Expert on Islamic, U.S. law offers unique perspective on two cultures in University Lecture

Expert on Islamic, U.S. law offers unique perspective on two cultures in University LectureNovember 06, 2006Patrick Farrellpmfarrel@syr.edu

Considered by many to be one of the most important and influential Islamic thinkers in the modern age, Khaled Abou El Fadl is a world-renowned Islamic jurist and scholar. On Tuesday, Nov. 14, Abou El Fadl comes to Syracuse to share his expertise on issues affecting Islamic and American law, offering a unique and seasoned perspective on the current state of Islam and the West. His presentation, “Can We Be Beautiful in an Ugly World? The Great Theft and the Muslim Imperative,” begins at 7:30 p.m. in Hendricks Chapel. The lecture is free and open to the public; reduced-rate parking will be available in the Irving Avenue Garage.

Abou El Fadl is a professor of law at UCLA, where he teaches Islamic law, immigration, human rights and international and national security law. A strong proponent of human rights, he serves on the board of directors of Human Rights Watch. Abou El Fadl is a staunch advocate and defender of women’s rights and focuses much of his written attention on issues related to women. As the most critical and powerful voice against puritan and Wahhabi Islam today, he regularly appears on national and international television and radio, including CNN, NBC, PBS, NPR and Voice of America. His most recent work focuses on issues of authority, terrorism, tolerance, Islam and Islamic law.

The University Lectures is a cross-disciplinary lecture series that brings to the University individuals of exceptional accomplishment in the areas of architecture and design; the humanities and the sciences; and public policy, management and communications. The series is supported by the University’s trustees, alumni and friends. The next University Lectures event will feature Norman J. Ornstein, political analyst and resident scholar at the American Enterprise Institute for Public Policy Research. Ornstein’s lecture, “Governing in an Era of Tribal Politics: The Twilight of the Bush Administration and the Election Ahead,” takes place Tuesday, March 6, 2007, at 7:30 p.m. in Hendricks Chapel. For more information, visit http://provost.syr.edu/lectures/current.asp.