Distinguished Turkish journalist and author Mustafa Akyol recently completed a month-long book tour in the United States. From October 24, 2013, to November 24, 2013, Akyol delivered lectures and keynote speeches and offered book signing events in 17 American cities throughout the Southwest and West Coast regions of the United States.
Mustafa Akyol is a prominent Turkish political commentator and author based in Istanbul, Turkey. Akyol writes op-eds and columns regularly for The International New York Times, Hurriyet Daily News, Al-Monitor and Star. He has a TED Talk and appears frequently on various Turkish political discussion shows, in addition to Fareed Zakaria’s GPS on CNN and Hardtalk on BBC. Akyol has also spoken at prominent think tanks and research institutions such as the Council on Foreign Relations, Brookings Institution, Heritage Foundation, Mont Pelerin Society, Cato Institute, Acton Institute, Discovery Institute, Mises Institute and many universities around the world.
Akyol’s tour serves to promote his latest book, entitled Islam without Extremes: A Muslim Case for Liberty, which was published in July 2011. This book has received international acclaim and was long-listed for the 2012 Lioner Gelber Prize.
During his U.S. tour, Akyol visited the Utah Branch of the Pacifica Institute in Salt Lake City on November 11 to deliver a keynote address during its Annual Dinner at the Marriot City Center. This event was attended by many distinguished guests, including President Pro Tempore of the Idaho State Senate Brent Hill; Utah State Senators Gene Devis and Jim Dabakis; and Utah State Representatives Lynn Hemingway and Eric Hutchings. Pacifica Institute President Ibrahim Barlas was also in attendance.
During his keynote, Akyol discussed many of the themes discussed in Islam without Extremes. He argued that true Islam is a universal religion free from violence, terror, coercion and autocracy, and one that allows individuals to freely practice their beliefs—a tradition that he believes was best exemplified by the Ottomans. Akyol also discussed the contributions of the Hizmet Movement and its numerous schools, dorms, universities, hospitals, aid organizations and media outlets worldwide that have embraced all of humanity irrespective of faith, language, race or gender. Akyol closed by thanking the Pacifica Institute for its valuable efforts in this regard.
