March 25, 2010: Islam and Politics: Toward a Humanistic Approach

Barnes and Nobel photo based on a Dr. Emad Shahin publication.

Scholar-Writer Emad Shahin - Courtesy of Notre Dame peace studies

This notice here not only intended for the few who may see and be able to attend this lecture - yet also for other comments here from people of all ages and backgrounds within Islam; as well as for comments and discussions with those of other persuasions. I am posting this intending that those of us with almost no awareness of these matters will gain insights needed in the growing international, inter-cultural and intra-religious dialogues of our time. (Including the small discussions beyond academia.)

A few basic discussion questions follow notice:

Islam and Politics: Toward a Humanistic Approach
Free and Open to the Public
Date: March 25, 2010
Time and location:
4:15 p.m., Hesburgh Center Auditorium, University of Notre Dame
Henry R. Luce Inaugural Lecture

Featuring:

Dr. Emad Shahin
Henry R. Luce Associate Professor of Religion, Conflict, and Peacebuilding

...In his Henry R. Luce Inaugural lecture, Associate Professor, Dr. Emad Shahin calls for shifting the focus back to the society and the individual. He argues for reclaiming Islam’s humanistic and universal values that provide common ground with the rest of humanity and reaffirm the dignity, freedom, and independent reasoning of the individual.

Dr. Shahin is a comparativist who examines the foundation for democracy and political reform within Islamic law, philosophy, and political practices. He is the editor-in-chief of The Oxford Encyclopedia of Islam and Politics (Oxford University Press, forthcoming in 2011), and he is co-editing The Oxford Handbook of Islam and Politics (Oxford University Press, forthcoming in 2011) with John L. Esposito of Georgetown University.

Lecture Respondent
James Piscatori
Deputy Director of the Centre for Arab and Islamic Studies,
The Australian National University

Journalists and others:
Contact: Kathy Smarrella, (574) 631-9370, ksmarrel@nd.edu

Contact this Award-Winning Teacher and Scholar and learn more about his writings and work:

Kroc Peace Programs: here

Harvard visiting faculty: here

Find descripitions of Dr. Emad Shahin's book publications at Barnes and Nobel:
here

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Questions from blogger at One Heart For Peace:

1) How from this context and from possible research might you discover or already understand the role of a "comparativist"? (those from any background or age)

2) How might a comparativist help the curious casual visitor here, the interested beginner and the advanced novice to discuss a humanistic approach for democracy and political reform within Islamic law, philosophy, and political practice? (anyone)

3) A question for scholars, historians and other "experts" who may see this, both within and without Islam: in which ways might you agree or disagree with Lecturer and Scholar-writer, Emad Shahin from what little you may find regarding his position?

4) In your understanding, how might there be some differences in application or rejection of all/parts of Dr. Emad Shahin's approach? (Apply question as surmised from this limited post - or what you know of his writings; in relationship to various continents, regions and nations.)

Please comment below to any question suggested here; or combination of questions; or make any observation you wish related to this topic.