Please note the change of schedule 

Session 1

22nd July 2008: Primer on Evolution I: A critique of Muslim Style - Intelligent Design (brought forward)

Convenor: Salman Butt, PhD student in biology at Imperial College London

Session 2

29th July 2008: Primer on Evolution II: Clarification, Controversies and Myths

Convenor: Aalaa’ Al-Shamaaee, PhD student in Paleobiology at Univeristy College London

Session 3

5th August 2008: Theology and Evolution – Reconciliation and Possibilities

Convenor: Aalaa’ Al-Shamaaee, PhD student in Paleobiology at Univeristy College London

All sessions will be held at King's College London (Strand Campus) on Tuesdays. The details are as follows:

Time: 6.30 - 8.30 

Venue: Room 4A, Chesham Building, Strand, London, WC2R 2LS  (Map)

Contact: mahbub.gani(at)kcl.ac.uk

Click here for more details on the Critical Reading Group

Session 1: Primer on Evolution

It is hard to deny the sophistication of the theory of evolution, the theories evolution and development has been the result of some of the finest minds of recent times, Biologists, Anatomists, Palaeontologists, Geneticists, Geologists, Sociologists and Mathematicians. The influence of the theory can be seen far and wide and yet many of us are still surprisingly ignorant of the science and the assumptions it makes. This session aims to cover some basic background, shed light on some of the current as well as well as historic discussions within the discipline and present some of the strengths and limitations of the theory. As well as this some of the traditional ‘creationist’ arguments against evolution will be presented and scrutinised. This is a large amount to go through in the time however it is hoped that it will serve as a well rounded basic introduction to the field and complement the following session on Islamic theology and evolution.

Session 2: Theology and Evolution

The theory of evolution is absent from educational material, curricula and institutes of higher education in many Muslim countries. Closer to home Muslim students’ absence from lectures on evolution is not unusual, even when said lectures form part of the syllabus. The dismissive attitude of many Muslims stems from the belief that evolution and the story of creation as revealed in the Qur’an and Sunnah are incompatible. Asked to choose between a scientific theory that is only understood superficially and faith many choose the latter. This session aims to show that it need not be either or as it is suggested that the story of creation and indeed muslim theology can accommodate the theory even with the most literal reading of the sources. It will be put forward that much of the confusion stems firstly from an interpretation of particular sources rather than from the sources themselves and secondly from the adoption of Christian creationist rhetoric  which is problematic as a result of the Muslim and Christian creation stories being similar but nevertheless fundamentally different. This session is speculative in nature and discussion will be encouraged. It is suggested that the previous session is attended also as it will provide background to the science and creationist arguments that will serve as a useful foundation to this session.