Forging alliances between religious people for nonviolence and justice: reports from the field in Afghanistan, Egypt, Syria, and Israel and Palestine
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Dr. Gopin will discuss recent experiences that he and his Center have engaged in to forge alliances for peace among over 100 Afghan imams and twenty international Islamic scholars, a graduate class to Egypt that engaged hopeful Muslims and Christians in their struggle for peace and justice, as well as ongoing support in Israel and Palestine that supports Muslim, Christian and Jewish activists who work closely for peace and justice. The spiritual bonds of these alliances will be explored and the lessons globally will be discussed.
Marc Gopin is the James H. Laue Professor of Religion, Diplomacy and Conflict Resolution, and the Director of the Center on Religion, Diplomacy and Conflict Resolution at George Mason University’s School for Conflict Analysis and Resolution.
Gopin has lectured on conflict resolution in Switzerland, Ireland, India, Italy, and Israel, as well as at Harvard, Yale, Columbia, Princeton, and numerous other academic institutions. Gopin has trained thousands of people worldwide in peacemaking strategies for complex conflicts in which religion and culture play a role. He has engaged in back channel diplomacy with religious, political and military figures on both sides of conflicts, especially in the Arab/Israeli conflict. He has appeared on numerous media outlets, including CNN, CNN International, Court TV, The Jim Lehrer News Hour, Israel Radio, National Public Radio, The Connection, Voice of America, and the national public radios of Sweden, Ireland, and Northern Ireland.
Gopin’s research is found in numerous book chapters and journal articles, and he is the author of Between Eden and Armageddon: The Future of World Religions, Violence and Peacemaking (Oxford University Press, 2000); Holy War, Holy Peace: How Religion Can Bring Peace to the Middle East (Oxford University Press, 2002), a study on what was missing from the Oslo Process, and what will be necessary culturally for a successful Arab/Israeli peace process; Healing the Heart of Conflict (Rodale Press, 2004); and To Make the Earth Whole: The Art of Citizen Diplomacy in an Age of Religious Militancy (Rowman & Littlefield, 2009).
DATE & TIME:
TUESDAY
MAY 15th, 2012
12:00 – 1:30 p.m.
Where:
Rumi Center
1150 17th St. N.W.Suite, 406
Washington, DC
The Rumi Forum is located in Washington, D.C., on the corners of 17th and M Streets, N.W., directly across from the National Geographic Society. The Rumi Forum is located on the 4th floor, suite number is 408.
By METRO
The closest Metrorail stations to 1150 17th Street are Farragut North (L Street Exit) on the red line and Farragut West on the blue and orange lines. The Rumi Forum is approximately two blocks from both locations. For detailed directions, fares, and timetables from your location, visit Metro's Ride Guide.