The Transmogrification of Middle East Culture

Michael Saad

Thursday, March 25 @ 11:30 - 12:30

A1/1052

Collaboration, cross-fertilization, and mutual nurturing of cultures can and should be promoted for the benefit of mankind. One hundred years ago, the Middle East was thriving on this principle. Like Los Angeles of today, Alexandria, Egypt, for example, was one of the most culturally and religiously diversified metropolises in the world. Unfortunately, most of that has changed, and a culture of violence has now taken root in the Middle East, gradually spilling over to the United States. The events of 911 have crystallized the magnitude of these changes.

With a sense of  hope and mission, Human Development Club member Michael Saad will explore the cultural aspects of the subject and suggest qualifiers to Harvard’s Samuel P. Huntington’s ‘clash of civilizations’ paradigm. Michael received an MA from the University of Chicago Divinity School (1987) with a focus on the interaction between religion, culture and politics; has published many articles on related topics; and was a guest at several TV programs.