Drawing upon the life experiences of historical figures prominent in achieving social change through non-violent means and the Islamic precepts that shape Muslim response to conflict, Professor Rachel Mann and Imam Johari Abdul Malik presented a collaborative seminar at IIIT on Friday, October 22.

Dr. Mann explained that there was incredible strength and courage that comes out of not picking up arms in the face of oppression, and that it was an act of great spirituality to not have arms in one’s own hands. Imam Johari argued that the narrative of the Prophet Muhammad’s live was essentially that of non-violence, including the events of the Hijra, Ta’if and Hudabiyah, as opposed to the narrative that young people in America are exposed to today.