Democracy In The Middle East; FilmWeek
Democracy In The Middle East
Is Islam compatible with democracy? This is the central question of a discussion hosted by Larry Mantle at the Islamic Center of Southern California on Vermont Avenue in Los Angeles. As the US works to rebuild Iraq, local and exile leaders are jockeying to form a new government, a democracy. What will it look like? It could be that democracy will mean a theocracy of sorts, or perhaps a mixture of secular and religious representatives from around the nation. Larry Mantle and his guests will discuss democracy in Iraq and also in Iran, the long-standing regional theocracy split internally by a reform movement. Also, is democracy possible in Syria, under Bashar Assad, or in Saudi Arabia, within the House of Saud? And what about democracy in Egypt, with President Hosni Mubarak at the helm? Joining Larry to discuss democracy in the Middle East are Salam Al-Marayati, an American Muslim of Iraqi descent, and the director of the Muslim Public Affairs Council of Los Angeles, Dr. Maher Hathout, spokesman for the Islamic Center of Southern California and Senior Advisor for the Muslim Public Affairs Council of Los Angeles, and Basam Al Husseini, spokesman of the Iraqi American Council, California Chapter.
FilmWeek
Larry Mantle and critics F.X. Feeney of the L.A. Weekly and Jean Oppenheimer of New Times discuss this week's new film releases, including Identity, Confidence, It Runs in the Family, People I Know, City of Ghosts, House of Fools, Japon, Ten, The Real Cancun, and Lawless Heart.
Larry and the critics also found time to talk about this week's videos.