A Discussion on Middle Eastern Policy and Dialogue

The Islamic Resource Bank (IRB) and the International Institute of Islamic Thought (IIIT) held a joint event last Saturday to discuss various topics facing the American Muslim community and US policy toward the Middle East and Muslim world.

Atlas’s  president, Alex Chafuen gave the opening presentation on the topic, “Speaking to Policy Makers.”  Dr. Chafuen discussed the goals of Atlas and the vision of its founder, Sir Anthony Fisher, who believed that change is most effective through individuals and public policy institutes. Over the past twenty-eight years, Atlas has helped nurture  think tanks and institutes in the US and around the world. In particular, Atlas helped the Acton Institute, a faith-based, free market oriented think tank to get established in the early 1990’s, around the same time, Atlas assisted The Minarets of Freedom Institute, an Islamic free market think tank, with a modest financial contribution, to establish itself. Pointing out that Atlas is a “big tent,”  Alex explained that some of Atlas’s affiliates and partners have opposite points of views. Nevertheless, this should not exclude them from learning through the successes of others to advance free markets, individual responsibility and respect for the role of law.

Alex Kronemer, a Washington, D.C. based writer and film producer with Unity Production Foundation discussed another topic of interest;  ways to counter religious tension by improving interfaith dialog. His documentary, Cities of Light: The Rise and Fall of Islamic Spain (PBS, 2007), refers to a time when Jews, Christians and Muslims lived a life  of peaceful co-existence and how trade and commerce flourished throughout the region.

Mr. Kronemer will be discussing similar topics at Atlas’ International Thursday  meeting on August 20, 2009.

Here is a brief look at his accomplishments:

“Mr. Kronemer has produced and executive produced several documentaries including, Muhammad: Legacy of a Prophet (PBS, 2002), Cities of Light: The Rise and Fall of Islamic Spain (PBS, 2007), winner of Best Documentary at the 2007 American Black Film Festival, Prince Among Slaves (PBS, 2008). His essays have been published in numerous newspapers and on-line, including the Christian Science Monitor, Beliefnet.com, the San Jose Mercury News, and the Washington Post, and have been included in several book anthologies, including his essay, “What Would Mohammad Say About Terrorism?” in the September 11th memorial book, Up From the Ashes and “Islam and Democracy” in the prize winning essay collection, Taking Back Islam. He frequently appears on radio and television and was a CNN-TV commentator in 1998 during its week of live-broadcast coverage of the Hajj, the Muslim pilgrimage.  Mr. Kronemer is the co-founder of Unity Productions Foundation, a non-profit foundation and production company seeking to work for peace through the media. He possess a Master’s in Theological Studies from Harvard Divinity School.”