Testimonials

New Horizons in British Islam works with academics, historians and faith leaders from around the world.

Here’s what they have to say about our organisation and the work we do:

New Horizons in British Islam is a most timely initiative which is grounded in the vision of Iqbal and other Muslim reformers of the nineteenth and twentieth century. This new organisation aims to become a crucible for cutting-edge intellectual and moral development of Muslims, paving the way to a new Islamic Renaissance. I pray for the success of this worthy endeavour.
Dr Riffat Hassan, Proffessor Emerita, University of Loiusville, USA and Iqbal Academy, Pakistan.
New Horizons seeks to revisit Muslim thought and practices given our modern realities. Such initiatives are needed today and will prove to be effective in contextualising our thinking and approach, so long as we are faithful to our Islamic identity.
HE Husein ef. Kavazovic, Grand Mufti of Bosnia.
New Horizons is an extremely important initiative. There is much talk these days of changing minds and hearts, but to do this we have to learn what is actually in these minds and hearts instead of relying on what we assume to be there. New Horizons will offer a counter-narrative that will give the world a more accurate understanding of Islamic spirituality, values and practice. It will make a valuable contribution to one of the chief tasks of our time which is to build a global community where peoples of all ethnicities and ideologies can live together in harmony and respect.
Dr Karen Armstrong.
It is crucial for people to see the theological world of Islam as offering serious resources for understanding and responding to the complexities of our world, and those involved in this exciting project are ideally equipped to take this forward with energy, integrity and freshness. It is deeply encouraging to see how the sophisticated intellectual analysis of Islamic thought in relation to the issues of contemporary society in the West – an analysis from within, not just by external academic specialists – is becoming more and more embedded in the English-speaking world.
Dr Rowan Williams, Master of Magdalene College, Cambridge.
It is imperative for those who understand Islam to be a message geared towards the discovery of goodness and beauty to re-orient the trajectory of Islam in the modern age. Muslims and non-Muslims can play a critical role in constructing a cooperative framework through which Islam, and other religions, could promote a common goodness and beauty in human life. Projects like New Horizons play an important role in this collaborative effort.
Dr. Khaled Abou El Fadl, Professor, UCLA School of Law.
The launch of New Horizons should be welcomed by Muslims and non-Muslims, scholars and public. Like followers of all the World’s religions Muslims today are challenged to reread their sacred texts and religious tradition in light of contemporary realities and challenges. New Horizons can provide an invaluable resource for reformist thought that seeks to contextualise Islamic law (fiqh) and thought.
Prof. John Esposito, Georgetown University.
Liberal values and rationalist views are sometimes treated with suspicion in the Muslim world as being part of a different, Western culture. And yet, a thousand years ago the roles were reversed; while Europe languished in its dark ages, the Islamic Empire was a beacon of rationalism, tolerance and enlightenment.
Professor Jim al-Khalili, British Humanist Association.
I’m thrilled to see New Horizons developing as a site for thoughtful, careful contextual work rooted in mainstream Islam. The challenge facing all religious communities is how to faithfully read our texts and traditions in ways that are both true to their spirit and fitting for 21st century Britain. New Horizons mission to do that is a vital one.
Elizabeth Oldfield, Director, Theos.
Two ladies talking at The British Islam Conference
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