Three specialists in the Islamic religion and culture spoke Saturday, March 29 on the subject of “Jihad and Justice.” This event was presented by Muslims Intent on Learning and Activism.

DU’s Dr. Liyakat Takim along with Dr. Jerald Dirks and Imam Ibraheem Kazerooni were chosen to address the MILA audience.

The speakers opened the event, which was followed by a break for prayer for Muslims and anyone else who wanted to pray. Afterward, a question-and-answer session with the speakers wrapped up the affair.

Dirks was the first to speak, addressing “The Limits of Jihad as War-Guidance from the Qur’an and Hadith.” Dirks talked about the laws of war according to the religion of Islam within the Qur’an.

He said that Islam is a religion of peace, but not of complete pacifism. When Muslims are attacked for no reason, they act in self-defense.

There are, however, many acts of violence that are performed by Muslims today that go against their religion, he said.

Takim spoke second on the topic of “Justice, Jihad, and Martyrdom in Islam.” He said that the Qur’an is there to provide a just social order.

He said that Muslims do not say, “I believe in God,” they say, “I bare witness for God.” Muslims also establish a relationship with God, he said.

In order to be a martyr, one must experience the truth of God. He said every part of a Muslim’s life is supposed to be part of Islam.

Kazerooni spoke about “Jihad as a Model for Social Justice,” explaining the positive societal impacts of the Islamic religion within Islam.

The event was designed to benefit not only for the attendees who did not know much about Islam and Jihad, but also the audience knowledgeable on these subjects and the members of MILA.