University of Auckland offers Islamic studies

The School of Theology at the University of Auckland will offer a course in Islamic studies next year.
The university added the course because of “a growing interest in Islamic religion and its role in the contemporary world”.
Dr Zain Ali, head of the university’s Islamic Studies research unit and course teacher says the study of Islamic cultures is an “important component of any internationally recognised university given their contribution to world civilisation, historical prominence, and involvement in contemporary global politics”.
The course ‘Islam and the Contemporary World’ will provide an introduction to Islam as a living tradition within a global context, while paying particular attention to Muslim presence and experience in NZ and Australia.
It will provide a historical survey of Islam – including developments in Muslim theology, philosophy, and the interpretation of the Koran.
There will also be a focus on contemporary themes relating to Islam, with core questions asked such as: is Islam compatible with democracy? What is the position of women in Islam? Is Islamic law practicable? How should the Koran be interpreted?
The course is part of a Bachelor of Theology degree and will also be available to students more widely as a General Education course.