The Archbishop of Canterbury has conferred a major award to Professor Mona Siddiqui for her work on interfaith dialogue. The Most Reverend and Right Honourable Justin Welby presented Ms. Siddiqui, Professor of Islamic and Interreligious Studies at the School of Divinity, with the Hubert Walter Award for Reconciliation and Interfaith Cooperation. The ceremony took place at Lambeth Palace on 4 April 2019, followed by evening prayers in the Archbishop’s Chapel. Eloquent advocate The Archbishop has described Professor Siddiqui as “one of the UK’s most eloquent and articulate advocates for interfaith dialogue and a most cogent commentator on current affairs, religion and public life". It’s an honour and very humbling to receive such a significant award. While I don't see myself as a campaigner or catalyst for interfaith reconciliation, I hope that my academic and public discussions around Islam and Christianity, and religion and ethics more broadly, help people of all backgrounds to find a greater and more nuanced understanding of some of the most pressing social and political issues today. Professor Mona SiddiquiProfessor of Islamic and Interreligious Studies The Hubert Walter Award for Reconciliation and Interfaith Cooperation was first awarded by Archbishop Justin Welby in March 2016. It is named after Hubert Walter, Archbishop of Canterbury from 1193 to 1205, who had dialogue with non-Christians at a time of inter-faith conflict. Leading commentator In 2011, Professor Siddiqui became first person to hold a chair in Islamic and Interreligious Studies when she joined the University of Edinburgh. Her research is primarily in the field of Islamic jurisprudence (fiqh) and ethics and Christian-Muslim relations. She has written several books on aspects of Islamic thought and Christian-Muslim relations. Professor Siddiqui is a regular commentator in the media, known especially for her contributions to Thought For The Day on BBC Radio 4 and BBC Radio Scotland. In 2016, Professor Siddiqui was invited by the Home Office to lead an independent review of shari`a councils in the UK. In 2011, she was appointed OBE for her services to interfaith relations. Related links School of Divinity The Archbishop of Canterbury Publication date 05 Apr, 2019
