WHAT UNITES AND WHAT DIVIDES US? TOUGH QUESTIONS FOR ISLAM AND THE WEST
Redakce, 01.06.2007
Radio Free Europe and Civic Institute
With support of
Konrad Adenauer Stiftung and American Center
invite you to a conference
WHAT UNITES AND WHAT DIVIDES US? TOUGH QUESTIONS FOR ISLAM AND THE WEST.
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
RFE/RL building, Vinohradska 1, Prague 1
The relationship between the Islamic world and the West is one of the most pressing issues confronting the modern world. While neither the West nor the countries where Muslim dominate are homogenous in culture, politics or even religious thought, there are values, history and interests that unite these worlds, but that also divide them. As the West grapples with terrorism in the name of Islam, and how to accept, assimilate or accommodate communities of Muslims within its borders, Islamic thinkers fighting their own battles within. Does Islam support or condemn random attacks on civilians, the subjugation of women, and even suicidal murder?
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and the Civic Institute, in cooperation with the Konrad Adenaeur Stiftung and the American Cultural Center, will convene a group of Muslim and Western thinkers to discuss these difficult questions.
RSVP by October 28 via e-mail to pr-response@rferl.org, or by telephone to Jana Kucerova (+420) 221-122-756 or by fax (+420) 221-123-010.
Alexandr Vondra, Deputy Prime Minister for European Affairs
Jeffrey Gedmin, RFE/RL President
Roman Joch, Civic Institute Director
Joyce Davis, RFE/RL
Mustafa Akyol, Bosphorus University, Turkey
Alexander Ritzmann, European Foundation for Democracy
Michael Rubin, American Enterprise Institute, Middle East Quarterly
Zdenek Müller, specialist in Islamic and Arab Studies
Akbar Ayazi, Radio Free Afghanistan
Muhamed Jusić, Bosnian journalist
Daniel Raus, Czech Radio 6
Vlado Azinović, RFE/RL Balkan Service
Abubakar Siddique, Radio Free Afghanistan
9:00 a.m.
OPENING REMARKS:
Deputy Prime Minister for European Affairs
Alexandr Vondra
RFE/RL President
Jeffrey Gedmin
U.S Ambassador to the Czech Republic
Richard Graber (tbd)
President of Civic Institute
Roman Joch
9:15 a.m. PRESENTATION:
WHO SPEAKS FOR ISLAM?
PowerPoint presentation on the confusing voices of Islam...
9:20 a.m. FIRST PANEL: THE VIEW FROM THE WEST
ARE MUSLIM VALUES COMPATIBLE WITH THOSE OF THE WEST?
Moderated by
Jeffrey Gedmin, RFE/RL President (tbd)
Alexander Ritzmann, European Foundation for Democracy
Zdenek Müller, specialist in Islamic and Arab Studies
Michael Rubin, American Enterprise Institute
10:45-11:00 a.m. Coffee Break
11:00 a.m. SECOND PANEL: THE VIEW FROM ISLAM
ARE MUSLIM VALUES COMPATIBLE WITH THOSE OF THE WEST
?
Moderated by
Akbar Ayazi, Director, Radio Free Afghanistan
Muhammad Jusić, Bosnian journalist reporting on Islamic affairs
Mustafa Akyol, Turkish journalist, specializes in reports on religious-secular divide
Abubakar Siddiqui, Aghan Service, Islam Study Group, and specialist in Islamic
movements in Pakistan and Afghanistan
12:30-2:00 p.m. LUNCH
2:00 p.m. THIRD PANEL:
WHAT UNITES US AND WHAT DIVIDES US
Moderated by
Joyce Davis, RFE/RL Associate Director of Broadcasting
Mustafa Aykol, Muhammad Jusic, Michael Rubin, Alexander Ritzmann, Zdenek Mueller, Akbar Ayazi, Abubakar Siddiqui
Why do many Muslims reject being called “moderate?”
●
What about Sharia law’s criminal punishments and human rights? Are they compatible?
●
Why isn’t there more of an outcry among Muslims over death threats toward those who change their religion or criticize Islam?
●
Are European societies failing the test in managing Muslim communities in their midst?
●
Is there a conflict between Western ideals of free speech, and religious freedom, and overt expressions of Muslim religious identity?
●
● Why are even educated moderate Muslims facing problems in travel and immigration?
3:15-3:30 p.m. Coffee Break
3:30 p.m. FINAL PANEL: Covering Islam: , RFE/RL’s Projects to Stimulate Dialogue
Presentation:
Excerpts from RFE/RL programming in Iraq, Afghanistan, Iran and Bosnia
Moderated by
Joyce Davis RFE/RL Associate Director of Broadcasting
Vlado Azinovic, RFE/RL SSALS service
Moayed al-Haidari, RFI Baghdad bureau chief
Charles Recknagel, Central News
Kathleen Rodolfo, RFE/RL Regional Analyst, Iraq
4:45 p.m. CLOSING REMARKS:
Jeffrey Gedmin, RFE/RL President
Roman Joch, Director, Civic Institute
Contacts:
Jana Kučerová, RFE/EL: KucerovaJ@rferl.org, (+420) 221-122-756 or by fax (+420) 221-123-010.
Matyáš Zrno, Civic Institute: zrno@obcinst.cz (+420) 224 923 563
www.rferl.org www.obcinst.cz www.kas.de/prag
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