The Science and Religion in Islam research group is the result of a collaboration between a number of Muslim academics who have decided to work together to explore the interface between science and religion from the perspective of different disciplinary horizons. We hope to contribute to the emergence of a working culture which is based on a double perspective: on one hand that of a rationality that is open to problems of a metaphysical, spiritual or theological order and, on the other hand, that of a spiritual life, of a religious conscience, and an inner experience that is open to philosophical problems that arise from investigations in the area of contemporary science. We advocate this double perspective in the sense that we consider that science and religion have things to say to one another. But, at the same time, this requires a great deal of clarity in our intentions as well as rigour in our method. The bringing together in a illusory side-by-side, or a fallacious analogy, of Islamic religious knowledge and the findings of contemporary science can lead to disappointing results since, by ignoring the specificities of the two areas and the singularity of the principles which govern their respective movements, this approach prevents, in reality, the emergence of a real "convergence" between science and religion. For this reason, unlike a certain reading which dominates in the Islamic World, we do not think that these two spheres of knowledge can seriously enter into dialogue with each other in a direct fashion. In our opinion, the nature of the relationship between the two areas requires an "internal", philosophical, theological or spiritual inquiry. Hence we will be able to phrase the question as follows: what is it within science that can enter into a meaningful dialogue with Islam? And what is it within Islam that can enter into a meaningful dialogue with science?   When we speak of Islam we are not only talking about the religious component. In order to promote the emergence of a serious dialogue between science and religion in the perspective of religion, we need to consider all the dimensions of the culture that has arisen from the civilisation that has been nurtured by this religion. It is one of the reasons why our research group includes not only mathematicians, physicists, and astrophysicists but also theologians, historians and philosophers. An interdisciplinary approach is an important aspect of our work: creating links between the findings of each discipline while keeping within the rules of each discipline.   The science-islam site intends to function as a knowledge forum in view of the emergence of a genuine scientific modernity that is rooted in the conscience of intellectual, spiritual and ethical values. Under these four section-headings (articles, abstracts, bibliographical references and links) our site will propose a certain number of tools, concepts and methods, theses and structures which may, in some way, contribute to the renewal or, more accurately, the "revitalisation", of Islamic thought based on a profound comprehension of the challenges and the advancements that are being made in the 21st century. 

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Science and Religion in Dan Brown’s ‘Angels and Demons’    Nidhal Guessoum With the mega-success and controversy of “The Da Vinci Code” (2003), Dan Brown became famous worldwide. Previous to that, he had published 3 novels, which later became best sellers as well: “Digital Fortress” (1998), “Angels and Demons” (2000) , and “Deception Point” (2001). All four novels (...) Read   A Century of Religion-Science-Philosophy Debates: A Review of “The Measure of God”, by Larry Witham, 2005, Harper San Francisco    Nidhal Guessoum When the wealthy Scottish judge and thinker Adam Gifford decided in 1887 to establish an endowment for yearly lectures at Scotland’s four great universities (Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow, St. Andrews) to encourage a lively and on-going discussions on science and “all questions about man’s (...) Read   Bibliography: Works of Allama Iqbal (A) Works in Prose Bedil in the Light of Bergson, ed. and annotated by Dr. Tehsin Firaqi, Lahore, 1988.The Development of Metaphysics in Persia (a contribution to the history of Muslim philosophy), London, 1908. Reprinted Lahore, 1954, 1959, 1964. Ilm al-Iqtisad, Lahore, 1903. Rep. Karachi, (...) Read   Emergence: Any philosophical overtones to the new scientific paradigm?    Nidhal Guessoum Emergence: Any philosophical overtones to the new scientific paradigm? A commentary on ‘A Different Universe’ by Robert B. Laughlin Basic Books – 2005 R. Laughlin img src='IMG/cache-130x200/thub_194099_1_-130x200.jpg' width='130' height='200' style='border-width: 0px;' (...) Read   “The Message of the Risale-i Nur in the Ecological Context.”, Sadik Kilic “The Message of the Risale-i Nur in the Ecological Context.”, Sadik Kilic, Paper presented at the Fourth International Symposium on Bediuzzaman Said Nursi: A Contemorary Aproach Toward Understanding the Qur’an: The Example of Risale-i Nur, Istanbul, Turkey, 20–22 September (...) Read   Islamic Environmental Systems Engineering Islamic Environmental Systems Engineering S. Waqar Ahmad Husaini London: Macmillan, 1980 Read   “The Muslim Declaration of Nature.”, Abdullah Omar Nasif “The Muslim Declaration of Nature.” Abdullah Omar Nasif Environmental Policy and Law 17, no. 1 (1987) Read   “The Problems of Nature in the Esoteric Monism of Islam,” Fritz Meier “The Problems of Nature in the Esoteric Monism of Islam,” Fritz Meier, trans. R. Mannheim. in Spirit and Nature: Papers from the Eranos Yearbooks, ed. Joseph Campbell, 149–203. New York: Pantheon, 1954. Read

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