Reza Aslan, Theologist, to Speak At Third Palestine-Israel Forum
Over the course of the last few months, seniors Zoha Qamar and Saisha Talwar have organized three events for the Exeter community for their combined senior project. With the help of their project adviser, history instructor Michael Golay, the girls put on a panel discussion about the Israel-Palestine conflict, as well as a panel discussion about gender roles in Islam and the role of the modern Muslim women. However, their efforts will come to a head on May 26, when the finale of their senior project will take place. Religious scholar and best-selling author Reza Aslan will come to campus to give a lecture titled “Youth Revolt: The Future of the Middle East.”
“He will be speaking on the role of the Middle East’s youth in shaping the future, particularly after so many political and social revolutions in the region. It’s a great way to wrap up our senior project forum series by looking ahead, while still keeping focused on the personal voices and humanity of the region.”
This lecture serves as the finale to an entire term of work from Qamar and Talwar. The duo has worked tirelessly to tackle problems and put on two successful events for the student body. The first event of their project took place in late April and detailed the events surrounding the Israel-Palestine conflict. The event consisted of a panel discussion between Exeter community members Benj Cohen and Andy Hertig, and special guest Michael Cohen. Cohen works as a contributing writer for the Boston Globe, and is a well-known figure in the context of the conflict.
The first event garnered some attention on campus when one of the audience members stood up during the panel and began to pontificate on the dangers of allowing Palestine to become a state, and the hypocrisy of American political officials. Qamar and Talwar, however, were not dismayed, and they considered the event a resounding success.
The second installment in their project happened last Friday and consisted of another panel discussion. This time, however, the panel discussed issues of gender roles in Islam and societal pressures on women in Muslim countries. Special guest Hindi Makki appeared on the panel alongside Qamar herself as well as upper Tan Nazer, a resident of Saudi Arabia. The second panel featured more audience participation, with the panelists fielding questions from numerous audience members. Qamar and Talwar were again happy with the turnout and the outcome of their second panel.
The final and perhaps most important installment of their project will take place this coming Thursday evening at 8 p.m. in the Assembly Hall, when renowned theologist and religious speaker Reza Aslan will address the student body. Aslan will speak about the changes that are occurring in the Middle East with the arrival of younger generations, and will “reveal the true nature of these societal changes,” according to Aslan’s press release.
In addition to his remarks in the Assembly Hall, Aslan will also be attending classes, conducting a book signing and Q&A sessions for the student body.
Qamar is excited for Aslan’s arrival on campus and is optimistic about the event.
“I am most excited for the content of Aslan’s speech,” Qamar said. “He will be speaking on the role of the Middle East’s youth in shaping the future, particularly after so many political and social revolutions in the region. It’s a great way to wrap up our senior project forum series by looking ahead, while still keeping focused on the personal voices and humanity of the region.”
Qamar hopes that the Exeter community will recognize the gravity of Aslan’s remarks, and receive him with the respect that he merits.
“Reza Aslan is a voice with so much to offer to the conversations that span within and beyond the borders of the Middle East,” Qamar said. “I hope that even those who aren’t so familiar with his work join us next Thursday evening because his thoughtful insights are indeed large influences in how religion and politics factor into today’s Western-Middle Eastern relations.”
Qamar was also hopeful that Aslan’s remarks will help to fuel dialogue on campus surrounding Middle Eastern issues.
“I hope [the event] also more generally serves as a perspective into how today’s youth remain socially active all around the globe today,” Qamar said.
Qamar and Talwar have endeavoured to keep a theme of youth in their events, so that Exeter students can identify more with the issues being discussed.
“We’re glad to highlight this demographic under a more concrete lens through this last event,” Qamar said.
As adviser to the project, Golay was pleased with the presence of a consistent theme, as he feels it will help students to better understand the issues that they are presented with.
“These are issues that are important to the intellectual life of the school...The issues are relevant; these are sort of “off-line” programs run by students that then give other students the chance to become better informed on issues they are going to be dealing with as adults in a few years.”
Golay was also quick to praise Qamar and Talwar’s work on their project and commended their consistent efforts throughout the term.
“I really want to give a shout out to Saisha and Zoha,” Golay said. “It’s not easy to put together programs of this type on short notice around here.”