Saeed A. Khan is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Near East and Asian Studies at Wayne State University. He teaches Islamic and Middle East history, politics and culture, and is a Fellow at the Center for the Study of Citizenship. He is also Adjunct Professor in Islamic Studies at the University of Detroit-Mercy and at Rochester College, co-teaching a course on Muslim-Christian Diversity.

Religion in politics is the most crucial issue facing Middle East countries. The region faces challenges for the application of modernity in terms of secularism, especially in a locale where democracy and individualism have had generally little latitude as a whole. This is due partly from its history, and where many use religion to justify their authoritarian political systems. Could technological advances have an impact and at what pace? This presentation for those 50 and over will explore the always-changing landscape of the Middle East as a religion, politics and technology compete, clash and coexist.

This is the first in OLLI’S distinguished lecture series for 2019-20. A total of ten lectures are presented covering a variety of topics. Lectures are held on Tuesday mornings once each month.