Panel Discussion on “Contemporary Politics in current Scenario” On: 9th August 2016 (Tuesday), at Lamakaan, Banjara Hills. Time: 5:00pm to 7:00pm Panelist: Dr. Ram Puniyani, Writer and Activist Mr. Mir Ayoob Ali Khan, Senior Journalist Mr. Mohd Ahsan Abid, IAS

Context: Not a day passes when the media does not report the excesses and the exceptional brutalities of the so-called Islamic State. We all have read about how the terror outfit has beheaded, incinerated, maimed and even thrown off innocent people, non-combatants, and combatants off buildings in their wave of intolerance and terrorism.

Their trail of destruction has not excluded Muslims - Shiite or Sunni - and people of other faiths. The tentacles of terror, it appears, have reached all corners of the globe with it claiming responsibility for various acts of terror.

But what exactly is the so-called Islamic State? What is its dangerous ideology? Does this ideology have anything to do with Islam, as the outfit claims? It the so-called Islamic State a product of dangerously flawed geo-politics in the Middle East which has various actors including Western countries?

And in the Indian context, is the threat of the so-called Islamic State real or is it a tool used by investigation agencies to create a fear in the minds and hearts of the Muslim community?

The general understanding in the Muslim community is that the number who have joined the terrorist organisation are infinitesimal. And while the numbers of those who have tried to join the outfit from the country indeed are minuscule, is there an intangible, non-quantifiable threat which Muslims are unable to comprehend? One which has created dangerous stereotypes and unleashed a wave of Islamophobia, which is worse than what was witnessed post the 9/11?

These and many more questions remain unanswered. Indeed, the continue to plague both Muslims and people of other faiths alike.

But what is a reality is that the so-called Islamic State exists and its sympathisers exist.

So how do we, the citizens of this country, Hindu, Muslim, Christian, Sikh and Budhhist, deal with this?

We invite you to a talk with eminent panelists including journalists, academicians and other experts to attempt to understand the so-called Islamic State and to seek to evolve responses to counter the terrorist organisation. It is time that people of all faiths and denominations come forwards to counter the IS.