Jennifer Bryson, Director

What enables Muslims and non-Muslims to thrive together in the pluralism of modern societies?
What is the relationship of Islam to human flourishing in local and global society?
What is the road ahead, both its hurdles and its opportunities, for Muslim engagement in civil society?
What are the roles of Western Muslims, spiritually and intellectually, for the entire Muslim World?

The Islam and Civil Society Seminar is a week-long program for young adults in Islam-related fields of study and work. In a small seminar setting alongside scholars and religious leaders (Muslim and non-Muslim), participants will explore the relationship of Islam to civil society by engaging together in study, reflection, discussion, and pragmatic solution-seeking. The seminar will consider history and the modern world, with a focus on modern challenges and opportunities for Islam and civil society.

Topics will include religious liberty (its nature, Muslim perspectives, and constitutional protections), theological issues (e.g. ijtihad, fatwa authority), violent extremism, conflict alleviation, Muslims in pluralistic societies, Islamophobia, and emerging trends. Participants will be encouraged to publish post-seminar papers; the Witherspoon Institute will assist in identifying potential publication outlets.

Participation in the seminar will include preparatory reading (provided in June); attending lectures, discussions, a film, a play; and participating in a small-group project and presentation.

Faculty
Zainab Al-Suwaij, (Founder and Executive Director, American Islamic Congress)
Imam Mohamad Bashar Arafat (President of the Islamic Affairs Council of Maryland; founder and President of Civilizations Exchange and Cooperation Foundation)
David Belt, Professor (National Defense Intelligence College)
Maneeza Hossein, (Senior Fellow, Hudson Institute)
Hassan Mneimneh, (Visiting Fellow, Hudson Institute)
Rabbi Brett Oxman, (Colonel, U.S. Air Force)