JOURNEYING TO SIMURGH: CHARACTER AND WELLBEING IN THE ISLAMIC TRADITION
CONTEMPORARY PRAXIS SHAPED BY TRADITIONAL DISCOURSE: A CASE STUDY
To be held Saturday, 23 September , 5 am PST
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Description
This interactive workshop seeks to explore a renewed attempt at wellbeing and character development in an Islamic School in Adelaide, Australia. Participants will be invited to witness the contemplation and action that birthed the Journey to Simurgh program, a God centric approach to character development and wellbeing. The workshop will analyse different systems of thought and language and juxtapose them as either human centric or God centric and the effect that each of these centricities and orientations have on the human experience. We will explore the impetus for renewing wellbeing and character development by tapping into the Islamic tradition to realign our praxis with a God centric model to human development vis-à-vis Attars’ spiritual epic poem Mantiq at-Tayr [The Confernece of the Birds]. The workshop aims to inspire reflection and renewal by looking at the practical implications of this program, inviting participants to consider their own contexts reflecting on what they are currently doing, how they can draw on the Islamic tradition and what courses of action they may be able to take as the aspire to renew their approach to character and wellbeing.
Presenter
Abrahim Al-Zubeidi is a teacher, writer and lecturer where he leads the religious studies and faith department as head of Illumination at an Islamic college in Adelaide, Australia. He currently holds a BEng and BBus from Swinburne University of Technology in Melbourne and a Masters in Teaching with areas of focus in Islamic pedagogy and science education from the University of South Australia. Abrahim is pursuing studies in Islamic sciences holding a diploma in Islamic theology from the eHawza, and is currently studying a bachelor in Islamic sciences majoring in analytical jurisprudence and Quranic exegesis. Alongside his role at the college, he works with the Centre for Islamic Thought and Education developing teacher development courses. He also works with various communities where he lectures, runs workshops and spiritual discussion circles that address contemporary issues regarding faith. Abrahim is also a writer and reciter of poetry where some of his poems can be found in his first anthology “Tears from Heaven’s Flowers”.