ICAIR

ICAIR’S First Ladies only Seminar ‘Are there locks on their hearts…’
2023-11-25 - 2026-04-22
On Saturday 25th November 2023, the International Centre for Advanced Islamic Research (ICAIR) held a sisters-only seminar at WF House, Harefield, London. The seminar, which was attended by 60 sisters, focused on the theme of ‘guidance’ in the Sermon of Fadak, narrated by Sayyida Fatima (a), following the death of the Prophet.
The seminar was led by Aalima Fatemah Meghji, a graduate of the Islamic seminary. Aalima Meghji studied at Jamiat az-Zahra and completed the master’s program in Qur’anic Tafsir and Qur’anic Sciences with honours. She is currently an instructor at the Mizan Institute, leading the Sisters Department. Moreover, she has been teaching in a professional capacity for several years, previously serving as the Islamic Director at the Az-Zahraa Islamic Academy. Her current projects include a book on human evolution in the Shi’ite tradition, and her research interests include the principles of tafsir, Qur’anic hermeneutics, and women in the tradition.
The seminar opened with a historical contextualisation of the question posed by Sayyida Fatima (a) in the sermon: “Are there locks on their hearts?” Aalima Meghji related this question to Sayyida Fatima (a)’s reprimanding of the Muslims’ misguidance, owing to their abandonment of the Qur’an and the Prophet.
Having outlined the context of this question, the seminar participants were split into small groups, to discuss how Qur’anic verses approach the subject of locked hearts. Two themes emerged from these discussions: on the one hand, the Qur’an’s emphasis on how God seals the hearts of individuals and, on the other, the Qur’an’s emphasis on the impact of individual actions for the sealing of hearts. This discussion and its relevant verses relate more broadly to wider discussions on free will vs. predestination that Muslim theologians have debated for centuries.
To further analyse these two themes, Aalima Meghji introduced the two-tier categorisation of guidance stipulated in Ayatollah Jawad Amoli’s thematic tafsir of the Qur’an. Namely, an initial and general guidance, open to all, and a secondary guidance that is consequential to an individual’s actions. Following a detailed explanation of these two categories, Aalima Meghji closed the seminar by relating these categories back to the question of locked hearts, emphasising how guidance is accessible to all, whilst locked hearts are the consequences of our actions.
This seminar was held in line with ICAIR’s mission to empower the community through access to scholarship on Shi’i Islam.

ICAIR Seminar: Tawassul and Ziyarah in Islamic Thought
2024-10-05 - 2026-04-22
On Saturday, October 5th, the International Centre for Advanced Islamic Research (ICAIR) hosted an in-person seminar titled “Tawassul and Ziyarah in Islamic Thought” at The WF House.
The evening featured Shaykh Dr Vinay Khetia, who delivered a thought-provoking exploration of the theological and historical foundations of Tawassul (intercession) and Ziyarah (visitation) within the Imami Shiʿa tradition. Dr Khetia examined the Qurʾanic and hadith sources that underpin these practices, their philosophical significance, and their evolution throughout Islamic history.
He also discussed the theological debates surrounding intercession, the spiritual and communal role of Ziyarah, and contemporary perspectives on these long-standing traditions. Attendees benefited from an engaging discussion, followed by dinner and fellowship at the venue.
The seminar fostered a deeper understanding of how these devotional practices continue to enrich Shiʿa spiritual life and community cohesion.

ICAIR Seminar: ‘What is Nahj al-Balagha About?’
2025-01-31 19:00 - 21:00 (Europe/London)
On Friday, January 31st 2025, the International Centre for Advanced Islamic Research (ICAIR) held an in-person seminar at The WF House, Moorhall Road, UB9 6NS, entitled “What is Nahj al-Balagha About?”
The session was presented by Dr George Warner, who guided attendees through a penetrating examination of Nahj al-Balagha—its scope, its silences, and the intentions of its compiler, al-Sharīf al-Raḍī.
Dr Warner invited the audience to consider what the collection includes and excludes, what it emphasises and what it leaves unsaid. In doing so, he situated Nahj al-Balagha within the historical and intellectual conditions of its compilation, tracing how al-Raḍī’s choices reflect broader ways in which the Imams were remembered, represented, and thought about.
Focusing on the ethical guidance contained within Nahj al-Balagha and the historical troubles it narrates, the discussion explored the kind of encounter with Imam ʿAlī (as) that al-Raḍī sought to create—for himself and for his readers—and how that vision has continued to resonate with timeless appeal.

ICAIR Seminar: “Legacy of Insight: The Ahl al-Bayt’s (a) Contribution to Qur’anic Exegesis”
2025-03-07 21:45 - 2026-03-07 23:00
On Friday, March 7th, 2025, the International Centre for Advanced Islamic Research (ICAIR) hosted an in-person seminar at The WF House, Moorhall Road, UB9 6NS, entitled “Legacy of Insight: The Ahl al-Bayt’s (a) Contribution to Qur’anic Exegesis.”
The seminar was delivered by Dr Shaykh Mohammed Ali Ismail and formed part of ICAIR’s Ramadan series, aligning with the reflective and Qur’anic spirit of the holy month. Dr Ismail guided participants through an exploration of the Ahl al-Bayt’s (a) enduring role as the foremost interpreters of the Qur’an—those whose infallible insight and spiritual authority illuminate its deepest meanings.
The lecture unfolded in two parts: the first grounding their exegetical authority in the Qur’an and Sunna, and the second examining the methods through which this sacred knowledge was transmitted—through teaching tafsīr to companions, unveiling both the exoteric and esoteric dimensions of revelation, and embodying the Qur’an in daily life.
The seminar offered a profound reminder of the centrality of the Ahl al-Bayt (a) to the living tradition of Qur’anic understanding and inspired participants to approach the Qur’an as a text not only to be studied, but lived.

ICAIR Annual Conference 2025: “Faith and the Future: Challenges and Opportunities”
2025-06-20 08:00 - 2025-06-22 17:00
Faith and the Future: Challenges and Opportunities
An international conference addressing the key challenges and opportunities facing the community in a rapidly changing world.
Join scholars, professionals, and community leaders for a weekend of presentations, workshops, and in-depth discussions on the most pressing issues facing those striving to live faithfully in today’s world.
Themes include:
Education | Artificial Intelligence | Biomedical Ethics
Ecology and Sustainability | Islamic Studies
20–22 June 2025
ISIJ of Toronto, 9000 Bathurst Street, Vaughan, ON
Hosted by ICAIR in partnership with the Shia Research Institute, NASIMCO, and The World Federation
More details coming soon: https://instagram.com/icair_ac

Awaiting with Action: Our Bond with Ahl al-Bayt (a) and the 12th Imam (aj) in Modern Times
2025-08-03 00:00
Join us for a special evening with Sayyid Muneer al-Khabbaz, as he explores what it truly means to connect with the Ahl al-Bayt (a) and live in meaningful anticipation of the 12th Imam (aj) — here and now, in our modern world.
🗓️ Sunday 3rd August
🕖 7:00 PM
📍 WF House, Moorhall Road, Harefield, UB9 6NS
👥 Organised by WF Islamic Education and ICAIR
🎫 Limited seats available — register now: https://icair.ac/event
🍽️ Dinner will be provided
🅿️ Parking available

Cryptocurrency and Digital Assets in Islamic Law
2025-11-22 00:00
We’re looking forward to welcoming you to the ICAIR Islamic Futures Symposium on Cryptocurrency and Digital Assets in Islamic Law next week, inshaAllah.
Details:
📅 Saturday 22 November 2025
🕐 1:00 PM
📍 WF House, Moorhall Road, Harefield, UB9 6NS
The programme will begin with lunch at 1:00 PM, followed by a series of short presentations (around 20 minutes each) from Shaykh Alexander Khaleeli, Akber Datoo, Hasanain Dhalla, and Faisal Iqbal, accompanied by open discussions.
Please complete the following short form to confirm your attendance: https://forms.gle/vzZjthwYJYxKuucH6
We look forward to seeing you soon, inshaAllah!
The ICAIR Team

From Stigma to Support: A Research & Training Workshop
2026-04-26 00:00
The International Centre for Advanced Islamic Research (ICAIR) and Risalah Training Institute (RTI) are pleased to announce that expressions of interest are now open for our upcoming Research & Training Workshop on Faith-Informed Mental Health and Crisis Response, taking place online on Sunday 26 April 2026.
Modern medicine can now sustain the body long after an illness has become irreversible. The questions this raises, around life support and resuscitation, and the withholding and withdrawal of treatment, are among the most difficult that patients, families, and clinicians face, and they call for careful engagement from both medicine and the Islamic tradition.

Workshop Overview

This workshop brings together research‑informed understanding and practical pastoral guidance to strengthen mental‑health support within our communities.

Part One — Research Presentation
It will open with Fatima Bandali, presenting research she conducted as part of the Hawza Online Supervised Research Programme. Drawing on lived experiences, community narratives, and Shi‘i theological principles, she will discuss how cultural expectations and misapplied religious concepts can contribute to silence around distress, and how faith can support compassionate, constructive, and resilient approaches to well-being.

Part Two — Practical Training Session
This will be followed by a training session with Sayyid Sameer Ali, a licensed faith‑based counsellor, who will offer a practical introduction to Critical Incident Stress Management. In this session, he will outline key approaches for responding to crisis situations in pastoral settings, including supportive communication, recognising indicators of risk, applying the SAFER model with spiritual sensitivity, and making appropriate referrals.

Who is this for?
This workshop is intended for scholars, community leaders, educators, and those supporting wellbeing in faith‑based settings.

How to express your interest
Attendance at this workshop is by invitation. If you would like to be considered, please register your interest by 15 April 2026.

Selected participants will be contacted by email with confirmation and further details.
We hope this workshop will be a meaningful step toward strengthening mental‑health support within our communities.

ICAIR Virtual Education Symposium 2026
2026-05-30 00:00
📚 ICAIR Virtual Education Symposium 2026
Synthesising Tradition & Innovation: Evidence-Based Case Studies in Islamic Schooling
ICAIR is pleased to invite teachers, administrators, and educational leaders to an online symposium exploring practical and research-driven approaches to Islamic education in the contemporary world.
🗓 Saturday 30 May 2026
💻 Online (Zoom)
🕕 6am–11am PDT
🕘 9am–2pm EDT
🕑 2pm–7pm BST
🕓 4pm–9pm EAT
Attendance is by selection. Interested participants are welcome to register their interest below:
🔗 https://icair.ac/virtual-education-symposium

Biomedical Ethics in Vancouver ICAIR Symposium & Public Forum on End-of-Life Care, 3 – 5 July
2026-07-03 00:00 - 2026-07-05 00:00
The International Centre for Advanced Islamic Research (ICAIR) is pleased to announce two upcoming events on the ethics of end-of-life care, taking place at the Az-Zahraa Islamic Centre, Vancouver, over the weekend of 3–5 July 2026, in collaboration with IMI Canada and NASIMCO.
Modern medicine can now sustain the body long after an illness has become irreversible. The questions this raises, around life support and resuscitation, and the withholding and withdrawal of treatment, are among the most difficult that patients, families, and clinicians face, and they call for careful engagement from both medicine and the Islamic tradition.

Biomedical Ethics Symposium
Saturday 4 & Sunday 5 July (for healthcare professionals and Islamic scholars)
This working symposium brings together healthcare professionals and Islamic scholars to examine these questions, bringing insight from both clinical experience and Islamic teachings into the same room. The symposium runs across Saturday 4 July (full day), with a closing session on Sunday morning to reflect on the discussion and talk through next steps. Selected participants take an active part in the discussion and will not be asked to present a paper.
Places are limited and attendance is by selection. We warmly encourage those working in this field to express their interest. Completing the form does not confirm attendance; all submissions are reviewed, and selected participants will be contacted directly.
Express your interest by Friday 19 June: https://us.list-manage.com/nWIb4Pm5wB5?e=d6ff3821f6&c2id=bd49981095802089cdec94e42ba0fe71
