The International Institute of Qur’anic Studies
 Building a Bridge between Islam and the Modern World, by Applying the Methodologies of Modern Scholarship to Study of the Qur’an

LibForAll established its International Institute of Qur’anic Studies (IIQS) in March of 2008, under the patronage of LibForAll cofounder H.E. Kyai Haji Abdurrahman Wahid and Dr. Syafi’i Ma’arif, in order to:

  • Develop schools of modern Qur anic interpretation that combine classical exegetical methods with modern scholarship – enabling Muslims to build a bridge between their traditions and the modern world;

  • Propagate free thought and expand the bounds of debate within the Muslim world, while undermining extremists – who seek to limit the scope of acceptable thought through the use of blasphemy and apostasy laws;

  • Support and defend reformers and reform initiatives against organized radical opposition and accusations of blasphemy and infidelity

  • Establish a lasting foundation for a renaissance of Islamic pluralism, tolerance and critical thinking

IIQS is recreating the dynamics of the Protestant Reformation’s success, by bringing together powerful patrons with dynamic reformers, and utilizing new media such as video and the internet to rapidly propagate their pluralistic and tolerant ideas. Key institute projects include the development of schools of modern Qur’anic interpretation; the creation of a Qur’anic Commentary; training of preachers and activists; and dissemination of ideas and publications to a wide audience. Led by some of the world’s top Qur’anic scholars, the institute is establishing schools of modern Qur’anic interpretation in the South East Asian, South Asian and Arab regions, which encompass 70% of the world’s Muslim population – enabling Muslims to build a bridge between their own traditions and the modern world of freedom, equality, human rights, democracy and globalization. 


Patron
LibForAll patron, former Indonesian president H.E. Kyai Haji Abdurrahman Wahid – whom the Wall Street Journal calls “the single most influential religious leader in the Muslim world,” and “easily the most important ally the West has in the struggle against Islamic radicalism”– headed the Nahdlatul Ulama (the world’s largest Muslim organization, with 40 million members) from 1984 -‘99.
(Elector of Saxony) 


former Indonesian president Abdurrahman Wahid

 


Dr. Syafi’i Ma’arif

  

Patron
LibForAll Patron Dr. Syafi’i Ma’arif served as Chairman of the Muhammadiyah – the world’s 2nd largest Muslim organization, with 30 million followers – from 1998 -2005.
(Erasmus/Phillip of Hesse)
 

Reformers
Dr. Nasr Hamid Abu-Zayd and
associated network of scholars.
(Luther, Melanchthon, Calvin, Knox, etc.)

  


New Media
TV, Video, Internet
(Gutenberg Printing Press)

 

 

 


The renowned scholar, Fazlur Rahman’s effort to establish a reformist syllabus for Islamic tertiary education in Pakistan was derailed by the uproar it evoked from local religious leaders, culminating in the dissolution of his reformist project.

Dr. Nasr Hamid Abu-Zayd’s application of Western methodologies of scholarship to the field of Qur’anic interpretation met with a similar response in Egypt – and the complete disruption of Nasr’s intended project to re-interpret the Qur’an in light of modern knowledge and scholarship.

Driven into exile under threat of death, Rahman's subsequent tenure at the University of Chicago inspired a number of brilliant students who helped keep his vision alive including Indonesians Syafi'i Ma'arif (IIQS patron) and Nurcholis who together with LibForAll co-founder Abdurrahman Wahid helped build Indonesia’s civil society movement, and laid the foundation for that nation’s successful transition from authoritarian rule to democracy.

Dr. Abu-Zayd (pictured at right with LibForAll Chairman & CEO C. Holland Taylor), one of the world’s top Qur’anic scholars, turned down a position at Columbia University in order to serve as the Academic Director of LibForAll’s IIQS. He was able to resume his work through this project, which he describes as “giving me back my life!” The fact that Dr. Abu-Zayd is a native Arabic speaker is enhancing the credibility and success of this project in Indonesia, which combines an ancient tradition of pluralism, tolerance and critical thinking with profound respect for Islam and its origins in the Middle East.

The IIQS reached significant milestones in its first year of operation, defeating extremists’ attempts to silence Dr. Abu-Zayd, and holding its first intensive tafsir (“exegesis”) course. This course was held at the Muhammadiyah University of Magelang (UMM) in Central Java – part of a network of 187 Muhammadiyah colleges and universities nationwide – and included over 150 hours of intensive training and practice in modern Qur’anic interpretation. Participants in this first-of-its-kind course included scholars/lecturers from various universities, young leaders from mass organizations – the Nahdlatul Ulama (40 million members) and the Muhammadiyah (30 million members) – and NGO activists. This course created a core network of alumni trained in modern methodologies of interpretation, who will propagate these pluralistic and tolerant interpretations to key audiences – forming the beginnings of a countervailing force to extremist ideology.

Prominent radicals exerted heavy pressure on the university to cancel the course, with controversy extending nationwide in Muhammadiyah and extremist circles. However, IIQS received an outpouring of support from top Muslim leaders including: Dr. Amien Rais (former Chairman of the Muhammadiyah and former speaker of Indonesia’s National Assembly); Dr. Haeder Nashir (current Muhammadiyah Vice Chairman); and Dr. Amin Abdullah (Rector of Sunan Kalijago Islamic State University). These and other Muhammadiyah leaders encouraged participants to continue their work with IIQS, and enabled UMM/IIQS to complete the course despite vigorous opposition from radical elements. Consequently, several other major Indonesian universities also expressed interest in hosting future IIQS courses.

By working with female scholars, teachers and activists, IIQS is establishing a theological foundation and providing the practical means to promote women’s rights throughout the Muslim world. In his seminal article "“Right Islam vs. Wrong Islam", which appeared in the Wall Street Journal, Kyai Haji Abdurrahman Wahid presents 16 strengths that can be used to counter extremist ideology. One of them is: “the power of the feminine spirit, and the fact that half of humanity consists of women, who have an inherent stake in the outcome of this struggle.” To draw on this strength, it is critical to empower female scholars, teachers and activists, providing them with training to interpret the Qur’an, and support for propagating these modern interpretations to their respective constituencies.

 

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