Building bridges to navigate challenging times for Islam and the West

Leading Australian Muslim interfaith activist, author and academic, Mehmet Ozalp, will present the public lecture ‘Islam-West Relations: Building Bridges through Challenging Times’ at Southern Cross University’s Lismore campus on Thursday April 23.

The lecture is presented by the University’s School of Arts and Social Sciences and the Lismore peace group Remembering and Healing.

Associate Professor Mehmet Ozalp is the director of the Centre for Islamic Studies and Civilisation at Charles Sturt University. Under his leadership the centre has pioneered undergraduate and postgraduate Islamic studies programs. He was a member of the Harmony Reference Group established by the NSW Premier Bob Carr in 2003.

“Building bridges of dialogue and goodwill is a necessary activity for multi-faith societies. Not a day passes when local and international events threaten the delicate harmony and fragile goodwill in Australia and around the world,” Professor Ozalp said.

“As someone involved in building bridges for more than 15 years, I would argue harmony building and dialogue construction is not a simple endeavour. There are enduring and formidable challenges to overcome for architects, workers and supporters of dialogue and goodwill.

“Fortunately, there is adequate experience in Australia to help overcome these challenges. The process promises to make us richer as individuals and as a society.”

Professor Ozalp was awarded the Australian Muslim Role Model of the Year in 2012.

He is the author of three books: 101 Questions You Asked About Islam, Islam in the Modern World and Islam between Tradition and Modernity: An Australian Perspective.

EVENT
Public lecture ‘Islam-West Relations: Building Bridges through Challenging Times’ by Associate Professor Mehmet Ozalp, Thursday April 23, 12pm - 1pm, Y211, Y Block, Lismore campus (videoconference to SCU Gold Coast room B540).

Associate Professor Mehmet Ozalp is also appearing at these events: