Islamic positions”, it is necessary, to have a basic understanding of Islam, its history, its terminology and its fundamental concepts and tropes. THE EXPERTS 78. I heard evidence from the Claimant’s expert, Robert Gleave, Professor of Arabic Studies at Exeter University, and the BBC’s expert, Dr Matthew Wilkinson, Research Fellow at the Centre of Islamic Studies at the School of Oriental & African Studies (SOAS). They were both instructed to prepare reports by reference to the Claimant’s speeches: (a) explaining the various different meanings of the word ''jihad" in the contexts used by the Claimant; (b) translating and explaining the various Arabic words and hadith (sayings and actions of the Prophet Muhammad) used in the passages quoted by the Claimant; and (c) explaining the roles and significance of some of the historical figures cited by the Claimant in his speeches. 79. There was, however, asymmetry in their reports in four respects. First, they did not consider all the same speeches: the only speeches in respect of which they both gave expert evidence were KINGSTON UNIVERSITY SPEECH (2006), DEVIANT GROUPS SPEECH (2009), CAGE PRISONERS SPEECH (2010) and HHUGS SPEECH (2011) (see further below). 80. Second, the scope of their instructions differed. Dr Wilkinson’s instructions were much broader. He was instructed additionally to assess the 'cumulative effect' of the Claimant’s speeches and publications with regard to jihad and whether the Claimant espoused ‘moderate’ or ‘extreme’ positions from an Islamic perspective. He was also instructed to explain the role of a Chief Imam of a Mosque. Professor Gleave did not receive such instructions. 81. Third, their perspectives differed. Professor Gleave’s perspective comes from his position as an academic with a research interest in Islamic legal studies. Dr Wilkinson’s comes from the position of a practising Muslim academic with a traditional Islamic education who has a research interest in Islam and Muslims in Education and Law. 82. Fourth, as a result, their methodologies differed. Professor Gleave begins from the perspective that what is, and what is not, “Islam” or “Islamic” is a matter of personal theological commitment, and cannot be definitively determined by academic research or theological Islamic scholarship. Dr Wilkinson begins from the perspective that what does, and does not, constitute mainstream and authentic Islamic belief and practice, including some contested areas, can be determined by an objective set of intellectual and spiritual interpretative criteria, and can, therefore, be broadly determined by academic research and theological Islamic scholarship. 83. The experts, Professor Gleave and Dr Wilkinson, have provided me with a deeper understanding of the structure, terminology and fundamental concepts, mores and tropes of Islam and the perspectives particular to a Muslim audience when considering Muslim theology and ideology. Their expert evidence is of assistance, in particular, as to the meaning of Arabic words, the interpretation to be given to various hadiths, what particular historical Islamic figures would be seen to stand for by a Muslim audience, and the range of meanings which the word jihad may bear in particular contexts. 20