Invitation to attend:
POTOMAC INSTITUTE FOR POLICY STUDIES
901 North Stuart St., Suite 200, Arlington, Virginia 22203 (703) 525-0770
You are Cordially Invited to Attend
A Lecture by Dr. Tawfik Hamid,
Chair for the Study of Islamic Radicalism,
On the Threat of "Passive Terrorism"
On April 22, from 12-2 pm, The Potomac Institute for Policy Studies (www.potomacinstitute.org), will present a lecture by Dr. Tawfik Hamid, the Institute's Chair for the Study of Islamic Radicalism. Dr. Hamid will speak on the subject of "passive terrorism," a phenomenon he says arises when ordinary Muslim citizens are unwilling to speak out against acts of terrorism by Islamic radicals.
Dr. Hamid argues that in contrast to the strong outcry from the Muslim street against cartoons depicting the prophet Mohammed, reaction from Muslims around the world to terrorist violence has been muted. Exploring the roots and causes of this reaction, he suggests that "passive terrorism" is a serious societal problem that could be as important as, and perhaps more serious than, active terrorism itself. Dr. Hamid suggests that "passive terrorism" encourages the spread of active terrorism, and poses the controversial question of whether some high-profile religious Fatwas against terrorism were sincere or designed as a smokescreen by religious authorities.
Dr. Hamid is no stranger to controversy: a onetime member of the Islamic radical group Jamaa-Islamiya, he has focused in recent years on combating radicalism and has argued for a fresh interpretation of the Quran to counterbalance radical teaching. Dr. Hamid is the author of Inside Jihad and has traveled the world lecturing against terrorism and radicalism. He holds a medical degree in internal medicine and a Master's degree in cognitive psychology and educational techniques.
The program will be held at the Potomac Institute for Policy Studies, 901 N. Stuart Street, Suite 200, Arlington, VA 22203. Lunch will be served and RSVPs are required; please reply by responding to this e-mail or to Laurie Kinney at 703-525-0770 or lkinney@potomacinstitute.org .