Join us on April 4th at 7:30pm ET for our next Muslim Women Scholars Series seminar, presented by CCMW and co-sponsored by Emmanuel College!

Speaker: Nevin Reda

Abstract: The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada tells us that in its dealings with Indigenous peoples, Canada engaged in physical, biological and cultural genocide (Summary of the Final Report, p. 1). It followed with 94 Calls to Action in order to redress some of the wrongs of the colonial project and promote reconciliation with Indigenous peoples (Calls to Action, pp. 1ff).

The Calls have resulted in a watershed of intellectual and other activity, churches and seminaries revisiting some of their theological and textual foundations and repudiating troubling concepts such as the Doctrine of Discovery and terra nullius from distinctly Christian perspectives. However, the Bible lies in a continuum of scriptures, with the Qur’an in conversation with its Biblical precursors and providing solutions to these troubling concepts in ways that do justice to all and allow for diverse peoples to thrive and follow their distinct spiritual pathways. New Qur’an-inspired, Islamic feminist re-readings of the Bible can provide constructive insights into some of the problems in Biblical historiographies and presentations of intercommunal ethics.

This talk will examine problematic Biblical texts in connection with genocide, racism, and colonialism more generally from a distinctly constructive, Islamic feminist perspective, showcasing the solutions that the Qur’an provides and how the Qur’anic texts may be used to affect peacemaking, reconciliation, and spiritual and theological growth.