• Islamic theology expert will present free lecture in Bathurst on Tuesday 17 September
• Associate Professor will discuss the barriers preventing ‘meaningful dialogue’ between Islam and the West
• Lecture will provide an introduction to Islam, and explore inter-faith dialogue and harmony between Islam and the West

A prominent Muslim community leader in Australia will present a free lecture at Bathurst Public Library on the importance of building bridges between Islam and the West as part of Charles Sturt University’s (Charles Sturt) ‘Exploration Series’.

The lecture, titled ‘Islam-West; building bridges in challenging times’, will be presented by Associate Professor Mehmet Ozalp, who is a director and lecturer in theology, philosophy and history at the Charles Sturt Centre for Islamic Studies and Civilisation and editor-in-chief of the Australian Journal of Islamic Studies.

The lecture is open to the public and Professor Ozalp encourages anyone looking to gain a better understanding of Islam, and those from Bathurst’s Islamic community, to attend.

“I will provide a brief introduction to Islam and discuss the importance of not only building bridges between Islam and the West in these challenging times, but also address the barriers that stand before a meaningful dialogue and collaboration,” he said.

“I am pleased to be presenting this lecture in Bathurst as the dual problem of Muslim radicalisation and far-right supremacists pose a threat to our harmonious society.

“I look forward to answering the audience’s questions and conversing with them on this occasion.”

The lecture is from 6pm to 8pm on Tuesday 17 September at Bathurst Public Library, 70-78 Keppel Street, Bathurst.

Registrations for the event are available online via the Eventbrite website, and light refreshments will be served before the lecture.

The lecture is part of the Charles Sturt’s ‘Exploration Series’ which is part of the Community-University Partnership program and aims to engage the University’s rural and regional partners in matters of significance.