Open Discussions
in association with
Gulf Cultural Club
invites you to a Discussion titled:
Beyond Khashoggi’s case
Religious, moral and diplomatic deficiencies
of contemporary political power
Speakers
*Dr Turhan Ozen (Engineer, political activist)
** Revnd Frank Gelli (priest and author)
***Dr Aly Qabbay (former colleague of Khashoggi)
The brutal death on 2nd October of journalist Jamal Khashoggi at a diplomatic mission in Istanbul has awakened the public to some of the unpleasant realities of the modern world. Away from the details of the case, there is a pressing need for a fresh look at the developing real politique that is inflicting the world of diplomacy and international relations. Will this gruesome tale push the “free world” to a more humanistic approach to state-to-state relations? Issues of war and peace? Advancement of democratic and human rights reforms in countries ruled by “our allies”? Why has the notion of modern statehood in a world that become increasingly devoid of morality, religious guidance or logical political behaviour? Has the world become a more dangerous place for the human species given the burgeoning of the petro-dollar influence at times of fiscal crisis?
6.30pm, Tuesday, 13th November 2018
Venue: Abrar House, 45 Crawford Place, W1H 4LP
* Dr Turhan Ozen was born in Turkey. After obtaining BSc in Engineering from Middle East Technical University, he studied at Imperial College for an MSc and University of Leicester for his PhD. Before moving into private sector, he worked at Nottingham University as a research fellow. Dr Ozen currently works as a software engineer at a finance company. Dr Ozen is also active in politics. He was a Liberal Democrat European Parliamentary Candidate for London in 2014 and a Parliamentary Candidate for Tottenham in 2015. In January 2016, Dr Ozen was elected to chair UK Branch of Union of European Turkish Democrats (UETD) an organisation that promotes active participation of the Turkish Community in politics.
**The Revd Frank Julian Gelli obtained a BA in Philosophy from Birkbeck College, London, an MA in Christian Ethics as well as a PGCE, both from Kings College, London. He also holds an Oxford University Certificate in Theology. Three years ago he obtained an MA in Islamic Studies from the Muslim College, London. In 1986 he was ordained as Anglican priest. He served in London parishes, as well as a chaplain to the Church of St Nicholas, British Embassy, Ankara, Turkey. From 1999, Father Frank has devoted himself to writing and to interfaith dialogue. He has lectured on interfaith in the US, Switzerland, Italy, Germany, Turkey and Qatar, where he was Visiting Fellow at the Family Institute, Qatar University. He often takes part in interviews and discussions on TV Channels like Press TV, Ahlulbayt TV and Islam Channel. He has three books available online. ‘Husayn at Karbala: The Enduring Struggle’, ‘Julius Evola, the Sufi of Rome’ and ‘The Dark Side of Britain’. His next book will be ‘The Qur’an and the Art of Problem-Solving’.
*** Dr ALy El Kabbany is Journalist, religious and political analyst on Middle East affairs. He was working from 1978 to 1981 Journalist with Al-Hawadess magazine. A weekly socio-political Pan-Arab magazine. From January 1982 to June 1983 he was working with ”2000 Magazine”, a monthly futuristic magazine. From July 1983 to 1990 he was the general manager of the Islamic Press Agency (IPA), publishing 5 different magazines. He had working relations with Khashoggi at the IPA. From 1991 to date: freelance journalist and Political analyst on the Middle East affairs in TV and Radio.
Admission is Free. Please register for catering purposes – email: d05sa@yahoo.co.uk or text 07795 660 438
