FORUM FOR SOCIAL STUDIES

The Forum for Social Studies which was founded by Dr. Hasan Zaman and Begum Anwara Zaman  is an Islamic Charitable Organisation, registered with the British Charity Commission (Registration No. 295352) with an aim to promote Islam and Islamic education.

The Forum serves as a platform for Muslim scholars and layman alike, to inform the masses, Muslims and non-Muslims concerning Islamic viewpoints, to present the social problems of Muslims and work out a united and harmonious strategy in order to find solution to them.

Though the establishment of the Forum dates back to 1st December 1986, It was visioned, more than 40 years ago as an imperative necessity for Muslims by Marhoom Dr. Hasan Zaman, who laid the foundation of the organisation. Ever since his life as a student and later Professor at the King Abdul Aziz University, Jeddah, equipped with his dynamic philosophical mind, sharpened by years of research and experience, he felt the need for striking a common factor between traditional and modern education. To put it in his own words to establish the relationship of man to nature, to himself, and a balanced study to assist the Muslims to formulate an Islamic position on contemporary problems. Dr. Zaman was alarmed by the fact that ravaged by the onslaught of colonialism, the Muslims were gradually losing their identity, being influenced by nationalism, racism and contemporary forms of tribalism and proceeding headlong to secular identities. The shocking aspect of it all remains that the Muslims seemed satisfied at their apathetic state and considered restoration of identity as someone elses headache. There was a silent consensus that western non-Muslim scholars were the specialist interpreters of Islam and their opinion were blindly accepted without question.

Therefore it is an important decisive factor that the Muslim populace in general and the youth in particular channel and fortify their energies and passions in the service of the noble goals of life, that is virtue, justice, truth and to eradicate all misconceptions concerning Islam. The first step towards such achievement is recognition of our strength and identifying our short-comings. Literature and cultural actions are great instruments for impressing and moulding the mind and the Forum strives to function as a machinery to build these instruments.

The Forum for Social Studies is a functional non-profit earning organisation, which does not seek to be centred among the Muslim elite but welcomes the equal participation of all Muslims willing to contribute on a voluntary basis without obligation on our part.
Alhamdulllilah, we are moving ahead with Allah Subhanahu Wa Taalas help. InshaAllah slowly but surely we hope to see our efforts see the light of day. To put it in the words of Dr. Hasan Zaman to build the roads of the mind to the best of our ability. Allahs help is with us and success is near.


Trustees:
1. Dr. Abdullah Omar Nasseef-Chairman
2. Dr. Tanweer Itaat Hasan Zaman-Secretary and Treasurer
3. Dr. Tasneem N. Zaman-Member
4. Ms. Tazeen I. Zaman-Member

                     5. Mrs. Fouzia Tabasum Khan-Member

Administration:

*Dr. Abdullah Omar Nasseef-Chairman

* Dr. Tanweer I. Hasan Zaman-Vice-Chairman, Administration, Finance and Projects

* Dr. Tasneem N. Zaman- Director General, Reasearch

* Mr. Shafaat Ahmed-Director General- Liason and Communication

* Mr. Tanzeem Salimur Rahman- Administration

*Ms. Tazeen I. Zaman- Assistant Director

*Mrs. Fouzia Khan-Administrative Assistant


PUBLICATIONS:

Pamphlets and booklets:

The Forum regularly publishes pamphlets and booklets on various Islamic topics. These publication covers Islam in General, Islamic Education, Islamic History, Islamic Economics, Islamic Law, Islamic Social Science, Islamic Science, Quran, Hadith, Biography and Childrens topics. Over 375 pamphlets and 40 booklets have been published.

Forum Bulletin:

Since 1988, the Forum has been publishing the Forum Bulletin every month. The Bulletin is distributed free worldwide. The contents include Muslim World News, Forum News, From the Holy Quran, From the Hadith, Islamic articles and Islamic Questions and answers. In Ramadan every year a special 24 page issue of the Bulletin is published.

Al-Mubeen Islamic Magazine:

The Forum launched the Al-Mubeen Islamic magazine in 1991. The magazine is published three times a year. The contents of the magazine include- Guidance from the Holy Quran and Sunnah, Current events in the Muslim World, Islamic articles covering various aspects of Islam , Youth pages and Islamic questions and answers.

Providing Islamic Literature:

AlHamdulillah, the Forum has been able to distribute over 5 million Islamic literature worldwide in the form of books, pamphlets, Holy Quran translations, Islamic magazines. These publications are either published by us or collected/purchased from various sources for free distribution. The Forum has set up Islamic Libraries at various University Libraries and Islamic organizations.

Forum Dawah project:

Among the Forums activities is Islamic Dawah by mail. It began as a result of the recent Islamic awakening in many third world countries, particularly in Africa, In spite of having been educated in Christian schools, many Muslims are rediscovering their religion but are often uninformed about how to practice it correctly. Some are working enthusiastically with minimal knowledge to spread Islam. Both Muslims and non-Muslims seek basic information about Islam as well as guidance pertaining to specific issues. The Forum receives questions and numerous requests for brief Islamic literature, which is not readily available in most countries. In addition, the purchase of any book, even a Quran is beyond the financial capability of the average person. Most of the correspondence received is in English and some is in Arabic.

To meet the growing need, the Forum first printed a number of leaflets and then began to purchase relevant Islamic booklets reflecting correct Aqeedah of Ahl as-Sunnah and mail them to interested parties. The response was a significant increase in these requests from students, professional people, local dawah workers, schools and Islamic centers. This method of dawah proved to be limited but effective weapon against the wave of Christian missionary activities in Africa, as many of the letters testify. We also receive and provide literature from prisons and armed forces personnel from the United States. For the last twelve years the Forum has made an effort to supply whatever is possible with its limited budget dependant on donations.

ISLAMIC AUDIO VISUALS:

DVD/CD and AUDIO CD:

The Forum has been producing Islamic Audio visual material in the form of AUDIO CD, DVD and VCD. A total of over 600 Islamic DVD's and over 500 Audio CD's have been produced. New titles are added every year.

EDUCATION:

Classes:

The Forum regular holds Islamic classes for children. An intensive summer Islamic course is held every summer. The Forum proposes to set up schools for children and adults in the future inshaAllah.

Workshops:

Islamic Dawah Workshops are organized regularly every year for adults.

Ph.D programme:

The Forum is in the planning stage of starting a Ph.D programme in Islamic Education. Details will be available when it commences.(Visit www.forumuniversity.org for details)

Scholarship:

The Forum provides few small scholarships to needy students in some third world countries. We hope to expand this project in the future.