Thursday, September 24

Pervez Musharraf
Former President of Pakistan

Time magazine described President Musharraf as having “the most dangerous job in the world” when he served at the helm of Pakistan from 2001-2008. He survived two assassination attempts; rooted out militants in his own government; helped direct countless raids against Al Qaeda and tracked Osama Bin Laden with technical and human intelligence.

From the start of his presidency, Musharraf sought to make democracy less dysfunctional in Pakistan. He empowered his people at the grassroots level through a local government system that did not previously exist. Women gained reserve seats at every tier of the Parliament. Multiple private TV channels emerged for the first time in the nation’s history and electronic and print media began operating independently of the government.

After the September 11, 2001 attacks, the U.S. sought Musharraf’s support to fight the Taliban and he proved to be one of America’s greatest allies.

Musharraf traveled extensively as president and met with prominent leaders. The international interaction crystallized his views and perceptions of key world issues and led to his “strategy of an Enlightened Moderation” that captured the imagination of western cultures in particular and was adopted by the Islamic World for Enlightened Moderation.

His memoir, In the Line of Fire, chronicles his struggles for security and the political future of his nation. It is a nation that he still believes can be transformed into a progressive, moderate, prosperous Islamic state. This evening Musharraf will articulate his views of enlightened moderation in this political hot spot.

Location

Mendel Center, Lake Michigan College
2755 East Napier, Benton Harbor, MI 49022
Google Maps

Upton Hall Members

Doors open 5 p.m. (Michigan time)
Dinner 6:15 p.m.
Speaker introductions 7:20 p.m.

Mainstage Auditorium Members

Doors open 6 p.m. (Michigan time) for social hour
Speaker introductions 6:55 p.m.