This one-day seminar at the Woolf Institute in Cambridge explores the theme of Time, Faith and Gathering through the lens of Ibn 'Arabi's metaphysics. Three short presentations will be followed by commentary by Pablo Beneito and open discussion. The seminar will be transmitted live with Zoom.
Presenters are Luke Wilkinson (Ian Karten Scholar at the Woolf Institute), Sahar ElAsad (Cambridge University), and Barnaby Willett (Garrison Institute Fellow). Expert commentary by Pablo Beneito (University of Mercia, Spain). Hina Khalid, PhD (Woolf Institute/Cambridge University) will be Chair.
The event is organized on behalf of the Muhyiddin Ibn 'Arabi Society and will run from 9:30am-5:00pm GMT.
Agenda
09:30 AM - 10:00 AM
Arrival, Gathering & Welcome | Opening Remarks by Chair Hina Khalid
10:00 AM - 10:15 AM
Introductions | Short Introductions from Presenters and Participants
10:15 AM - 11:30 AM
Presentation 1 | Luke Wilkinson. Commentary by Pablo Beneito & Discussion
Talk Title: "The Sign of Time in Ibn Arabi’s Futuhat." Description: This talk considers time as perhaps the most prominent symbol of al-Haqq, the Real, in creation. After unpacking Ibn Arabi's apparently paradoxical claim that time is illusory, it turns to Muhammad Iqbal's (d. 1938) philosophy of time. It then applies an Iqbalian hermeneutic to Ibn Arabi's Futuhat to reveal time as a profound sign of Allah in creation.
11:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Coffee & Tea Break
12:00 PM - 1:15 PM
Presentation 2 | Guest Presenters. Commentary by Pablo Beneito & Discussion
1:15 PM - 2:45 PM
Catered Lunch
2:45 PM - 4:00 PM
Presentation 3 | Barnaby Willett. Commentary by Pablo Beneito & Discussion
Talk Title: "Thus Have I Heard: Signs of Time and Faith in the Speaker." Description: A narrative reflection on Ibn 'Arabi and the Youth, Jeffrey Raff's Jungian conception of our unique Divine Name, and the presenter's own journey.
4:00 PM - 4:30 PM
Coffee & Tea Break
4:30 PM - 5:00 PM
Final Plenary Session | Presenters with Pablo Beneito and Chair Hina Khalid
