The Djinn Within: Demystifying Beliefs about Possession

All traditional societies are underpinned by a belief in the supernatural. From occultic mysteries to wandering spirits and guardian angels, the idea of the supernatural both enthrals and explains the unexplainable.

Across the Muslim world this is embodied through the djinn: beings who are like humans but have superhuman powers, are not dead spirits but living entities, exist in a separate, impenetrable realm yet can easily infiltrate ours.

Djinn are universally believed by Muslims to exist, yet the idea of djinn possession, a recurring motif in Muslim folklore and Islamic literature, remains contested.

In this talk, Professor Rasjid Skinner draws upon his personal experience and research as a clinical psychologist to discuss the very real effects of djinn possession – whether actual or imagined, dangerous or harmless – as well as its basis in the Qur’an and Sunnah. Nick Jubber will discuss regional variations in beliefs about djinn possession across the Muslim world, specifically in Morocco and Palestine, and provide comparative examples of spirit possession in other cultures. The event will be chaired by clinical psychologist Dr. Hasan Waheed.

ALL EVENTS ARE FREE ENTRY BUT REQUIRE SEPARATE REGISTRATION ON EVENTBRITE.COM.

Professor Rasjid Skinner is a Consultant Clinical Psychologist and Jungian Psychotherapist with over 40 years’ experience of dealing with a variety of psychological problems. He is a Chartered Psychologist and Associate Fellow of the British Psychological Society. He has worked with others over many years developing the clinical application of an Islamic understanding of the Self. He is a Visiting Professor of Clinical Psychology at the University of Karachi. He teaches at the Cambridge Muslim College and is a visiting lecturer on the Clinical Psychology course at The University of Sheffield. He has presented at numerous conferences nationally and internationally on Islamic Psychology.

Nick Jubber is an award-winning travel writer. His journeys have taken him to the Ethiopian highlands, the Afghan lowlands, and the heart of the Sahara. Fascinated by history and its relationship with the present, he explores connections – and mis-connections – across the centuries. In his latest book, ‘The Fairy Tellers’, this fascination carries him from Kashmir to Lapland to find out the secret history behind some of the world’s most beloved, as well as many long forgotten fairy tales. He has been shortlisted three times for the prestigious Stanford Dolman award (and won it for his debut, ‘The Prester Quest’), and has spoken at major literary festivals including Hay-on-Wye, Edinburgh and Cheltenham.

Dr. Hasan Waheed is a Clinical Psychologist and works with children, adolescents and families from culturally diverse ethnic backgrounds. He has worked for CAMHS and Just Psychology who offer specialist expertise to improve the accessibility and appropriateness of psychological and mental health services for black and minority ethnic children and their families. He lectures on transcultural cognitive behavioural therapy and working across cultures, both at university level and for mental health and therapy practitioners. He is a regular presenter at national conferences and has published articles in the field. Finally, he currently sits on the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy Board for the British Psychological Society.