Between War & Understanding: the Muslim Presence in America

This event will be a discussion about the issues surrounding and significance of the presence of Islam and Muslims in America; not from sensationalist voices of extremism but from the mouths of eloquent, internationally respected Muslim scholars and intellectuals. Whether it’s the “war on terror” or civil liberties, Islam and Muslims have become a focal point in many of the most important discussions and debates of America’s current public discourse. The speakers will be addressing the experiences, challenges, difficulties, ironies, and opportunities that face Muslims and all of America with the increasingly relevant presence of Islam in this country. SPEAKERS: -Hamza Yusuf Hanson, the founder of the Zaytuna Institute, and arguably America’s most celebrated Muslim scholar and intellectual, will give the conference’s keynote address. In the aftermath of September 11th, his appearances in the White House, the Vatican, Britain’s House of Lords, and numerous television, newspaper, and radio features have propelled him into the international spotlight as one of the leading and most respected voices of American Muslims. Other featured speakers will include: - Dr. Umar Faruq Abd-Allah- Nawawi Foundation, Chicago, IL - Imam Siraj Wah'haj- Masjid Al-Taqwa, Brooklyn, NY - Dr. Ingrid Mattson- Hartford Seminary & Islamic Society of North America - Shaykh Yusuf Ziya Kavakci- Islamic Association of North Texas - Shaykh Salek bin Siddina- Mauritania, West Africa - Dr. Hatem Bazian- U.C. Berkeley & Al-Qalam Institute