After a delay of more than a year, as a result of the pandemic; and with our keenness to hold commemorative activities and events worthy of the personality of our late Founder and Chairman, H.E. Sheikh Ahmed Zaki Yamani (may his soul rest in peace); Al-Furqan Islamic Heritage Foundation organised two commemorative activities in this regard, namely:
1) A Commemorative Evening
The Commemorative Evening took place on Wednesday, 25 May 2022, from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm, at the Royal Society in London; in the presence of dignitaries, academics, scholars and distinguished guests, who were closely linked to His Excellency, in addition to friends and members of his family.
The Evening Programme included: a Reception; a photo exhibition under the title: “H.E. Sheikh Ahmed Zaki Yamani Through the Years”; opening words by Ms Sue Nockall, member of the team of Al-Furqan; welcoming words by Mr Sharaf Yamani, the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Foundation; a documentary video about H.E. Sheikh Ahmed Zaki Yamani’s life and ideas, under the title: “The Heritage of an Ummah in a Man” (English version); dinner, and commemorative speeches from the following:
- H.E. Prof. Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, Member of the Board of Directors of Al-Furqan Islamic Heritage Foundation
- The R.T. Hon. Baroness Gloria Hooper, Member of the House of Lords
- Mr. Julian Lee, Energy Expert at Bloomberg, and ex-member of The Centre for Global Energy Studies
- Prof. Professor M.A.S. Abdel Haleem, BA Arabic & Islamic Studies and MA Islamic Studies, SOAS, University of London
- Dr Abbas Tashkandy, Secretary General of The Centre for the Encyclopedia of Makkah & Madinah - Al-Furqan Islamic Heritage Foundation
- Dr Bashar Awwad Ma’rouf, Member of the Board of Experts of the Centre for the Study of Islamic Manuscripts - Al-Furqan Islamic Heritage Foundation
- Dr Essam al-Bashir, Member of the Board of Experts of the Centre for the Study of the Philosophy of Islamic Law - Al-Furqan Islamic Heritage Foundation
- Mr Sali Shahsivari, Managing Director of Al-Furqan Islamic Heritage Foundation
2) A Symposium on "The Personality and the Ideas of His Excellency Sheikh Ahmed Zaki Yamani".
The Symposium was held on Thursday, May 26, 2022, from 9:00 am until 5:00 pm, at the Foundation's headquarters in London; in the presence of dignitaries, academics, scholars and distinguished guests, who were closely linked to His Excellency, in addition to friends and members of his family.
In this Symposium, papers related to the personality and vision of H.E. Sheikh Ahmed Zaki Yamani were presented, with a special focus on the three areas of interest within the Al-Furqan Foundation, the pioneering project he founded and was closest to his heart.
The Symposium’s Programme included: a Reception; a photo exhibition under the title: “H.E. Sheikh Ahmed Zaki Yamani Through the Years”; welcoming words by Mr Sharaf Yamani, the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Foundation; a documentary video about H.E. Sheikh Ahmed Zaki Yamani’s life and ideas, under the title: “The Heritage of an Ummah in a Man” (Arabic version); lunch; and commemorative sessions and speeches as following:
First Session, under the title: “The Polyhedric Personality of HE Sheikh Ahmed Zaki Yamani”; which included the following speakers:
- Dr Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, Member of the Board of Directors of Al-Furqan Islamic Heritage Foundation
- Dr Mohammed Salim Elawa, Member of the Board of Directors of Al-Furqan Islamic Heritage Foundation
- Mr Sali Shahsivari, Managing Director of Al-Furqan Islamic Heritage Foundation
Second Session, under the title: “Sheikh Ahmed Zaki Yamani’s Ideas and Efforts in Reviving the Studies on the Islamic Written Heritage” (through Al-Furqan in general, and through the Centre for the Study of the Islamic Written Heritage - Manuscript Centre - in particular); which included the following speakers:
- Dr Mohammed Adnan al-Bakheet, Member of the Board of Experts of the Centre for the Study of Islamic Manuscripts - Al-Furqan Islamic Heritage Foundation
- Dr Bashar Awwad Ma’rouf, Member of the Board of Experts of the Centre for the Study of Islamic Manuscripts - Al-Furqan Islamic Heritage Foundation
Third Session, under the title: “Sheikh Ahmed Zaki Yamani’s Ideas and Efforts in Reviving the Studies on the Two Holy Cities – Makkah and Madinah” (through Al-Furqan in general, and through the Centre for the Encyclopaedia of Makkah and Madinah - Mawsoa Centre - in particular); which included the following speakers:
- Dr Abbas Tashkandy, Secretary General of The Centre for the Encyclopedia of Makkah & Madinah - Al-Furqan Islamic Heritage Foundation
- Dr Adnan al-Harithi al-Shareef, Member of the Academic Board of The Centre for the Encyclopedia of Makkah & Madinah - Al-Furqan Islamic Heritage Foundation
- Dr Mi’raj Nawab Mirza, Member of the Academic Board of The Centre for the Encyclopedia of Makkah & Madinah - Al-Furqan Islamic Heritage Foundation
Fourth Session, under the title:“Sheikh Ahmed Zaki Yamani’s Ideas and Efforts in Reviving the Studies on the Philosophy of Islamic Law – Maqasid al-Shariah” (through Al-Furqan in general, and through the Centre for the Study of the Philosophy of Islamic Law - Maqasid Centre - in particular); which included the following speaker:
- Dr Essam al-Bashir, Member of the Board of Experts of the Centre for the Study of the Philosophy of Islamic Law - Al-Furqan Islamic Heritage Foundation
The symposium was concluded with a closing speech by Mr Sali Shahsivari, the Managing Director of the Foundation, who thanked the speakers and attendees, and indicated that the papers presented in this Symposium will be published in a memorial book.
"The Heritage of an Ummah in a Man"
A Symposium on "The Personality and the Ideas of His Excellency Sheikh Ahmed Zaki Yamani"
(Note: Videos are in Arabic language)