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Abstract
As part of the SRP Programme’s 10th anniversary, this lecture by Professor Abdullah Saeed explores how sacred texts, particularly the Quran, can be interpreted in a pluralistic world where diversity and differences are part of everyday life. Islamic scholarship has long offered a variety of perspectives on how Muslims should engage with broader society, whether in contexts where Muslims are the majority or a minority, and whether they live in Muslim-governed or non-Muslim-governed environments. These perspectives are deeply rooted in Quranic teachings that guide Muslim conduct.
Drawing from this rich tradition, Professor Saeed will address contemporary global developments that prompt Muslim scholars to revisit and reflect on interpretations of the Quran to foster inclusiveness, interreligious harmony, and social cohesion. He will highlight the unique challenges scholars may face when engaging with emerging forms of diversity, and how thoughtful engagement between Muslim scholars and governments can contribute to building harmonious, cohesive societies in today’s pluralistic world.
About the Speaker
Prof Abdullah Saeed is currently the Sultan of Oman Professor of Arab and Islamic Studies, Redmond Barry Distinguished Professor, Director of the National Centre for Contemporary Islamic Studies and the Convenor of Islamic Studies at the University of Melbourne, Australia. He is also Advisor to the Studies in Interreligious Relations in Plural Societies Programme & Peter Lim (Visiting) Professor of Peace Studies at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS), Nanyang Technological University, Singapore. He is a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Humanities and a Member of the Order of Australia (AM). At RSIS, Abdullah Saeed teaches Islam, Diversity and the Religious Other. Among his recent published books are: Contemporary Approaches to the Qur’an and its Interpretation in Iran (co-authored with Ali Akbar, 2019); Islam and Human Rights (2018); Reading the Qur’an in the Twenty-First Century (2014); Islamic Political Thought and Governance (edited, 2011); and The Qur’an: An Introduction (2008).
