VISITING SPEAKER: Muslims, Democracy and the 21st Century by Javed Ahmad Ghamidi

Mr Ahmad has authored numerous books and lectured widely on Islam and Muslim issues including democracy, blasphemy law, rights of citizens particularly women, and terrorism. Born in Pakistan in 1951, he holds a BA in English Literature and Philosophy from the Government College, Lahore (1972) and has studied Islamic disciplines in the traditional manner from various teachers and scholars. He taught Islamic studies at the Civil Services Academy for more than a decade from 1979 to 1991, and was member of the Council of Islamic Ideology, Pakistan. He is the founder-president of Al-Mawrid Institute of Islamic Sciences and is the chief editor of the Urdu Monthly Ishraq and the English Monthly Renaissance . He is also the founder of the Mus‘ab School System. He appears regularly on various television channels to discuss Islam and contemporary issues as a part of his campaign to educate people about Islam. Javed Ahmed Ghamidi is currently living in Malaysia where he relocated after his outspoken criticism of Taliban earned him their wrath.