About KRM

Kalam Research & Media (KRM) is a collegial think tank and training centre dedicated to research, education, content development, and capacity building in the following core areas: Islamic Theology (Kalam); Islamic Philosophy & Wisdom; Islamic Philosophy of Science, Technology, & the Environment; Inter-Faith Engagement; Inter-Faith Conflict Prevention & Resolution; Scriptural Reasoning & Hermeneutics; Islamic Professional & Business Ethics; Creative & Critical Thinking; Compassion Architecture.

KRM strives to contribute to the common good as a hub of collegial scholarly collaboration aimed at constructing signs of hope for our troubled times. Celebrating the intensities of the in-between, it aims at renewal, creativity, and responsible engagement between faith and contemporary living. Combining rootedness with openness, and repair with construction, it works on research and formation that are conducive to a Compassion Architecture for our world.

KRM's work and direction is guided and calibrated through intensive consultation with leading Muslim theologians, jurists, and spiritual guides. Consultation and arbitration (shura and tahkim) are foundational. The preservation and continuation of scholarly lineages (asanid) are key to KRM’s activities.

KRM is located in Dubai’s thriving Knowledge Village, and near Dubai’s Media City. Knowledge Village offers a collegial university environment conducive to research and education, while Media City is the regional media hub.

KRMa thrives on collaborative connectivity to a global network of think tanks, research centres, theological seminaries, and university advanced studies centres. It seeks to be a vital node in a complex network of academic, theological, spiritual and ethical cooperation.

KRM, through the accumulated work, experience, and contacts of its members and advisors, enjoys strong and fruitful relations and partnerships with such institutions as: Dar al-Ifta’, Cairo, Egypt; Dar al-Mustafa , Tahrim, Yemen; Tabah Foundation, Abu Dhabi, UAE; Royal Aal al-Bayt Institute, Amman, Jordan; Islamic Call Society and Islamic Call College, Tripoli, Libya; Uthman Pasha Madrasa, Tripoli, Libya; Cambridge Inter-Faith Programme, Cambridge University, UK; Reconciliation Program, Yale Center for Faith and Culture, USA; Princeton Theological Seminary, USA; Society for Scriptural Reasoning, University of Virginia, USA; Pontifical Institute for Arabic and Islamic Studies, Rome, Italy; Civilization Study Center, Bahçes¸ehir University, Istanbul, Turkey; Global Network of Research Centers, University of Heidelberg, Germany; Iqbal Academy, Lahore, Pakistan.

KRM, in addition to the expertise of its resident team, builds on the experience and work of many advisors, fellows, and associates throughout the world. Kalam Research & Media has already initiated projects in the following areas:

Theology: KRM is working on the renewal of Islamic Theology (kalam, meaning “discourse”) around compassion, wisdom, and the common good. In this work KRM engages with leading theologians from other religious traditions, especially Christianity and Judaism.
Faith, Philosophy and Science: KRM is fostering scholarly and creative engagement between theologians, jurists, philosophers, social and natural scientists, and artists.
Scriptural Reasoning and Hermeneutics: KRM is promoting training and praxis in Scriptural Reasoning and Hermeneutics.
Inter-Faith: KRM is promoting global, regional, and local Inter-Faith initiatives, and is developing curricula, outreach resources, and publications to support them.
Media: KRM is developing Media & Faith workshops and resources for religious leaders, media professionals, writers, artists, journalists and broadcasters.
Education: KRM is developing curricula, workshops, seminars, conferences, retreats and exhibitions in its core areas.
Research and Publication: KRM is conducting research, and prepares translations and publications in the core areas.

  • Templeton Big Questions Series

    Dr Aref Nayed contributes an essay on the question "Does Moral Action Depend on Reasoning?" for Templeton Foundation's Big Question Series     
  • Condemnation on Bombing of Coptic Church

    Kalam Research and Media (KRM) expresses its full disgust and condemnation at the tragic attack on the innocent worshippers in the Saints Church in Alexandria, Egypt, on New Year's Eve. Such barbaric acts go against all the sacred religious, spiritual and legal traditions of the Abrahamic faiths. All men and women of faith need to stand firmly against such hatred and cowardly acts that aim at nothing but the igniting of sectarian and religious hatred. We pray for the families of those murdered and injured, and we urge Muslims and Christians and their respective institutions of authority in civil society to work in partnership and with renewed commitment to maintain and strengthen national and religious unity.    Statements from Muslim and Christian Leaders 1. Statement by The World Islamic Call Society 2. Statement by His Eminence Dr Ali Gomaa (The Grand Mufti of Egypt) 3. Statement by His Eminence Dr Ali Gomaa (The Grand Mufti of Egypt); His Eminence Theodore Cardinal McCarrick (Archbishop Emeritus of Washington DC); His Eminence Dr Mustafa Ceric (Grand Mufti of Bosnia) on behalf of the C-1 World Dialogue 4. Statement by Sheikh Salah El-Din Mestaoui, Tunisia 5. Statement by the World Council of Churches 6. Statement by the Middle East Council of Churches 7. Statement by the National Committee for Dialogue in Lebanon 8. Statement by the Conference of European Churches (CEC) 
  • Transforming Communities, Building a Common Future

    An International Consultation of Muslims and Christians calls for Rapid Deployment Peace Teams to be formed, so as to be mobilized whenever a crisis arises.     
 

Features

  • World Interfaith Harmony Week

    The World Interfaith Harmony Week, officially proclaimed by the UN, will be held for the first time on 1-7 Feb 2011     
  • Interfaith Meetings

    Dr Aref Nayed greets the Ecumenical Patriarch, His All Holiness Bartholomew I and leaders of the Syrian Orthodox Church in Istanbul     
  • The Tabah Foundation

    KRM and Tabah Foundation, Abu Dhabi, cooperate on joint initiatives and projects, and work together to release statement by scholars     
  • Nanotechnology and Ethics

    Nanotechnology is a subject frought with controversy. Sheikh Musa Furber, a researcher at the Tabah Foundation, examines some of the issues at play