February 23, 2011

On Sunday, Feb. 27, MPAC will host a special forum in Los Angeles on “The New Middle East: Tunisia, Egypt & Beyond” to examine the popular uprisings taking place across the Middle East, implications for Muslim Americans, and the need for U.S. policy change in the region. 

Hosted by the Islamic Center of Southern California, the forum will feature Dr. Maher Hathout (MPAC Senior Adviser), Sarah Eltantawi (PhD Candidate in Religion at Harvard University), and Dr.  Mark Levine (Professor of History at UC Irvine).  

The forum will also be webcast live at www.mpac.org/webcast.
You can also ask questions online. Go to the webcast.

WHAT: “The New Middle East: Tunisia, Egypt & Beyond”

WHEN: Sunday, Feb. 27
              11:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

WHERE: Islamic Center of Southern California
                434 S. Vermont Ave., Los Angeles, CA

WHO: Dr. Maher Hathout, MPAC Senior Adviser
          Sarah Eltantawi, doctoral candidate in the Religion (Islamic Studies) at Harvard University
          Mark LeVine, UC Irvine Professor of Modern Middle Eastern history, culture & Islamic studies

In January, the Tunisian popular uprising led to the ousting of long-time President Zine El Abidene Ben Ali. Less than a month later, 18 days of massive Egyptian peaceful demonstrations led to President Hosni Mubarak stepping down after 30 years. 

Now, the world’s attention turns to Libya, Yemen, Algeria, Bahrain and beyond. As Libya’s dictator Moammar Qaddafi  and Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa and other leaders in the region unleash deadly violence against their own people who are peacefully demanding change, will the people be able to stand together to bring down their dictators and create a possibility for free and fair elections? 

SEE: “Kaddafi Must Immediately Step Down & Must Be Prosecuted For Crimes Against Humanity”