Imam Mohamad Bashar Arafat lectured at Effat College about

Speaker of The Month Program is a series of lectures organised by the Student Life office at Effat College to inspire the young minds of Effat College's students and to elevate their aspirations.

In his lecture he tackles very sensitive issues related to Muslim current political, economical and social suffering. He made it clear that the key to salvation is the rational faith because deviation from the right path has its negative effects on the suffering that we witness nowadays in humanity, environment and economy.

"Allah has created us in tribes and nations to get acquaintance with each other and He taught us in Quran how to prevent economical crisis" said, Imam Arafat stressing the importance of cultural integrity as opposed to cultural conflict. "The Quran verse in Al-Hujurat chapter that talks about the purpose behind people diversity is the verse of 21st century," he added. Addressing Effat students, he said, "Effat College as being the most progressive college not only in Saudi Arabia but in the entire region, has done the first step, and now it is your turn to move forward and fulfil your dreams"

Dr. Arafat was born in Damascus, Syria and holds a degree in Islamic Studies and Arabic Language and another degree in Islamic Law. He has a PhD in Philosophy and Theology from Trinity College and University. Dr. Imam is the Founder of An-Nur Institute for Islamic Studies and Arabic Language and co-founder of An-Nur Mosque in Maryland. He is also the Founder and President of the Civilizations Exchange and Cooperation Foundation, which provides religious and cultural training, consultation and orientation services for the international exchange students and staff of the U.S. Department of State. Since 1989, he has been heavily involved with interfaith work, both nationally and internationally, promoting better understanding between Muslims and other faiths. In January 2005, Imam Arafat began conducting programs on "Islam in America" through the international Speakers Program of the United States Department of State in Various countries.