Equipping Afghans with Ideas of Liberty & its Compatibility with Islam: A Discussion on ‘Why as a Muslim, I Defend Liberty’ Book
Since the establishment of the Afghanistan Economic and Legal Studies Organization (AELSO), one of our important initiatives is to translate and publish books and launch different roundtables/views exchange programs all over Afghanistan, with the aim to discuss and promote the compatibility of free society values with Islam and to address the misinterpretations of Islam among the nation, educating them about the ideas of peace, love, liberty, and prosperity.
Continuing from our prior initiatives focused on exploring the compatibility of Islam with the values of a free society, we take great pride in announcing the successful organization of both online and in-person simultaneous events in Kabul discussing the contents of the “Why as a Muslim, I Defend Liberty” book with the presence of about 100 Afghan youths and the author of the book, Mr. Mustafa Akyol, who is a Senior Fellow at the CATO Institute and a well-known Muslim scholar. He tirelessly advocates for the compatibility of Islam with liberty.
During this event, Akyol engaged in a comprehensive discussion, expounding upon the contents and concepts outlined in his book, spanning approximately two hours. Through an exchange of scholarly insights, he eloquently showcased the alignment of Islam with the principles of freedom. Attendees, whether joining remotely or in person at our headquarters in Kabul, had the opportunity to pose questions to Mr. Akyol.
Each participant of the program was graciously provided with a complimentary copy of the book, fostering a deeper engagement with its ideas. Furthermore, they were afforded the unique privilege of receiving direct responses to their inquiries from the author himself. This event not only enriched their understanding but also facilitated an interactive dialogue surrounding the book’s themes. Furthermore, the event provided an opportunity to delve into the role of women in leadership positions within the context of Islamic principles.
“Why as a Muslim, I Defend Liberty” book was translated and published in Dari language within Afghanistan last March. Following its publication, the book received numerous feedback that highlighted its potential to address numerous challenges facing Afghanistan. It is perceived as offering solutions on how to preserve individual liberty while respecting religious beliefs. The distribution of the book spanned across over 30 private and public universities in Afghanistan, as well as reaching various organizations and think tanks within the country.
“Your book is what exactly nowadays Afghan people need.” – Marzia Karimi, Member, Women’s Leadership Academy
“Thank you very much, I am very happy to hear your words. I am proud that among the Muslim community there are people like Mr. Akyol who present Islam as it is to others.” – Adila Ghaznavi, Member, Women’s Leadership Academy
The Afghanistan Economic and Legal Studies Organization (AELSO) operates as an independent organization with a dedicated mission: to combat poverty and foster peace and prosperity within the Afghan nation through market-based solutions.
If you’re interested in participating in any of our programs, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us at: events@aelso.org
Together, we can bring peace, prosperity and tackle poverty in Afghanistan.
You can watch the recorded video of the program in below: