Lectures, Consultations, and Seminars

Islam and Civil Society Seminar

The Islam and Civil Society Seminar is a week-long program for university students and professionals in Islam-related fields of study and work. In a small seminar setting, led by scholars, religious leaders, and experienced policy makers, participants will explore the intersection of Islam and religious freedom. This will include Muslim perspectives on faith and religious freedom, U.S. government policies on religious freedom at home and abroad, modern social-science research about the relationship of religious freedom to societal and individual well-being, and perspectives on religious freedom in philosophy and among other faiths. The seminar will address religious freedom issues facing Muslim minorities, Muslim dissenters in Muslim-majority areas, and non-Muslims living in areas with Muslim populations. Also we will consider proselytization, conversion, apostasy, and blasphemy. Participation in the seminar will include completing preparatory reading, attending lectures, and participating in discussions.

Seminar Director:
Jennifer Bryson, Director, Islam and Civil Society Project, The Witherspoon Institute

Past Seminar Leaders:
Thomas Farr, Georgetown University School of Foreign Service
Abdullah Saeed, University of Melbourne
Asma Uddin, The Becket Fund for Religious Liberty

Past Guest Speakers:
Abdullah bin Hamid Ali, Zaytuna Institute
Robert P. George, Princeton University
Paul Marshall, Hudson Institute
Louay Safi, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis

For more information about the seminar, please visit the seminar website.