A lecture by Ambassador Akbar Ahmed
Ibn Khaldun Chair of Islamic Studies in the School of International Service at American University in Washington, D.C.
at 6pm – 8pm, Wednesday, 9th July, British Council Berlin.
The British Council and Heinrich Böll Foundation are delighted to invite you to the lecture entitled “Clash or Dialogue of Civilizations? Relations between the West and the Muslim World After 9/11″.
As multiculturalism in European societies increases, so too does religious diversity. The growing presence and visibility of which can often be the source of controversial socio-political tension and debate. Islam and Muslim populations are particularly frequently at the centre of these debates which commonly become focused on the question of the compatibility of Islam and ‘European’ or ‘western’ values.
Ambassador Akbar Ahmed is the author of an award-winning quartet of books focusing on the relationship between Islam and the West, (Journey into Islam, Journey into America, The Thistle and the Drone, and the forthcoming Journey into Europe) bringing out the nuance of this encounter after 9/11 and arguing for a dialogue between the two. The theme of fostering peaceful coexistence and mutual understanding between different communities in the cities we live in will be addressed and we would be delighted to welcome you to the discussion on what constitutes an ideal and discrimination-free culture in European society.
It will be followed by a conversation with Dr. Riem Spielhaus (Research Fellow, Erlangen Centre for Islam and Law in Europe, EZIRE, University of Nürnberg-Erlangen) about some of the historical aspects of the relationship between Europe and the Muslim world, as well as contemporary challenges posed by increased immigration from the Muslim world, more specifically in the context of Germany.
If you have any questions, please contact Julia.Rawlins@britishcouncil.de.
Journey into Europe 