Professor Feryal Salem has several speaking engagements over the next few weeks, including a two-part program about “Moral Leadership” at St. Patrick-St. Anthony Church in Hartford and a study retreat program on Imam Ghazali and Islamic Spirituality at Wisdom House Retreat and Conference Center in Litchfield.

At St. Patrick-St. Anthony, the two-part “Moral Leadership” program begins on Thursday, Oct. 26, from 6:45-8:30 p.m. with a session on Sacred Texts & Great Figures — How Do They Speak to Us? Professor Salem will be presenting along with Father Thomas Gallagher.

The questions: How do we discover moral leadership in our own and each others’ texts — Bible, Qur’an & hadith ? Are there “guidelines” for conduct?  Is there prophetic preaching or prayerful exhortation that compels us? Do the stories of human beings interacting with each other and with God speak to us?  And who are the people who inspire us — who are our human examples for how to “act rightly” and live “in right relationship” with one another?

On Monday, Nov. 6, also from 6:45 p.m. – 8:30 p.m., the topic will be A Call to Action — How Will We Stand Together?

The questions: Grounded in — and inspired and encouraged by — sacred text and human example, we come together again to ask: what can we do, what must we do — together?  How are we, too, called to be “moral leaders” — in our own times and our present situations?

Both sessions will be held at: St. Patrick – St. Anthony Church’s Franciscan Center for Urban Ministry, 285 Church Street, Hartford

RSVP by calling the church office: (860) 756-4034

On Saturday, Oct. 28, from 9:30 a.m. – 3 p.m., Professor Salem will present a program at the Wisdom House Retreat and Conference Center called Marvels of the Heart: Ghazali and Islamic Spirituality.

Imam Ghazali is known as one of the foremost scholars of Islamic spirituality (Sufism), theology, and ethics within the tradition of Islam. His works have impacted a vast array of thinkers from a range of religious traditions down the ages including Thomas Aquinas. This study retreat day will examine the thought and philosophy of Ghazali as it relates to spirituality through focusing on his text, Marvels of the Heart. 

To register for this program, click here.