St. Mary's University, University Center, Conference Room A
(except as noted)

All events are free and open to the public

Fourth Annual Art of Peace Award Recipient:
John Branch, Editorial Cartoonist, San Antonio Express-News

Tuesday, March 19, 2002

9:45 a.m. The Middle East, A Mosaic
Moderator: Charles Cotrell, PhD, President, St. Mary's University
Margaret Luévano, Director, International Student Services, St. Mary's University & PPC
Leona Pallansch, PhD, Political Science, St. Mary's University & PPC

1. What is the Middle East? G eographic location? Why is it called the Middle East?
2. What are some shared characteristics that lead us to talk about the Middle East as a specific region of the world?
3. What are some sources of division/differences in the Middle East that would cause us to question treating this region as a single entity? Ethnic divisions, religious divisions, etc.
4. What are some of the most important misconceptions about the Middle East?
5. What are some of the major challenges confronting the Middle East?

1. Could you explain the role of the Qur'an in Islam and its relationship to the Torah and the Christian Bible?
2. What are the "Five Pillars" of Islam and why is each important?
3. What is the Sh'aria and what is its impact on Muslims in the US? In the Middle East?
4. What aspects of Islam add insight to the monotheistic tradition?

1. What are some pre-Islamic, Islamic, and non-Islamic influences on your home culture?
2. What aspects of your culture are most at odds with US culture?
3. Please comment on cultural influences on/in your art.
4. Would you care to comment on responses among Middle Easterners, whether in the US or abroad, to the September 11th attacks and to Osama bin Laden?
5. How has your cultural heritage influenced your work as an artist?

Wednesday, March 20, 2002

9:20 a.m. Islamic Women of the Middle East
Moderator: Patrick Simeroth, PPC
Siham Naseef, Islamic Education Bureau, Austin
Mary Ann Tétreault, PhD, Political Science, Trinity University

1. What is the place of women in Islam?
2. Can we speak of Muslim Feminism?
3. What are the main challenges for Islamic women of the Middle East in the present century?
4. What is women's participation in the Intifada?
5. How has the Israeli/Palestinian conflict affected Palestinian women?
6. How has the Israeli/Palestinian conflict affected Palestinian family life?

1. What are some of the issues that must be resolved to bring peace to the region? Where did these issues come from?
2. What has the US been doing to help facilitate or hinder peace between Israelis and Palestinians?
3. Why is it important that there be peace between Israelis and Palestinians?

1. What important events in the past has the US been involved with that have caused continued resentment by the people of the Middle East?
2. Why has the US been involved in the Middle East?
3. What has been the US role in the Arab/Israeli/Palestinian conflict?
4. Is there a "clash of civilizations" between the Muslim World and the West?

1. What action has the US taken in the Middle East since 9/11 and how has the action been defended and/or justified?
2. What relevance has international law had in outlining appropriate responses by the US to terrorist attacks?
3. Where has international law been lacking in providing guidance to US actions after 9/11?
4. What are some possible outcomes of present US military activities in Afghanistan?
5. What are some possible next steps to the US "war on terrorism"?

2:00 p.m. Legal Implications of 9/11: A Question of Security or Civil Liberties
Sponsored by The Scholar: St. Mary's Law Review on Minority Issues
Location: Law Library Alumni Room; Refreshments will be served
Host: David A. Dittfurth, JD, St. Mary's University School of Law
Gerry Goldstein, JD, Attorney who represented Dr. Al Badar Al-Hazmi
William Clark Harrell, Executive Director, ACLU of Texas

Thursday, March 21, 2002

9:45 a.m. Extremist Movements of the Middle East
Moderator: Larry Hufford, PhD, Political Science, St. Mary's University
Jalal K. Nejad, PhD, International Relations, St. Mary's University
Mansour El-Kikhia, PhD, Political Science, UTSA

1. Why has it been so difficult to develop one universally acceptable definition of terrorism? Give some examples from the Middle East.
2. What are some examples of countries in the Middle East whose domestic political stability and future are being undermined by extremist movements?
3. What are some factors that contribute to the emergence of extremist movements in the Middle East and the support of these movements by at least some segments of Middle East society?
4. What are some of the things that different extremist movements in the Middle East want?
5. How will the US "war on terrorism" affect extremist movements in the Middle East?

11:10 am: Is Any War "Just"? A Dialogue among Three Faiths
Moderator: Ben Domingue, PPC
Prof. James Ball, Theology, St. Mary's University
Ali Moshirsadri, Director, Islamic Foundation of San Antonio
Rabbi Areyah Scheinberg, Congregation Rodfei Sholom, San Antonio

1. What, if anything, counts as a "just war" in your religious tradition?
2. Does the current war against Afghanistan count as a just war? Why or why not?
3. Does the current war against terrorism count as a just war? Why or why not?

12:35 p.m. Cooperating Locally: The Tri-Faith Dialogue
Moderator: Javier Cervantes, PPC
Barbie Gorelick, Education Director, Congregation Beth Am; Founder & Director, The Tri-Faith Dialogue
Rev. Laura R. Holck, St. Mark Lutheran Church, Adkins, TX
Daniel Wright, Member, Interfaith Dialogue (UTSA)

1. What are the historical roots of your faith tradition in the Middle East?
2. How has your religious tradition been impacted by and responded to the events of September 11 and its aftermath?
3. What are some of the core values of your faith tradition that might appeal to students today?
4. What are some of the concrete steps students can take to begin to understand your faith tradition?

The President's Peace Commission fosters an ethical commitment to participate in the establishment of world peace and social justice. The Commission encourages respect for human rights and dignity of all people. The Commission annually hosts symposia that offer opportunities for students, faculty, and staff to grow in their active pursuit of peace and justice. Through the symposia and other activities, the Commission seeks to build within the St. Mary's community a greater awareness of the Roman Catholic and Marianist perspectives on peace and justice. The President's Peace Commission reflects the University community through student, staff, and faculty representatives appointed by the University President.

Students: Chris Chavez, Benjamin Domingue, Sophie Henrichs, Lily Liu, Patrick Simeroth, Grace Telles

Staff: Javier Cervantes, Yolanda Constancio, Melba Fisher, Margaret Luévano, Minita Santizo, Andrea Zeddies, PhD

Faculty: Elijah Akhahenda, PhD; Inmaculada de Melo-Martín, PhD; Diane M. Duesterhoeft; Trish Keogh; Janet Oglethorpe, PhD; Leona Pallansch, PhD; Richard S. Pressman, PhD

President's Peace Commission at St. Mary's University One Camino Santa Maria | San Antonio, Texas   78228 phone: (210) 436-3204 fax: 210-431-4336 lpallansch@stmarytx.edu