15 May 1960

Abdal Hakim Murad

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Afzalkhan

Abdal Hakim Murad is an English academic, theologian and Islamic scholar. His work includes publications on Islamic theology, modernity, and Anglo-Muslim relations. Being fluent in Persian, Arabic and Turkish, he has translated several Islamic texts including works by Imam Ghazali and Imam Busiri into English allowing English-speaking Muslims to access classical texts. He has also been a profoundly influential figure in British Muslim scholarship, helping British Muslims contextualise their experience of living in Europe and in 2010 he was voted Britain’s most influential Muslim thinker by Jordan’s Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Centre.

Raised in a Christian family, Murad developed an interest in religious and philosophical questions from an early age. In his youth, he engaged in a search for truth and explored various spiritual traditions, including Buddhism and Hinduism. Eventually, he found his spiritual home in Islam and embraced the faith, adopting the name Abdal Hakim.

He helped establish and is the dean of the Cambridge Muslim College and was educated at Cambridge, Al-Azhar, and the Free University of Amsterdam. He has published and contributed to numerous academic works on Islam, including as Director of the Sunna Project, and is a leading figure in inter-faith activity, notably as one of the signatories to the Common Word statement.

Murad is known for his nuanced approach to interfaith dialogue and his efforts to foster mutual understanding and respect between different religious communities. He has engaged in numerous interfaith initiatives and has advocated for dialogue based on shared values and common ground.

As a proponent of traditional Islamic teachings, Murad emphasizes the importance of spirituality and ethical living in Islam. He encourages Muslims to reconnect with the rich spiritual heritage of their faith and promotes a balanced understanding of Islam that upholds compassion, justice, and social responsibility. Through his lectures, writings, and public engagements, Murad has become a respected figure within the global Muslim community and beyond. His thought-provoking insights, commitment to spiritual development, and efforts towards building bridges of understanding have made him an influential voice in contemporary Islamic discourse.

He is also the founder and leader of the brilliant and unique Cambridge Mosque project which is a new purpose-built mosque in Cambridge that caters for up to 1000 worshippers. The mosque is entirely reliant on green energy with an almost-zero carbon footprint.

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http://masud.co.uk/authors/abdal-hakim-murad/

"Timothy Winter: Britain's most influential Muslim - and it was all down to a peach" - The Independent

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