Dr Eamonn Butler,
Director of the Adam Smith Institute
Daud Pidcock, Author and Islamic Economist.
Professor Michael Mainelli, Director, Z/Yen Group Limited

 

"An admirable new organisation called Dialogue with Islam has had the idea of getting mainstream writers to debate the issues that concern the Muslim population - but on their own doorstep, rather than in the newspapers."
Dominic Lawson (The Independent 4/8/2006)

  

Next Event : Thursday 2nd October, 2008
 
 

'Credit Crunch...or Crunch time for Capitalism?'



Thursday 2nd October, 2008 - 7.00 pm

The "Global Credit Crunch" and subsequent wider financial crisis is the subject of much speculation. The queues outside branches of Northern Rock Bank were a startling site to many, but we were assured this was no more than a cyclical problem and that global markets were resilient. However, with the US government now ready to bail out the mortgage giants "Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac" to the tune of tens of billions of US dollars people are questioning how robust the system really is. And now Lehman Brothers, the fourth-largest US investment bank, has filed for bankruptcy protection, dealing yet another blow to the fragile global financial system.

Is this merely a temporary difficulty caused by bad US mortgage lending?

Or are we witnessing a landmark revelation of inherent weakness in the Capitalist system itself?

If so, what does Islam have to say on this subject?

Join our dialogue between Islamic Economics expert Daud Pidcock and Dr Eamonn Butler, Director of the Adam Smith Institute.

Venue:

The Toynbee Hall,
28 Commercial Street, London E1 6LS

For further information and reservation-
Email: dialogue_with_islam@yahoo.co.uk
http://www.dialoguewithislam.org

Admission: £3.00 if reserved in advance or £5.00 at the door.

Nearest Station: Aldgate East

Seating is limited. Please book in advance via email or phone to avoid disappointment.

Speakers Profile:

Daud Pidcock is currently the resident director for India of Collins [UK] Ltd liaising in the development of Clean-Coal power plants for India. He takes a particular interest in Islamic Banking. Mr. Pidcock assisted Dr. Mahathir; the Prime Minister of Malaysia in providing the means of avoiding the worst effects the Asian monetary crisis. He was also invited to participate in the United Nations World Congress – Chairing the Session entitled: “putting ethics back into accounting”. Finally Mr. Pidcock follows a long line of British family members who first came to India in 1840. His Great, Great, Grandfather Henry Thomas being seconded by the East India Company.

Dr Eamonn Butler is director of the Adam Smith Institute, an influential think-tank that for more than twenty y ears was at the leading edge of UK privatization, including the sale of state enterprises. Dr Butler's work on social and economic issues has taken him all over the world as a lecturer and consultant. Dr Butler also worked on pensions and welfare issues for the US House of Representatives in Washington DC. He has degrees in philosophy, economics and psychology, and is author of a number of books including his latest book: "The Best Book on the Market"

  
 
Comments from Previous Guests:
 

 

I found the discussion very illuminating, and I would recommend others attending. You want to make clear, as you did the other night, that Dialogue with Islam is free standing, is not a front for any other group... I thought the audience was the best part of the evening: it is true that some were hostile, but by and large they seemed willing to listen to my answers patiently and respectfully and that is all anyone can ask of any audience...
Good luck with your work. You were very kind to have us over to your event. I enjoyed it and I enjoyed meeting you.

Philip C Bobbitt (Former US Director for Intelligence)

Philip C Bobbitt was invited to speak on "The 'War on Terror': Does it make Sense?".

 


 

I think the debate was of a high standard-- all participants had clearly thought deeply about the matter. My only regret was that I did not appreciate at the time that Professor Dawud's remark about the projected oil pipeline through Afghanistan is part of a conspiracy theory which is designed to suggest that 9/11 was all part of an American plot. Had I worked that out at the time, I would have denounced it as being on the same level as Israelis who say that the bombing of the children at Qana was a Hizbollah conspiracy. But that is my fault for not being sharp enough!

Dominic Lawson (columnist of The Independent newspaper)

Dominic Lawson was invited to speak on "Muslim Grievances: Real or Percieved?".

  


 

I greatly enjoyed the meeting. The audience were combative not hostile. All credit must go the organisers as dialogue of this kind is essential in all our interests. A slightly longer time might have been useful as the dialogue had only just begun and there were several people anxious to contribute with question or statements.

Sir Malcolm Rifkind (former British Foreign Secretary)

Sir Malcolm Rifkind was invited to speak on "War On Terror: Winning Hearts and Minds".

  


 

For more comments from previous guests

To join the Dialogue With Islam emailing list please send an email to:

dialogue_with_islam@yahoo.co.uk

Previous Event:

to download Quick time movie of the debate. (35Mb)

 

Topical Links:

BBC Survey Article

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