracy at Queen's Mary College

On September 21, 2012, the Network for a New European Generation, together with British Muslims for Secular Democracy, organized a talk at Queen’s Mary College in London on “Islam and Secular Democracy.” The featured speaker was Shaykh Manwar Ali (Abu Muntasir), the founder and Chief Executive of JIMAS, an Islamic educational charity in the UK dedicated to helping Muslim refugees and asylum seekers; promoting understanding between communities; and teaching about Islam. Speaking from the perspective of a devout Muslim and scholar, Abu Muntasir sought to address common concerns that Muslims express towards Secularism.

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Abu Muntasir’s main message was that the practice of Islam is protected and in no way compromised in a secular state, which he defined as a state that is neutral towards religion. He debunked the notion that secularism “removed God from people’s lives” and addressed other common objections made by some Muslims against secularism. He also gave examples of how the alternative, a state that imposes religion on its citizens, results in the oppression of Muslims as well as non-Muslims. 

Over 30 students attended the event, and many commented on Abu Muntasir's ability to make them think about these issues in new ways: “I was a bit dubious about attending a debate on Islam and Secular Democracy and the compatibility between the two. However Abu Muntasir's views were refreshing and certainly gave me some food for thought,” wrote one participant. Another stated that “the topic was quite enlightening.”

Click here for a full summary of Abu Muntasir's remarks.