Dr. Jafar Mallahati will speak about “Friendship Among Religions and in World Politics: How Religions Can Help Expand Apology and Forgiveness,” at the Berea College Robbins Peace Lecture on Thursday, Feb. 22 at 3 p.m. in Phelps Stokes Chapel.
Mallahati is the presidential scholar in Islamic Studies at Oberlin College where he also holds the Nancy Schrom Dye Chair in Middle East and North African Studies. Mallahati received a BA in Economics from the National University in Tehran, Iran; a BS in Civil Engineering from the University of Kansas; an MS in Political Economy from the University of Oregon; and a Ph. D. from McGill University. For two years Mallahati served as Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations where he worked to end the eight-year Iran-Iraq war, gaining experience in conflict resolution and international relations.
He has served as senior scholar and affiliate with several academic and religious institutions focused on international relations, including the Middle East Institute, the Center for Strategic and International Affairs, and Search for Common Ground (all in Washington D.C.) and has taught graduate courses at Colombia, Princeton, Yale and Georgetown.
This Robbins Peace Lecture is sponsored by the Willis D. Weatherford Jr. Campus Christian Center as part of the annual Robbins Peace Emphasis each year. The Earl G. and Sue D. Robbins Peace Lecture occurs in the Berea College Convocation Series. Former Berea College student Earl G. Robbins established this lectureship on peace in 1988, stating that at Berea College, he had learned “what is important in life,” the true humanity “of all of us.” Robbins intentionally instituted this program with a connection to the Campus Christian Center because of his experience as a student.
“While I was a student at Berea, the Chapel programs were the most stimulating, ideal-building facets of the entire educational program,” Robbins said.
The convocation events, which are provided free to both the campus and public communities, are a significant part of a student’s educational experience at Berea College. Visit the Convocations website for the schedule of all convocations this academic year.