Abdullah al Andalusi was invited to speak at the UCL, University of London, to present and discuss the topic “Does Islam Need a Reformation?”. He made rational, historical, sociological, anthropological and political arguments against the most common excuses demanding a Secular Reformation of Islam, touted by Western governments, Atheists like Sam Harris and Ayan Hersi Ali, and other Secular Liberal missionaries (called ‘Reformists’ or modernists).

The event also discussed the ideology that Modernists want Islam to bend the knee to: Secular Liberalism. Liberalism was discussed in creed, development and practical implementation, and found substantially lacking consistency, accuracy (about Humans) and devoid of connection to Western technological and economic development (China was used as a counter-example).

The event then opened to the audience for questions, and  an interesting and amicable back and forth with the audience ensued, including members of the Atheist, Humanist and Secularist student society who attended.

Watch the fascinating discussion below.

[Abdullah cited a study that puts South American countries as the most happiest in the world. There is currently a popular study called the ‘world happiness report’ that doesn’t put south americans countries as top. This is because  that measures primarily GDP, wealth and political factors as part of its calculations – measures which do not necessarily corroborate happiness. However, if you include in a survey, more demonstrably happiness corroborating questions about people’s positive experiences and emotional states, South American countries dominate the top of the list].

[VIDEO CORRECTION: In the Q/A Abdullah al Andalusi brought up the example of Muslims building new cities, during the early expansion of Islam Caliphate over the Eastern Roman Empire, in newly conquered areas so as not to disturb the native peoples encountered. While this is true, a small error was made when he mistakenly cited Cairo being built next to the Egyptian Capital, Fustat (which happened under the later Fatimids). However, Abdullah meant to say that Fustat was an example of a city built by Muslims relatively near the original Egyptian capital, Alexandria. Abdullah mistakenly referred to the Fatimid building of Cairo near Fustat, and upon realising the error has asked for this correction to be highlighted].