Beyond Geert Wilders: Turning Polarisation into Constructive Conflict

Studium Generale | Tans Lecture

10 November 2015 20:00

Europe, like much of the world, is raging with dogma. When it comes to religion and culture, fundamentalists of all varieties drown out the voice of reason.
It is time for a real conversation about how to have a real conversation – one that requires us to evolve without sacrificing free speech.

In this 2015 Tans Lecture, Prof. Manji, author on reform in Islam and founder of the Moral Courage Project at New York University, will make clear why disagreement is essential to intellectual diversity and human dignity.

The question is how to disagree in ways that dignify each other and advance diversity.
Her fresh perspective may offend fundamentalists in both the religious and the atheist arena, but it will enlighten those who aspire to becoming gutsy global citizens.

About the lecturer

Irshad Manji is a Canadian author, educator at New York University and advocate of a ‘reformist’ interpretation of Islam. She is the founder and director of the Moral Courage Project based at both New York University and the University of Southern California. This project equips students to make value-driven decisions for the sake of their integrity—both professional and personal. In April 2013, the project's YouTube channel, Moral Courage TV, was launched by Manji and professor/activist Cornel West. West spoke of Manji's work as a ‘powerful force for good’. Manji is also the founder and president of Project Ijtihad, a charitable organisation that has introduced a 24/7 service to advise people, especially young Muslims, who are struggling with faith. Manji is a well-known critic of traditional mainstream Islam and was described by The New York Times as "Osama bin Laden's worst nightmare". Her book The Trouble with Islam Today: A Muslim's Call for Reform in Her Faith has been published in more than 30 languages, including Arabic, Persian, Urdu, Malay and Indonesian. In 2011, she published Allah, Liberty and Love: The Courage to Reconcile Faith and Freedom.

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Quotes:

Powerful force for good – Cornel West about Manji’s work

I have seen Irshad engage with the brightest of our business students. She is principled yet compassionate, brave yet understanding. Today’s MBAs have much to learn from how she practices timeless values in an era of instant gratification - Prof. Bruce Buchanan, Chair of Ethics, New York University Stern School of Business

Irshad Manji is the master of moral courage - Lesley Stahl, CBS News' 60 Minutes

An audacious, thoughtful call for people of all religions to move beyond hate, fear and intolerance. One of the Top Ten Books You Must Read Now - O, The Oprah Magazine about Allah, Liberty and Love

Beyond Geert Wilders: Turning Polarisation into Constructive Conflict

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