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Volume 1 · Summer 2023
Renaissance · النهضة

Rekindling an era of Muslim thought

About the Journal

An intellectual renaissance and academic resurgence.

Renaissanceالنهضة—is a seasonal publication committed to rekindling Muslim thought, reflecting on Muslim academic heritage, and marching toward a new intellectual era.

A note on the name

This nahda is distinct from al-Nahda al-‘Arabiya, the cultural revival of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Here, renaissance means a rekindling of Muslim thought—bridging the legacy of the Islamic Golden Age with the questions of contemporary times.

What Renaissance Is

Renaissance is an online publication founded and led by Shaykh Hammad Mustafa al-Madani al-Qadri, who serves as Editor-in-Chief. It aims to discuss contemporary topics and events through the lens of bridging classical Muslim values with present discourse.

Each issue gathers original work from scholars, notable figures, and thought leaders across disciplines — from philosophy and theology to medicine, education, history, ethics, and the sciences. Every article is approved and published as an academic paper.

Two editions have been published to date, with over ten contributing authors from around the world. The journal continues to grow through web articles, a monthly newsletter, and conversations with contributors.

هُوَ ٱلَّذِىٓ أَرْسَلَ رَسُولَهُۥ بِٱلْهُدَىٰ وَدِينِ ٱلْحَقِّ لِيُظْهِرَهُۥ عَلَى ٱلدِّينِ كُلِّهِۦ

“He is the One who has sent his Messenger with true guidance and the religion of truth, making it apparent over all others.”

Qur’an 9:33

Why Now

With the rising tides of misinformation and ignorance surrounding Muslim values—and the difficulties of identity and integration in the West—there is a need now more than ever for serious, evidence-based academic dialogue on contemporary topics.

Young Muslims and curious readers who seek information through this lens often struggle to find work that is rigorous, contextual, and intellectually honest. Renaissance exists to shine light upon classical Islamic values that have been forgotten, set alongside discussions of present concerns.

Our aim is to rekindle the social, cultural, scientific, and intellectual dimensions of Muslim thought through contemporary discussion — bridging the gap to a living Muslim legacy.

From the Editor

Founding statement

Sha’ban 1444 · March 2023

“Where is Ibn Sina today? Ibn Rushd? Al-Rumi? Al-Ghazali? Al-Razi? They all exist here in the contemporary Muslim world. They just need to be discovered and given space to express their intellectual abilities.”

The vast treasures of Muslim intellectual thought still exist — they need to be resurfaced and brought to the forefront of contemporary debate. It is time for a new dawn, a new age, a new consciousness, and a new intellectual civilisation. The first step is to break the shackles of idleness and apathy that have befallen Muslim thought.

Read the full essay

Editorial Team

  • Shaykh Hammad Mustafa al-Madani al-Qadri

    Editor-in-Chief

    Oversees all editorial direction and review

  • Ali Malik

    Lead

    Manages operations and functions of the journal

  • Dr Madeeha Drissi

    Senior Editor

    Final pass of copy and editorial review

  • Dawood Mehmood

    Senior Editor

    Final pass of copy and editorial review

  • Saira Farooq

    Editor & Copy Editor

    Editing and proofreading

  • Safyah Malik

    Editor

    Editing and proofreading

  • Faraz Aalam

    External Designer

    Design direction and inspiration

  • Aisha Ahmed

    Illustrator & Designer

    Original illustrations and magazine layout

  • Hassan Khalid

    Illustrator & Designer

    Original illustrations and magazine layout

Editorial Principles

Rules of publication

  1. 01

    Renaissance operates under the core principles of rekindling classical Muslim values and spreading peace, love, and knowledge.

  2. 02

    We do not publish articles on contentious or politically inflammatory issues.

  3. 03

    All articles are reviewed to maintain appropriate, non-inflammatory language.

  4. 04

    We do not seek to sway the political interests of readers.

Tone & voice

Semi-formal and academic, in the tradition of publications such as The Economist. Factual and informative rather than opinionated. Balanced and accessible to readers across age groups.

Submissions

Suggest an author or topic

We welcome suggestions for contributors and topics. Reach out with your ideas and we’ll be in touch.

info@al-nahda.co.uk  →

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