The subject about the role of religion in Egyptian society has been debated for centuries in Egypt’s Muslim and Christian communities. At the Center for Arab-West Understanding we are open to discussions with anyone and thus, which to facilitate such a debate. Last year we had Sheikh Muhammad Salah, a Salafi preacher, as speaker.

Left: Prof. Mahmoud Khayyal
Right: Last year's speaker Sheikh Muhammed Saleh

This time we invite you to a discussion with Prof. Mahmoud Khayyal, an Egyptian freethinker. Prof. Mahmoud Khayyal is the former dean of the College of Pharmacology at al- Azhar University, a major center of Islamic learning where non-religious subjects such as medicine and pharmacology have been taught since the 1960s. Prof. Khayyal is also an advocate of open debate and has a passion for challenging different people’s perceptions of the world.

To join us in the upcoming forum, we invited a number of our Salafi Muslim friends to challenge Prof. Khayyal in a discussion – unfortunately, all declined. Nevertheless, we invite you to come and join us in keen debate at the house of Mahmoud Khayyal, who has graciously agreed to host us on the evening of Thursday 27 November in Heliopolis.

In anticipation for the discussion we invite you to browse the well-informed discussion held on the ENAWU forum in May and June 2008 between the liberal and agnostic Muslim Amr el-Masry and two students from al-Azhar, one of which Baher Dokhan was an intern with us and wrote several marvelous texts in defence of Islam while at our center.

Discussion and debate are key to the understanding and appreciation of those who have opposing views. For anyone wishing to attend the discussion on November 27, 19.30 – 22.00, please write us at: [email protected]. 

Cornelis Hulsman