Of course, as Pal acknowledged to an audience of about 100, that is not the prevalent perception among non-Muslims, who often see Islam as a religion largely spread and defined by violence – a notion made worse by the tragedy of 9/11. Drawing from his new book, “Islam Means Peace: Understanding the Muslim Principle of Nonviolence Today,” Pal recommended re-examining the sources of Islam, such as the Quran, to find nonviolent elements.

As part of his presentation, Pal sought to clarify the meaning of certain terms such as jihad, which he described as often misunderstood. “Jihad does not mean war, bloodshed, violence or attack; rather, it means struggle, both internal and external,” he said.

When asked why he, a Hindu native of India, chose to write a book sorting through the confusion and misperceptions about Islam, Pal pointed out that the connection was natural. “A Pashtun friend of Mahatma Gandhi, Abdul Ghaffar Khan, founded a movement dedicated to nonviolence and social reform,” he said. Pal also spent most of his childhood in an environment where Hindus and Muslims lived and worked together.

The event was a feature of the Al Ghazali Islamic Studies Program, housed in the �鶹ԭ�� Global Perspectives Office, in partnership with the �鶹ԭ�� College of Arts & Humanities. It was also part of two 2012 themes, “People Power, Politics and Global Change” and “Covering Global Crises from the Frontlines,” as well as the “India Speaker Series.”

Other sponsors and partners included the �鶹ԭ�� Middle Eastern Studies Program, the �鶹ԭ�� Political Science Department, the �鶹ԭ�� Diplomacy Program, The India Program at �鶹ԭ��, the �鶹ԭ�� Nicholson School of Communication, the �鶹ԭ�� Book Festival 2012 in association with the Morgridge International Reading Center, the �鶹ԭ�� International Services Center, �鶹ԭ�� LIFE and the Global Connections Foundation.

Pal, who is also the managing editor of The Progressive, will speak at 3 p.m. in the Garden Key Room of the Student Union. His presentation is a feature of the Al Ghazali Islamic Studies Program, housed in the �鶹ԭ�� Global Perspectives Office, in partnership with the �鶹ԭ�� College of Arts & Humanities. It is free and open to the public.

The event, organized by the �鶹ԭ�� Global Perspectives Office, is also part of the 2011-2012 themes of “People Power, Politics and Global Change,” “Covering Global Crises from the Frontlines” and “India Speaker Series.”

In this book, Pal seeks to rebut many misconceptions about Islam by detailing its tradition of nonviolence. He chooses to incorporate modern Muslim societies in his analysis by spotlighting recent peaceful protest movements.

Pal is also the co-editor of the Progressive Media Project. In his work, he has interviewed many newsmakers, such as the Dalai Lama, Mikhail Gorbachev, Jimmy Carter and John Kenneth Galbraith.

In addition to the Global Perspectives Office and the Al Ghazali Islamic Studies Program, sponsors and partners include the �鶹ԭ�� Middle Eastern Studies Program, the �鶹ԭ�� Political Science Department, the �鶹ԭ�� Diplomacy Program, the �鶹ԭ�� Nicholson School of Communication, the �鶹ԭ�� Book Festival 2012 in association with the Morgridge International Reading Center, the �鶹ԭ�� International Services Center, �鶹ԭ�� LIFE and the Global Connections Foundation.