Al-USTADH MAHMOUD MOHAMED TAHA“Islamic Transformation: Celebrating Martyrdom for Freedom”THE 21ST COMMEMORATION[/U]
United States Institute of Peace
American UniversityJanuary 20-21, 2006In 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. American University has graciously sponsored another panel and launching the Al-Ustadh Center to keep his rich legacy alive in a world that demands his reform insights.
United States Institute of Peace
Friday, January 20th, 2006
2:00-4:00 PM (Hall and room number to be announced)
“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
American University
(Saturday, January 21ST, 2006
2:00-4:00 PM (Hall and room number to be announced)
“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.
LAUNCH OF MAHMOUD MOHAMED TAHA CENTER FOR ISLAMIC TRANSFORMATOIN
4:00 PM (Hall, and room number to be announced)
The purpose for which Al-Ustadh Center is formed is to promote global understanding and peace through interfaith and cross-cultural exchange; through on-site programs, for adults and youths, providing for free exchanges of ideas on research, educational, and informational activities; through the use of electronic and other communications and telecommunications media, to foster virtual exchanges of reform and transformation ideas and experiences; to promote multicultural tolerance with the altruistic goal of promoting global awareness, understanding, and peace and development; to pave the way for attainment of basic human rights, heath, and education for sustainable development for all peoples; and through various necessary and proper ventures to secure adequate funding for the fulfillment of these purposes. The purposes for which the Center is organized are exclusively educational, scholarly, scientific, and other non-profit endeavors for the betterment human life in the pursuit justice, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
[
B]NOTEAttendance at American University is open to all. Attendance at the U.S. Institute of Peace is by reservation or invitation.
Those who would like to attend are strongly advised to e-mail their names to Dr. Baqir Mukhtar ASAP
([email protected]).
For any other enquires please contact Mr. Mukhtar M. Mohamed Taha at (703-980-2301).