Co-Sponsors
Description
Democracy is a system of governance that upholds the principles of equality, participation, and individual rights. A fundamental aspect of democratic societies is the freedom of religion, which allows individuals to practice, change, or abstain from religious beliefs without fear of persecution or discrimination. This freedom fosters a pluralistic environment where diverse faiths coexist, encouraging dialogue and mutual respect among different communities. By protecting faith communities and showing allyship we can continue to practice our democracy through Jewish-Muslim cooperation and building community.
Award-winning educator Prof. Mehnaz Afridi, is the Director of the Holocaust, Genocide, and Interfaith Education Center at Manhattan University. Dr. Afridi will discuss her work and how civic discourse and engagement through acknowledging one another's status as minority religious groups is possible.
The views expressed by our speakers do not necessarily reflect those of Western Washington University.
Featuring:
Mehnaz Afridi, PhD, Speaker
Mehnaz Afridi teaches Islam and the Holocaust. In her classes on Islam, she explores contemporary issues of religious identity, including gender, race, and class. She also examines diverse interpretations of the Qur'an across various Muslim communities. Many of her classes focus on the intersections of religion, theology, and politics. Afridi has developed courses such as "Muslims and the Holocaust," "Religion and the Holocaust," and "Genocide and the Holocaust."
A Muslim scholar committed to interfaith understanding, she explores religious identity and preserves Holocaust survivors’ memories.
For more information about the work done on and off campus at the Holocaust, Genocide, and Interfaith Education Center, please visit the HGI website.
Local Holocaust survivor Noémi Ban was an award-winning educator and public speaker. A beloved member of the Western community, the institute's online memorial lecture series honors Noémi's legacy by bringing renowned scholars to virtual audiences to share their insights on Holocaust and Genocide Education.
Learn more about Noémi's life.
Questions and Accommodations
- Your point of contact for this event is the Ray Wolpow Institute. Email: Wolpow.Institute@wwu.edu.
- Advance notice for disability accommodations and special needs is appreciated. Please mention your needs when registering.
- There will be auto-captions for the Zoom webinar.