The Challenge of Moderation in Islam: Egypt's Religious Institution vs. Extremism

H.E. Dr. Ali Gomaa was appointed Grand Mufti of Egypt in 2003 by President Hosni Mubarak, making him a senior interpreter and administrator of Islamic law. He is active in global interfaith efforts, including the Common Word initiative launched by senior Islamic leaders in 2007, arguing that dialogue can dissolve barriers

H.E. Dr. Gomaa has been a regular critic of interpretations of Islam that condone violence, and has written extensively on spirituality, prevention of violence, human rights, women's equality and peacemaking. In the context of President Obama’s speech in Cairo, which called for greater interaction to forge new relations between the Islamic world and the West, H.E. Dr. Gomaa will discuss competing moderate and extremist interpretations of Islam and take questions from the audience.

This event is co-sponsored by the Middle East Studies program at Johns Hopkins University’s School of Advanced International Studies and the Religion and Peacemaking program at the U.S. Institute of Peace.