Overview
Fostering Connections between Bioscience and Theology for Medical Track Muslim Students is a new project that II&M is launching in 2022 with the generous support of the John Templeton Foundation (JTF). We aim to help teachers and students gain conceptual literacy on some critical topics at the intersection between science and theology.
As Muslim students explore the biosciences, they may encounter difficult questions and wonder how their religious identity intersects with scientific discoveries: Does affirming scientific facts compromise religious beliefs? Does religion explain scientific findings? How can they navigate these domains constructively? We believe that conflicts are not inevitable, and that knowledge integration is possible and can shape stable professional identities in the future.
The project activities include:
- Seminar series for Muslim high school juniors and seniors.
- Designing of curriculum and instructional materials.
- Implementation of professional workshops for teachers and college instructors.
- Student essays and podcast
Program Approach
Our team consisting of theologians, scientists and educators will conduct a series of seminars that are specifically designed for Muslim high school seniors using a multimodal learning approach. Subsequently, we will develop teaching modules for teachers/instructors. The seminar topics are:
- What do we know and how do we know it? Reasoning Exercises in Religion and Science.
- Human Evolution and God’s Special Creation.
- What does it mean to be Human? Neuroscience, Artificial Intelligence, and Human Nature.
- Human Enhancement and Transhumanism: Are we changing / should we change our being?
- Are We Programmed or Do We Have Free Will? Discussions on Fate and Genetic Determinism.
- Extraterrestrial Beings and Human Uniqueness: What does Science & Theology Tell us?
- Knowledge Cafes and Harvest: Panel Presentations & Moderated Discussions.
Expected Outcomes
- Educational curriculum and materials that are specifically crafted for Muslim High school students.
- Teaching modules for Islamic school teachers and/or college instructors.
- Essays written by seminar participants (students) that describe their learning experiences and how the
program transforms their knowledge and understanding. - Educational materials for the public (eg. flyers, podcasts, etc).
Stakeholders/Partners
- This program is led by Dr Aasim Padela from the Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) as the Project Leader, in collaboration with International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) and Initiative on Islam and Medicine (II&M). Other partners include Darul Qasim, Islamic Schools League of America (ISLA) and High-Quality Educational Consulting (HQEC).
- The seminar series will be run in collaboration with Islamic High Schools across Chicagoland and Milwaukee that include the Muslim Community Center (MCC) Academy, Islamic Foundation School, College Preparatory School of America and Salam School.
AIMS/GOALS
Build conceptual literacy among students and teachers on critical topics at the intersection between bioscience and theology.
Enhance students’ awareness and abilities to address the relationships – including overlap and tension – between bioscience and theology.
Increase students’ intention and preparedness to pursue further inquiry in this field.
Develop relevant teaching modules for Islamic high school/college teachers and instructors.
Seminars
- 1 Chicago, IL
- Date: 14 & 15 Jan, 2023, 18 & 19 Feb, 2023
- Audience: High school juniors(11th graders) and seniors(12th graders) from islamic schools
- Location: Medical College of Wisconsin
- 2 Malaysia, Pahang
- Date: 17th – 20th July, 2023
- Audience: Pre-university Students
- Location: International Islamic University Malaysia
Application process:
- Complete the online application form & upload a recommendation letter
- Either write an essay OR prepare a 5-minute video of yourself explaining your interest in this program
Topics
- Is evolution compatible with Islam?
- Do humans have soul? What do science & religion say about this?
- Do humans really have free will?
- Are we moving towards trans-humanism?
- Do aliens exist? If they do, what that would the mean to human existence?
Form For Teachers and Observers
Publications
Presentations
Policy Reports
will be available soon
Tool Kits
Stay Informed
Subscribe to our monthly newsletter
Program Approach
Our team consisting of theologians, scientists and educators will conduct a series of seminars that are specifically designed for Muslim high school seniors using a multimodal learning approach. Subsequently, we will develop teaching modules for teachers/instructors. The seminar topics are:
- What do we know and how do we know it? Reasoning Exercises in Religion and Science.
- Human Evolution and God’s Special Creation.
- What does it mean to be Human? Neuroscience, Artificial Intelligence, and Human Nature.
- Human Enhancement and Transhumanism: Are we changing / should we change our being?
- Are We Programmed or Do We Have Free Will? Discussions on Fate and Genetic Determinism.
- Extraterrestrial Beings and Human Uniqueness: What does Science & Theology Tell us?
- Knowledge Cafes and Harvest: Panel Presentations & Moderated Discussions.
Expected Outcomes
- Educational curriculum and materials that are specifically crafted for Muslim High school students.
- Teaching modules for Islamic school teachers and/or college instructors.
- Essays written by seminar participants (students) that describe their learning experiences and how the
program transforms their knowledge and understanding. - Educational materials for the public (eg. flyers, podcasts, etc).
Stakeholders/Partners
- This program is led by Dr Aasim Padela from the Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) as the Project Leader, in collaboration with International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) and Initiative on Islam and Medicine (II&M). Other partners include Darul Qasim, Islamic Schools League of America (ISLA) and High-Quality Educational Consulting (HQEC).
- The seminar series will be run in collaboration with Islamic High Schools across Chicagoland and Milwaukee that include the Muslim Community Center (MCC) Academy, Islamic Foundation School, College Preparatory School of America and Salam School.
Seminars
- 1 Chicago, IL
- Date: 14 & 15 Jan, 2023, 18 & 19 Feb, 2023
- Audience: High school juniors(11th graders) and seniors(12th graders) from islamic schools
- Location: Medical College of Wisconsin
- 2 Malaysia, Pahang
- Date: 17th – 20th July, 2023
- Audience: Pre-university Students
- Location: International Islamic University Malaysia
Application process:
- Complete the online application form & upload a recommendation letter
- Either write an essay OR prepare a 5-minute video of yourself explaining your interest in this program
Topics
- Is evolution compatible with Islam?
- Do humans have soul? What do science & religion say about this?
- Do humans really have free will?
- Are we moving towards trans-humanism?
- Do aliens exist? If they do, what that would the mean to human existence?
Form For Teachers and Observers
Publications
Presentations
Policy Reports
will be available soon
Tool Kits
Stay Informed
Subscribe to our monthly newsletter
Project Materials
Our Gallery
Testimonial
Meet The Project Team
OUR TEAM CONSISTS OF SCIENTISTS, EDUCATORS & THEOLOGIANS FROM ACROSS THE GLOBE.
Aasim I. Padela, MD, MSc
(Medical College of Wisconsin & The Initiative on Islam and Medicine)
Shoaib Ahmed Malik, MSc, Phd
Zayed University
Dr. Macksood Aftab, DO
Michigan State University College of Human Medicine
Prof. Abdurezak Hashi, Phd
International Islamic University Malaysia
Dr. Mohd Yusof, Phd
International Islamic University Malaysia
Shaykh Hamza Karamali, MASc
Basira Education
Prof. Omar Qureshi, Phd
Zaytuna College
Ahsan M. Arozullah, MD, MPH
Darul Qasim
Shaykh Bilal Ansari
Darul Qasim
Habeeb Quadri
High Quality Educational Consulting
Dr. Shaza Khan
Executive Director of the Islamic Schools League of America (ISLA)
Raudah Yunus
(Researcher, writer, social activist)
Videos
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Gallery
Partners
Our Research has been featured in five of the top news outlest in the U.S, including the following heading pieces:
The opinions expressed in this publication are those of the authors. They do not reflect the opinions or views of the grant funding organizations.
