Prisoners of conscience are defined as people who are imprisoned, detained, or otherwise physically restricted because of their political, religious or other conscientiously-held beliefs or because of their origin, sex, color or language and who have not used or advocated violence. We will discuss people who are presently being detained under this definition.

Tue. Sept. 17
Topic: Jihad and the conflict between Islam and Christianity
Guest: M.J.Akbar, founder and editor-in-chief of The Asian Age, a daily newspaper

In his book, The Shade of Swords,Akbar traces the origins of jihad, a holy war against infidels. We will discuss the conflict between Islam and Christianity, which has existed in one form or another for the last fourteen-hundred years and why the Muslim world is fuelled by the perception of injustice and exploitation by the West.

Wed. Sept. 18
Topic: The Doctor Is In – The Importance of Sleep and Dreaming
Guest: Dr. Marc F. Schlosberg, neurologist and sleep medicine specialist at Washington Hospital Center, Washington, DC

Dr. Scholsberg will discuss the latest findings on the importance of dreams. Dreams not only help consolidate memories of the previous day; they can also act as mood regulators and emotional information processing system. The author explores why people who suffer from depression don’t seem to dream.

Thr. Sept. 19
Topic: Speaking American English
Guest: David Burke, author of Slangman

Burke will discuss slang and idioms and the role they play in understanding a language and culture that creates them.Slangman David Burke is the author of 24 books on slang and idioms in 5 different languages.

Fri. Sept. 20
Topic: Iraqi Kurds
Guests: Prof. Carol O'Leary, American University, Washington  Semester Program (Center for Global Peace)  
   Jalal Talabani, General Secretary of the Partiotic  
                   Union of Kurdistan 

The two largest Kurdish parties have announced steps to put aside long-standing differences and create a united front in preparation for a post-Hussein Iraq. Our guests will discuss the role Iraqi Kurds might play if the United States goes to war with Saddam Hussein.