SDSU Lecture Series Explores the Role of Religion in Ethnic Conflict, Genocide and Terrorism

‘In the Name of God’ Brings International Experts to Campus Throughout Semester

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Lorena Ruggero
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SAN DIEGO (Monday, Jan. 28, 2008) — How does religion impact a country’s politics? Why do suicide bombers kill in the name of God? What role has Christianity played in genocide?

SDSU Professor Dipak Gupta is organizing the semester-long lecture series 'In the Name of God.'

All of these questions and more will be addressed as part of San Diego State University’s semester-long lecture series presented by the Fred J. Hansen Institute for World Peace and the Charles Hostler Institute on World Affairs. "In the Name of God: The Role of Religion in Ethnic Conflict, Genocide and Terrorism" started with an introduction and overview of the program by Ronald Bee, director of the Hostler Institute, on Jan. 24 and will end with a panel discussion featuring professors from SDSU and the University of San Diego on May 8. The lectures are free and open to the public.

"Religion has been a source of solace to many and has been a fountainhead of increasing carnage worldwide," said Dipak Gupta, Hansen Professor of Peace Studies at SDSU and author of "Understanding Terrorism and Political Violence." "This lecture series will try to explore the complex issues that bind society and religion."

The series is funded and organized by the Fred J. Hansen Foundation, with additional funding from the Charles Hostler Institute on World Affairs. The mission of the Fred J. Hansen Institute for World Peace is to promote peaceful relations among adversary nations through cooperation on programs of mutual benefit and interest. Hansen was one of the San Diego region’s first avocado growers and, based on his travels around the world, Hansen became convinced that if adversary nations could be encouraged to work together on projects of mutual benefit, they could help heal their differences.

The Charles Hostler Institute on World Affairs, founded in 1942, is beginning its 66th year at SDSU. It is the second oldest organization of its kind west of the Mississippi River. Its purpose is to make available to the SDSU community, and to the people of Southern California, a forum for the discussion of critical topics in international affairs by hosting ambassadors to the U.S. from around the globe. Hostler is a former U.S. ambassador to Bahrain and a former SDSU adjunct professor of political science.

The following lectures will be presented as part of the “In the Name of God” lecture series:

January 31 – In Our Own Image: Religion in the Context of Political Action presentation by Dipak K. Gupta, Hansen Professor of Peace Studies at SDSU and author of “Understanding Terrorism and Political Violence.” Gupta will argue that religion in the hands of charismatic leaders becomes a tool of political mobilization. 7 p.m. in Hardy Tower, room 140.

February 7 – When Religion Fills Refugee Camps: The Case of Sudan presentation by Benjamin Ajak, a former “lost boy” of Sudan, who will discuss the role of religion in the Sudanese genocide. 7 p.m. in Hardy Tower, room 140.

February 14 – Religiosity and Prejudice: Is There a Connection presentation by SDSU professor emeritus Jai Ghorpade. This provocative lecture will examine the empirical evidence toward a connection between measurable aspects of religiosity (such as church attendance) is correlated with prejudice. 7 p.m. in Hardy Tower, room 140.

February 21 – Lessons of the Armenian Genocide presented by Peter Balakian, author of “The Burning Tigris.” This lecture is co-sponsored by the Baron Lecture in Ethics Education and Kathy Justice. 7 p.m. in Hardy Tower, room 140.

February 28 – Christianities of Complicity and Compassion: Religious Reasons for Persecuting and Protecting Jews during the Holocaust presentation by SDSU history professor Lawrence Baron. 7 p.m. in Hardy Tower, room 140.

March 3 – For God and Ireland: Religion, Terrorism and Nationalism in Modern Ireland presentation by Richard English of Queens University, London. 4-6 p.m. in Nasatir Hall, room 100.

March 6 – Suicide Bombers in Iraq presented by Mohammed Hafez, a political science professor at the University of Kansas. This lecture is co-sponsored by the Center for Islamic and Arabic Studies. 7 p.m. in Hardy Tower, room 140.

March 13 – Limits of Religious Politics in India presentation by Partha Ghosh, professor of international politics at Jawaharlal Nehru University, India. This lecture is co-sponsored by the M.C. Madhavan Distinguished Lecture Series. 7 p.m. in Hardy Tower, room 140.

March 20 – Muslims in Europe: Singing God’s Song in a Strange Land presentation by Chris Soper, political science professor at Pepperdine University. 7 p.m. in Hardy Tower, room 140.

March 26 – Islam and Democracy presentation by Sir Eldon Griffiths, former international reporter and government minister in the United Kingdom, and the Honorable Amédee Turner, Queen’s Counsel and Honorary Member of the European Parliament. 4-6 p.m. in a classroom to be determined.

April 3 – Spring Break (no lecture)

April 10 – The Honorable Mahmud Ali Durrani, Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to the United States. 7 p.m. in ENS 280.

April 17 –The Honorable Dr. Naser M.Y. Al Belooshi, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Bahrain to the United States. 7 p.m. in Hardy Tower, room 140.

April 24 – Islam and the Secular State: Turkey between French and American Models presentation by Ahmet Kuru, SDSU political science professor. 7 p.m. in Hardy Tower, room 140.

May 1 – The Importance of Restorative Justice and Forgiveness: From Personal Tragedy to National Strategy presentation by Azim Khamisa, co-founder of the San Diego-based Tariq Khamisa Foundation, and Brian Loveman, SDSU political science professor. 7 p.m. in Hardy Tower, room 140.

May 8 – Roundtable wrap-up discussion featuring William Headley, dean, Joan B. Kroc School of Peace Studies, University of San Diego; Rebecca Moore, religious studies professor, SDSU; and Khaleel Mohammed, religious studies professor, SDSU. 7 p.m. in Hardy Tower, room 140.

San Diego State University is the oldest and largest higher education institution in the San Diego region. Since it was founded in 1897, the university has grown to offer bachelor’s degrees in 81 areas, master’s degrees in 73 areas and doctorates in 16 areas. SDSU’s  approximately 35,000 students participate in an academic curriculum distinguished by direct contact with faculty and an increasing international emphasis that prepares them for a global future. For more information, visit www.sdsu.edu.