In recent months we have watched the “Islamic State”, (ISIS) sweep through Syria and Iraq, terrifying much of the population and enraging people everywhere by beheading several journalists while vowing to bring their war to North America. Reportedly, many Canadian citizens have joined the ISIS forces in fighting a war that arguably is financed mainly by vast revenues from oil that is exported to the industrialized world.
The speaker will explore where ISIS fits into the Islamic groups in the Arab World. He will explain where ISIS originated from, and what they stand for. He will help us look into the future for some clues about what we can expect in the months and years ahead and help us assess whether ISIS is the new reality we all must face, or a passing phenomenon that can be overcome by western firepower.
Speaker: Imam and Professor Syed Soharwardy
Prof. Soharwardy was born to a highly respected religious family in Karachi, Pakistan. His father was a famous Islamic scholar and Imam in Karachi. Prof. Soharwardy is one of the direct descendants of the prophet, Muhammad and his ancestors migrated from Syria to Iran, later to Kashmir, India and then to Pakistan.
He received his early Islamic education from his father and also earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Islamic studies from the University of Karachi. Prof. Soharwardy also holds a Bachelor of Engineering from the University of Engineering and Technology, Karachi, and a Master of Science in Management from the New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, N.J. as well as a Master of Engineering in project management from University of Calgary.
Prof. Soharwardy is the founder of Muslims Against Terrorism (MAT) and is also the founder of The Islamic Supreme Council of Canada (ISCC). He has authored several papers on Islamic issues and the Western world. He is the spiritual leader of Jama’at Ahle Sunnat Canada, and the World Sufi Mission Canada.
Moderator: Knud Petersen
Date: Thursday, November 27, 2014
Time: 7:00 – 9:00 pm
Location: Room PE250, 1st Choice Savings Centre, University of Lethbridge
Free event, free parking, everyone welcome