Islamic Reform in Practice: The Ideas of Mahmoud Taha

Iraqi Shiite men hold a banner that reads: "Islam is the religion of peace" as they march to the al-Rohman mosque for prayers in Baghdad, Iraq. (Courtesy AP/Wide World)

Muslim scholars have been struggling with creating new models of a modern Islamic state but only few have outlined new theoretical principles of interpretation of law as the Sudanese scholar, Mahmoud Mohamed Taha. Taha proposed a revolutionary reform methodology which he described as “the evolution of Islamic legislation.” How did Taha contribute to Islamic reformist thinking? What made his reformist ideas revolutionary? This panel will examine Taha’s contributions toward Islamic reform and his innovative ways in reconciling Shari’ah, constitutionalism, religion in the public sphere and governance.

Speakers

• Steve Howard, Ohio University
• Earnest Johnson, Shoreline Community College
• Elnour Hamad, Mansfield University
• Qamar-ul Huda, United States Institute of Peace, Discussant
• Albaqir Mukhtar, Jennings Randolph Senior Fellow, United States Institute of Peace, Moderator

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