Seminar Abstract

Arab prodemocracy uprisings (the Arab Spring) toppled autocratic regimes, brought democratic elections in Egypt and Tunisia and chaos in Libya, Syria and Yemen. The subsequent coup and restoration of authoritarianism in Egypt and role of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates as well as the role of the EU and US raise critical questions about the future of democracy, political Islam and US-Muslim world relations.

About the Speaker

John L. Esposito is University Professor, Professor of Religion and International Affairs and of Islamic Studies and Founding Director of the Prince Alwaleed bin Talal Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding and of The Bridge Initiative: Protecting Pluralism – Ending Islamophobia at Georgetown University. He is currently visiting RSIS as S. Rajaratnam Professor of Strategic Studies. His more than 55 books include: What Everyone Needs to Know about Islam; Shariah, What Everyone Needs to Know; The Future of Islam; Who Speaks for Islam?: What a Billion Muslims Really Think; Religion and Violence; Unholy War: Terror in the Name of Islam; The Islamic Threat: Myth or Reality?; Islam and Democracy after the Arab Spring; Islamophobia and the Challenge of Pluralism in the 21^st Century. Esposito’s writings are translated into more than 45 languages.

Past President of the American Academy of Religion and Middle East Studies Association of North America, Esposito has been a member of the World Economic Forum’s Council of 100 Leaders and the E. C. European Network of Experts on De-Radicalisation, a Senior Scientist for The Gallup Center for Muslim Studies, and ambassador for the UN Alliance of Civilizations. He has served as a consultant to the U.S. Department of State and other agencies, European and Asian governments, corporations, universities, and media worldwide.