In order to keep abreast of the rapidly changing political situation in the Islamic Middle East, the Sasakawa Peace Foundation is currently conducting a lecture series on political movements in the region.

For this, the 10th lecture, Dr. Abdul Razak Abdullah, Director of the Islamic Peace Foundation (UK), is invited to speak on the subject of “The State of the Islamic World: Between Religion and Politics” on Monday, February 18.

Dr. Abdullah is a former head of Strategic Studies and International Relations at the Malaysian Armed Forces Defence College, as well as an ex-adviser to the Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak.　He is active in the UK and Malaysia, promoting research through the Islamic Peace Foundation into Umma (Islamic community). In the UK, he is speaking out against anti-Islamic prejudice, and promoting mutual understanding between Muslims and Christians. In addition, in Malaysia, where there is a sense of crisis as some of the youth are turning to extreme fundamentalism, he is very active in focusing on leading the youth down the path of rationality.

In the light of the recent deaths of Japanese hostages in Algeria, and the rapidly changing situation in the Islamic Middle East, we believe Dr. Abdullah’s broad knowledge and experience in the Middle East and Islamic Southeast Asia will prove indispensable in deepening understanding of “The State of the Islamic World: Between Religion and Politics.”

We hope you will join us at what promises to be a highly informative and entertaining event.