Press Release
Al-USTADH MAHMOUD MOHAMED TAHA
“Islamic Transformation: Celebrating Martyrdom for Freedom”
THE 21ST COMMEMORATION
United States Institute of Peace
Georgetown University
January 20-21, 2006
In Khartoum, Sudan, on the 18th 0f January 1985, the government of General Numeiri executed the 76 year-old pacifist Islamic reformer Al-Ustadh Mahmoud Mohamed Taha, confiscated his mud house, burned his books, banned his organization- the Republicans- and put hundreds of his followers in jails. Taha was accused of a thought crime; he was virtually the first person in modern times to be convicted of apostasy, by a court that he treated with contempt and refused to recognize.
His main reform ideas, among other things, include the major concept of “absolute individual freedom,” enshrined in the Quran. Accordingly, Islam provided for equality of men and women before God and before the law. It provided for equity between all people regardless of ethnicity or religious background. It also provided for necessity of abrogating Jihad, if Islam to resume it influence as a major force in human history. To commemorate Al-Ustadh’s remarkable life, United States Institute of Peace has kindly sponsored a panel presentation. Others functions will be held at Georgetown University Conference Center as detailed below.
United States Institute of Peace
Friday, January 20th, 2006
2:00-4:00 PM
“Islamic Reform: Life and Work of Al-Udadh Mahmoud Mohamed Taha”
Dr. Elnour Hamad, University of Mansfield, Mansfield, Pennsylvania
Dr. Earnest Johnson, Shoreline Community College, Seattle, Washington
Dr. Steve Howard, Ohio University, Ohio University, Athens, Ohio
Georgetown University
Conference Center
3800 Reservoir Road, NW
Washington, District Of Columbia 20057 USA
Phone: 1-202-687-3200
http://marriott.com/property/propertypage/wasgu?WT_Ref=mi_left Saturday, January 21ST, 2006
2:00-6:00 PM
“Islamic Transformation for Democracy, Peace, and Development”
“Secularism from an Islamic Perspective” Dr. Abduallahi An-Na’im, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia.
“The Sudanese Republican Thought: Islamic Transformation for Peace and Development in a post 9/11 World” Dr. Haydar Badawi Sadig, Medaille College, New York.
“Sudanese Republican Thought and Movement: An African Phenomenon” Dr. Steve Howard, Ohio University, Athens, Ohio.