Religion and Peacebuilding in an Era of Islamophobia:

Prospects and Challenges

Monday, October 15, 2018, 6:30 - 8:30 pm

Rita Anne Rollins Building, Room 252

Emory University

Peacebuilding initiatives from Muslim communities and Muslim-majority countries have sought to mitigate conflict and misunderstanding rooted in prejudice and lack of interfaith and intercultural awareness. This endeavor, however, is dynamically affected by both local and global politics as well as the current rise of Islamophobia, which poses a threat to human rights, peace and security.

In this forum, Dr. Siti Ruhaini Dzuhayatin, Indonesian President's Special Envoy for International Religious Affairs, will share lessons and challenges from Indonesian public diplomacy and peace initiatives while navigating sensitive geopolitical terrain. Dr. Dzuhayatin has decades of experience in religion and peacebuilding, notably as a Chairperson of the Independent Permanent Human Rights Commission of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) (2012-2014) and a Commissioner of the OIC Commission for Human Rights. Dr. Houda Abadi (The Carter Center) will contribute perspectives from leading major projects to counter Islamophobia and violent extremism in the US, Europe, and MENA regions.  The discussion will browse creative ideas, prospective solutions, and remaining hurdles to push forward such efforts at international and communal levels.

Sarah Muwahidah, PhD Candidate at Emory University whose works is on religion and peacebuilding will serve as a respondent. The forum will be moderated by Dr. James B. Hoesterey, Associate Professor of Islamic Studies at Emory University.

RSVP at this link by Oct 5 to secure your seat and dinner option.