Using Ramadan as an opportunity to reflect on how to make meaningful changes to lives, lifestyles, and society will be the topic of a special virtual edition of Qatar Foundation’s (QF) Education City Speaker Series next week, as the platform for dialogue welcomes a renowned American Muslim scholar, writer, and civil rights leader.
Dr Omar Suleiman will be the guest speaker for the online event on April 21, to discuss how the holy month enables people to explore ways in which they can make a lasting difference to the way they live their lives, and contribute to their communities.
The Ramadan-themed discussion – Crafting a Lifetime of Change from a Month of Reflection – mirrors QF’s commitment to empowering people to lead and drive change, by providing opportunities for them to realize their potential and recognize the active role they can play in shaping the future.
The founder and president of the Yaqeen Institute for Islamic Research and professor of Islamic Studies at Southern Methodist University in the US, Dr Suleiman is also the resident scholar of the Valley Ranch Islamic Center and Co-Chair Emeritus of Faith Forward Dallas at Thanks-Giving Square, a multi-faith coalition for peace and justice, for which he received a United Nations Global Goals Award in 2016.
He came to national recognition in the US as an advocate for community service, inter-faith dialogue, and social justice for his work in directing the Muslims for Humanity relief effort in the wake of the Hurricane Katrina disaster. Since then, his sense of activism and desire to be a leader of positive change has seen him contribute to causes including immigration reform and the plight of Syrian refugees. Dr Suleiman has been named one of the world’s 500 most influential Muslims by the Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Centre in Jordan, and as one of the 25 most influential Muslims in America by CNN.
Next week’s talk will be the eighth online edition of the Education City Speaker Series, which has been held in virtual form since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic last year. Reflecting QF’s belief in the power of dialogue to unearth solutions, open up conversations, and broaden perspective, it enables audiences from Qatar and beyond to learn from, and engage with, experts and thought leaders on topics shaping global society.
Since the Education City Speaker Series was first hosted online in April 2020, tens of thousands of local, regional, and international viewers have since tuned in to discussions on topics ranging from the global response to Covid-19, its impact on mental health, and the development of vaccines designed to combat the virus, to racism and white privilege, regenerative development, and national identity.
Taking place from 9-10pm Doha time on April 21, the Ramadan edition of the Education City Speaker Series with Dr. Suleiman will feature a 40-minute discussion moderated by QF communications specialist Shaymaa Ziara, followed by a 20-minute question-and-answer session, with the audience having the opportunity to pose their questions to the speaker.
Viewers watching on Microsoft Teams will be able to access Arabic, English, French, Spanish, and Italian subtitles, and the event will also be streamed live on QF’s YouTube, Facebook, and Twitter channels. For more information, and to register, visit www.qf.org.qa/ecss
 
 
Related Story