In June, the Muslim Institute launched its new British Muslim Futures Network project with a two-day workshop on ‘Futures Literacy’ held in Manchester.
The network is intended to build competency in British Muslim communities in the use of Futures Studies, methods and techniques to support better research, planning and the development of critically-assessed strategies for the future shaped, influenced, directed, and enabled by Muslims.
The workshop was supported by the International Institute of Islamic Thought (IIIT) and delivered by the Centre for Postnormal Policy and Futures Studies (CPPFS), the workshop saw groups of invited Muslims from a variety of disciplines participate in sessions covering Trends analysis, Emerging issues, Future wheels, Scenarios and Visioning exercises. The sessions were led by Professor Ziauddin Sardar, trustee of the Muslim Institute, who kicked off the workshop with a presentation detailing Three Arguments for Islamic Futures, alongside CPPFS colleagues Dr Jordi Sera del Pino and Dr Wendy Schultz. The weekend was organised by writer Shenaz Bunglawala, who is also an Institute trustee.
Participants grappled with chosen topics such as the possible future role of Artificial Intelligence in education, digital currency, and scenarios involving the future of lab-grown meat.
Further sessions of the British Muslim Futures Network are being planned for later in 2024. For more information please get in touch at [email protected]
VOICES OF THE PARTICIPANTS
Dr Siema Iqbal, GP
“The course really made me think beyond the box, in a 3D way. I have been creating change at work for years but now feel I am able to create effective, informed change using the skills taught to analyse trends, identify emerging issues, map out scenarios and create and explain a vision more clearly .
The course was pitched at just the right level. The workshop has helped me to project information, to see further on the horizon than I have been used to in the past. I've also scheduled a meeting at work to use the skills learnt to create a strategy for the practice over the next 5 to 10 years. It will guide us to focus on who to target to make real change happen rather than rely on an ad hoc approach with no appreciation as to how many and what type of people we need to engage with.
Following the course, whilst reading a simple article about a beauty brand, I was able to see how trends have been used and emerging issues capitalised upon whereas previously, although I would have some understanding of this, I wouldn't have been able to see the depth of meaning beyond the surface words on the page.”
Professor Ziauddin Sardar
Sabirah Bibi, data analyst
“It was a weekend of thought-provoking conversations in a warm, professional environment. I came in not knowing what to expect and left contemplating the future for our communities, the future development of futurist theories and methods in further research, and the potential applications in healthcare, business, policy-making, innovation, and many other areas for societal development.
Speakers included the highly respected Professor Ziauddin Sardar, who developed the concept of Post-Normal Times (PNT), alongside colleagues Dr Wendy Schultz and Dr Jordi Serra del Pino. As they discussed their research and insights into futurist approaches, exploring trends, scenario planning and visioning, it made me realise how we can do more, think more, and plan more to secure a better future.
As Muslims, reframing our mind through understanding postnormal times theory and approaches may enable us to better prepare for what lies ahead and help drive change in favour of humanity and the planet. The Prophet (SAW) said: Allah is in the aide of His servant for as long as he is in the aide of others.”
Faiz Salim, Chemical engineer
“I had a fantastic experience. It really opened up my thinking. I learnt how prospects of the future can be both exciting and daunting, but also how it is absolutely vital to investigate all possibilities and their respective impacts regardless, for those who wish to be prepared.
The weekend began with the arguments for why the Muslim community specifically ought to consider the future. This included evidences and examples from the Qur’an and hadith, along with some other logical reasons, including the risks of not doing so and the imperative of ensuring we have a stake in the future.
Most of the sessions were accompanied with a practical exercise for practising the techniques in an area of our choice, which in my particular group’s case was the use of AI in education. These were both fun and effective as a tool; identifying emerging trends/issues at very early stages of development, the impacts these might have in our lives and on the planet, forecasting different scenarios, and finally, constructing a vision for the future of our field.
What really shocked me after discovering how widespread the applications of futures studies were, was how I had never come across it until this specific workshop. Given that it is practised widely by think tanks and governments (including the UK government), I feel these practices ought to be better known, understood and performed by Muslim-led organisations.“
Dr Wendy Schultz, Dr Jordi Serra del Pino and Professor Ziauddin Sardar.