Home Multimedia Audio Files Friday Night Project (Autumn 2009)
Friday Night Project (Autumn 2009)
Are you FOR or AGAINST it? The Friday Night Project is a collaborative effort by many London youth organisations, including the IUS, held at the Abrar Centre, just off Edgware Road. The programme usually includes some film or video showings on large screen, a frenzied debate or discussion on a topical issue and a chance to socialise over dinner as well as congregational prayers. The Autumn series ran through October to December 2009, and the topics included:
Muharram Part Two: "Relevance of today's practices to the true meaning"
(18-Dec-2009) Often it is the rituals or recurring practices surrounding Ashura which visibly differentiates Shia Islam from other branches of Islam. What do narrations and hadiths show subsequent Imams commemoratin? Do the rituals balance the need for emotional elation and intellectual thinking? Here in London by visiting a variety of mosques or hussainias we can witness majalis (gatherings), mass crying, latm (chest-beating), self-flagellation, lamenting poetry to name a few.
The main aim of this panel discussion was to encourage a balance of being critical of our practices yet being completely respectful to the cause, so that the commemoration of Ashura does not to remain stagnant. Summary of the audio file is:
00.00 Introduction
01.13-04.28 (Ethics of discussion reminder)
06.50 Theme 1: "What are the sunnah or mustahab (recommended) acts with regards to commemorating Ashura?"
39.44 Theme 2: "From the rituals practiced today, which ones would you consider beneficial and which ones unhealthy?"
1.45.03 Theme 3: "Is the investment of time, money and manpower for these 10 days actually beneficial (proportionately) to our youth and community?"
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Part Two: Relevance of today's practices to the true meaning (Friday Night Project)
29.3 MB
128:07 min
Muharram Part One: "The true meanings of Ashura today"
(11-Dec-2009) It is wise to pause and reflect on what the tragedy of Ashura means to us as Shia Muslims in Britain today. Undoubtedly it contains many meanings and lessons. Are they the same ones Shia Muslims drew from the story 100 years ago? What is the right way of interpreting such historical events?
00.00 Introduction
03.41 Theme 1: "What is the message from Ashura that you personally keep in mind?"
41.30 Theme 2: "Has Ashura been exploited as a political tool in modern times?"
1.07.10 Theme 3: "Why do we focus on Imam Hussain's (a.s) death so much?"
1.22.07 Conclusion
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Part 1: The true meanings of Ashura today (Friday Night Project)
19 MB
83:02 min
Has Hajj become a middle-class holiday?
(27-Nov-2009) Is is right that those who are able go to Hajj more than once to do so while others struggle to afford even a single journey? In today's globalised world Are those who go more often at a greater disposal of receiving rewards from God, arguably making it a Middle-Class way to heaven? Is it right for the Saudi government to take a rising fee for "maintenance"?
00.00 Chair intro
02.51 For
15.48 Against
25.22 Rebuttals
38.06 Open discussion
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DEBATE: Hajj has become a middle-class holiday (Friday Night Project)
17.9 MB
78:10 min
Mutaa is dangerous in practice
(20-Nov-2009) Temporary marriage has for long been a controversial topic. What is it? Do the benefits outweigh the danger? Would it even work in our society today? Would your local community criticise you?
No audio available
Fitna by Geert Wilders: Film screening and discussion
(13-Nov-2009) Vicious attacks on Islam are common nowadays. Fitna, a 17-minute film by right-wing politician Geert Wilders, is foremost among them. How can we Muslims deal with the accusations they contain? And what kind of response, by Muslims and non-Muslims alike, prepare for such films?
Fitna by Geert Wilders: Film screening & discussion (Friday Night Project)
12.9 MB
56:10 min
I'm proud of my country - you should be proud of yours!!
(06-Nov-2009) Recently, we were horrified at the emerging beliefs and comments of the BNP, and many in British society have branded them as racist and unjust. Yet isn't what they stand for: nationalism, patriotism and pride in one's country generally good things. Are we not proud of who we are and where we've come from? Are we also not proud of our religion and country?
00.00 For
08.00 Against
12.57 Rebuttals
18.57 Open discussion
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DEBATE: I am proud of my country, you should be proud of yours! (Friday Night Project)
13.5 MB
59:07 min
Muslims and Comedy - you must be joking!?
(30-Oct-2009) Humour is a powerful form of human expression, and today’s TV programmes are filled with comedy quiz shows like Mock The Week, and sitcoms like Friends. Are their hilarious jokes simply halal forms of entertainment? Or is the prevalence of adult material in their routines a sign of an unhealthy culture?
00.00 Chair intro
04.25 For
15:22 Against
28:55 Rebuttals
39.05 Open discussion
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DEBATE: Muslims and Comedy - are you joking? (Friday Night Project)
21.3 MB
93:03 min
Should we preach sex?
(23-Oct-2009) The previous week on Wednesday 14th October at UCL, Sayed Ammar Nakshawani addressed a packed lecture theatre of 250 Muslims and non-Muslims on 'Islam and Sex'. But is this the right forum to be addressing this sensitive issue? What are these teachings of Islam on sex? How did the Ahlul Bayt do things in this regard?
This Friday included an exclusive screening of a video interview with Ammar Nakshawani, which can be viewed here:
A few control the many; and you can't do anything about it
(16-Oct-2009) Is the world controlled by a select few? And if so, even to an extent, are we powerless to do anything to change it? How far does the mass media control us like sheep and are such pessimistic and defeatist attitudes unhealthy or just realistic?
00.00 Chair intro
02.15 Videos
15.32 For
27.23 Against
36.35 Open discussion
1.17.23 Conclusion & dua
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DEBATE: A few control the many; and you can't do anything about it! (Friday Night project)
FNP only provides an opportunity for youth to express their opinions in a safe brotherly atmosphere. All opinions expressed in the audio recordings are solely those of the person speaking, and not necessarily those of the FNP organising team.
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