The ICJS will hold a series of informative lectures about Islam on four Tuesdays: April 24, May 1, May 8, and May 15 from 7:30-9:00 p.m. at Temple Oheb Shalom, 7310 Park Heights Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21208.

Despite its being one of the three Abrahamic faiths, many Jews and Christians are unaware of even the basic tenets of the Islamic religious tradition. ICJS has received many requests to broaden the conversation in regard to religious pluralism and exploring the differences and commonalities between Islam and the Jewish and Christian traditions. This lecture series seeks to provide basic information about the underpinnings of the Mus-lim faith through the perspectives of four prominent scholars, authors, and community leaders. Three speakers are practicing Muslims, and all four are deeply engaged in fostering under-standing and tolerance between Western and Middle Eastern cultures. In an age of increasing globalization, it is ever more essential to have a thorough education in others' beliefs and practices. ICJS is committed to overcoming misunderstanding and encouraging relationship-building between different faith communities.

April 24, 2007 Dr. Ingrid Mattson is Professor of Islamic Studies and Christian-Muslim Relations and Director of the Islamic Chaplaincy at the Hartford Seminary in Connecticut. She earned a Ph.D. in Islamic Studies from the University of Chicago. Her research is focused on Islamic law and society. She is the current president of the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA).

May 1, 2007 Dr. John L. Esposito is Professor of International Affairs and Islamic Studies at Georgetown University and is founding Director of Georgetown's Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding. He has served as President of the Middle East Studies Association of North America and of the American Council for the Study of Islamic Societies, as well as a consul-tant to governments, multinational corporations, and the media worldwide.

May 8, 2007 Dr. Fouad Ajami is Director of the Middle East Studies Program at the School of Advanced International Studies at Johns Hopkins University. A frequent contributor to The New York Times and a board member of the Council on Foreign Relations, Dr. Ajami is one of the most politically influ-ential Arab-American intellectuals in the United States.

May 15, 2007 Dr. Sayyid M. Syeed recently served as the Secretary General of the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) and now heads the ISNA's new Office of Interfaith and Community Alliances in Washington, D.C. Dr. Syeed earned a Ph.D. in Sociolinguistics from Indiana University. He is actively involved in fostering understanding among the world's religions, is a frequent speaker at interfaith dialogues, and has served as a member of the Board of Trustees of the Council for a Parliament of the World's Religions.

For more information, or to register, please call the ICJS at 410-523-7227.