The first Lower Sixth meeting of the recently revived Purvis Society met on Thursday 21^st September to consider ‘Islam in your Backyard’. The Chaplain, the Revd Phil Parker, introduced the topic by outlining both the history and beliefs of Islam.

 

The question he posed that 9/11 had raised was, ‘Are Osama bin Laden and the Taliban genuine, representative Muslims, or a small lunatic fringe?’ Armed with a clearer grasp of Islam’s past and self-understanding a lively debate followed amongst the 40 members of the Lower Sixth present.

 

The Purvis Society was established in 1939, and takes its name from that of a long-serving Housemaster. Under the aegis of the Master of the scholars it now acts as the umbrella society for an impressive range of lectures and discussions, given both by members of the Common Room and outside speakers.