Keynote Address: “Islam and Muslims in an age of ISIS and Islamophobia”

Fifteen years after the horrific attacks of 9/11, the American Muslim community and the American democratic experiment both find themselves in a perilous state. Few American communities are viewed with more hostility, negativity and suspicion. On one hand, the American Muslim community has consistently condemned vile attacks of groups like ISIS. On the other hand, it has to perpetually defend itself against Islamophobia. Now some of the leading presidential candidates seriously talk about increasing the surveillance of the Muslim communities, turning away Muslim refugees, and shutting down mosques. Where do we go from here? How do we rebuild the bonds of the “Beloved Community” that is the great hope of the American democratic experiment in this age of fear and fear-mongering?

Sponsors: UB Office of International Education, UB Muslim Student Association, UB Asian Studies Program, UB Intercultural & Diversity Center, Transcending Borders UB, Anonymous Donors (8)