October 24, 2012

“Islamophobia” will be the topic of a presentation by Salam Al-Maryati, MPAC President, on Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2012 from 7 - 8:30 p.m., at the Thousand Oaks Library (1401 E. Janss Road, Thousand Oaks).

“Islamophobia” can be defined as irrational fear of Muslims that leads to bigotry against their religion or those to be perceived as Muslims (e.g. Sikhs).  This talk will explore some of the root causes of this phenomenon in the United States and consider how this can be understood in a nation whose very existence is based upon the First Amendment’s Freedoms of Speech and Religion.

Al-Maryati ‘s articles and interviews have appeared in such prominent newspapers as The Wall Street Journal, The Los Angeles Times, The Christian Science Monitor, The Chicago Tribune, The San Francisco Chronicle and USA Today. 

 Al-Maryati has been deeply involved in interfaith activities in the Los Angeles area, where he serves as an adviser to numerous political, civic and academic institutions. For the past 24 years, he has spoken to community events at temples, synagogues, churches, high schools and colleges on Islam, human rights, democracy and Middle East politics.