Register for Our January 25th Event
Fostering Understanding in Our Community: Islamaphobia 2.0: The Evolution of Anti-Muslim Sentiments in the US

Ten years ago, Dr Abdul-Cader and Prof. Lloyd-Moffett and their friend Rev. Jane Voigts led San Luis Obispo in a six-session community class on the basics of the Islamic faith called A Taste of Islam.  Over 500 people attended these sessions, friendships were formed, and knowledge about Islam grew in our community.  However, ten years later, Islamaphobia still infects the American soul in new and often disturbing ways.  This talk will examine how sentiments have shifted in the United States through both academic analysis and personal experience.

Our Distinguished Speakers

• Dr. Rushdi Abdul-Cader
  A local physician, who after 20 years of serving in the Emergency Room has shifted to be the medical director of the SLO County Jail.  He is the co-founder of the first Muslim free clinic in the United States and Anti-VIRUS (Anti-Violent Ideology Recruitment in the United States.) His interest in policing in America led to him becoming a member of the local SWAT team and a nationally-known trainer for SWAT trauma medicine.  A tireless advocate for the value of interreligious dialogue, Dr. Abdul-Cader has spoken countless times throughout the county, advocating for tolerance and understanding of all religions.

• Professor Stephen Lloyd-Moffett
  A professor of Comparative Religion at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, an occasional columnist for the Tribune, and advocate for religious dialogue.  An internationally-known scholar of Religious Studies, Dr. Lloyd-Moffett has given over 100 local lectures on Islam since his arrival in the area in 2005.  He is the past recipient of the College of Liberal Arts teaching award and the Top 20 Under 40 award from the San Luis Obispo Tribune. 

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