Exploring Islam through a 21st Century Lens: Roles, Rights, and Sharia Law, May 4, 2016

To many Westerners, Islam’s roles, rights, and rituals are often unfamiliar and mysterious, thus creating a chasm – described by some as a “clash” – of civilizations. What are the precepts and principles of Islam and do they sometimes appear incongruous with Western societies? How are women viewed under sharia law?

Join us as Dr. Shibley Telhami and Dr. Firoozeh Kashani-Sabet discuss why understanding Muslim societies might also save the world from divisiveness and even destruction.

Series description:
It all began with an angry young man in Tunisia. Following Mohamed Bouazizi’s self-immolation, a revolt ensued and the period in history known as the “Arab Spring” was born. Inspired by this single act of desperation, the people of the Middle East and North Africa hoped to address the battles of the disenfranchised and marginalized, with the expectation that the populations sharing the bonds of ethnicity and religion would be unified. Although technology and social media created a conduit for the Arab Spring’s positive message, it also enabled terrorists and jihadi organizations, such as ISIS, to materialize and strengthen. Dreams of democracy throughout the Muslim world faded with each news report of another kidnapping, another assassination, another town forcibly placed under the fundamentalist interpretation of Sharia law.

Join us as our expert speakers consider the consequences of the Arab Spring.