Is there such a thing as human rights in Islam?

Dr. Nazir Khaja, assistant professor, UCLA School of Medicine, is a well-known American Muslim leader and interfaith and peace activist. He has written and produced several documentaries on challenges facing Muslims in America. Besides numerous articles for newspapers and magazines, Dr. Khaja also writes and translates poetry.

What is Sharia Law and why does it seem to propagate violent punishments?

Dr. Mehnaz Mona-Afridi is a professor of Religious Studies, published scholar, and interfaith activist. Born in Pakistan, raised in Europe and educated in the U.S., Prof. Afridi brings a global perspective to exploring the images of Islam in the modern world. She is a much published scholar and a highly regarded interfaith activist.

Is a modern democratic Islamic state an oxymoron?

Dr. Mehran Kamrava is the Professor of Political Science at California State University, Northridge. His specialties include political development, comparative politics, and Middle Eastern Studies. Most recently he has published The New Voices of Islam: Rethinking Politics and Modernity (University of California Press and I.B. Tauris).

The event will feature poetry by Faiz Ahmad Faiz, translated and read by Dr. N. Khaja.

The Progressive Muslim Union welcomes everyone who is interested or just curious to come together in a spirit of affection, respect, and engagement. God willing, may it be an occasion that we as people, Muslims and non-Muslims alike, come closer to one another, and closer to God. Amin.

Sponsored by the Progressive Muslim Union. For more information, call
323-842-2869, email: pmu-la@comcast.net or visit www.pmuna.org.