Students

Undergraduate

The Iqbal Centre supports undergraduates wishing to undertake research in Muslim reformist thought and the study of contemporary Islam in Arabic, Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies (AIMES) in the School of Languages, Cultures and Societies. Undergraduates within AIMES, as well as others who demonstrate the requisite level of Arabic language competency, can also benefit from the ‘Amīmiyya Seminars (learn about these here) and develop essential translation and interpretative skills required for the study of classical Islamic texts.

Previous undergraduate dissertations completed under the supervision of Centre staff include:

• ‘To what extent does a workable modern Islam necessitate detachment from politics if it is to be accepted under the Western paradigm?’ [2012].
• ‘Vegetarianism in the Qur’an’ [2013].
• ‘An assessment of the claim “the Qur’an is a patriarchal text”’ [2014].
• ‘Is there parity in Khula’ and divorce in Muslim family law?’ [2014].
• ‘Qur’an, history and myth: a mythopoeic reading of Qur’anic parables’ [2015].
• ‘A critical analysis and comparative study of classical, neo-traditional and modern interpretations of the Hijab’ [2015].
• ‘Reformation of Islamic Law: a study into the legal theory of 14^th century jurist Abu Ishaq al-Shatibi’ [2015].
• ‘Holy Intermediaries, Pious Mendicants and Wandering Mystic Minstrels; Religious Syncretism and Synthesis In Bangladesh’ [2016].

The following modules, offered within Arabic, Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies (AIMES), approach the study of Islam from both a critical and reformist approach:

Introduction to Islamic Theology

The Qur’an: History, Text and Interpretation

Global Jihad: From the Taliban to ISIS

Islamic Law: Theory and Practice

The Hadith: History, Criticism and Canonisation

Islam and Modernity

These modules form part of BA Islamic Studies and BA Arabic and Islamic Studies but they can also be taken as Discovery modules.

We also offer a part-time programme in Islamic & Middle Eastern Studies which leads onto the second year of either of the full-time BAs. The following video provides more information about this route:

Postgraduate

The Iqbal Centre supports colleagues in Arabic, Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies (AIMES) to provide a dynamic and supportive environment for postgraduate students working on Muslim reformist thought, Islamic theology, law, legal theory, Sufism, hadith and Muslim philosophy. AIMES welcome applications for the taught MA in Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies, Masters by Research and PhD programmes in the School of Languages, Cultures and Socities.

MA dissertations being supervised by Centre Members: 

‘Sexuality (fitna), deficiency (naqṣ), and authority (qiwāma): A critical analysis of the factors that led to the exclusion of women from traditional Islamic scholarship’.

‘Ayesha’s critique of Muhammad’s male companions: A partial translation and critical study of al-Ijāba’.

PhD theses being supervised by Centre Members:

Kamaruzaman, Nur Al-Farhain Bt, ‘The compatibility of the implementation of hudud law in the Malaysian context’.

Mohammed Ali Rizvi, ‘The Blasphemy Laws in Pakistan and the Barelwi Movement’.

Mohammed Abed, ‘The Traditions of al-Mahdi and his Imamate between al-Kafi and the Six Books of Sunni Islam: The Contribution of al-Kafi to the Formulation of Twelver Shi’ism’.

Hizer Mir, ‘Naming the Nameless: Islamicate Understandings and Interpretations of “Religion” and “Secularism”‘.

Claudia Radiven, ‘Terrorist Rehabilitation in the UK Context’.

Sitara Akram, ‘Riba Revisited: A Genealogical Study’.

Sajda Khan, Modelling Prophetic Behaviour: The Problem of Muslim Integration in Britain with Lessons Drawn from the Prophet’s Biography.

Marzoug Alseheil, ‘Hadith-Amali Sessions: An Historical Study of a Forgotten Tradition in Classical Islam’ [2015].

Taher Hamed Adheidah, ‘Forced Marriage in the British Muslim Community from an Islamic Law Perspective: A Critical Study’ [2015].

Mansour Alshammari, ‘Takfir and Terrorism: Historical Roots, Contemporary Challenges and Dynamic Solutions’ [2013].

Funding opportunities

The School of Languages, Cultures and Societies offers a range of funding schemes. Most have quite specific eligibility criteria, so it is important that you check their details carefully. A full list of schemes currently available can be found on the Postgraduate scholarships pages.