Almost 1400 years after the Prophet Muhammad first articulated God's law - the shari'a - its earthly interpreters are still arguing over what it means. Hardliners reduce it to amputations, veiling and holy war. Others say that it is humanity's only guarantee of a just society.

Travelling the Islamic world, the human rights barrister and prize-winning writer, Sadakat Kadri, takes us on a journey through Islam's past and present. In Pakistan's madrasas, stern scholars ridicule human rights and demand explanations for NATO drone attacks in Afghanistan. In Iran, he hears that God is forgiving enough to subsidise sex-change operations but requires the execution of Muslims who change religion.

Kadri finds that the promise of a perfect social order can be compelling. But when human beings attempt to apply divine justice, they risk creating not a heaven on earth - but something much closer to hell.

Date: 29 Feb 2012
Time: 6.45pm
Venue: Asia House, 63 New Cavendish Street, London
W1G 7LP
Speaker: Sadakat Kadri

£10 Non-members
£8 Concessions
£6 Asia House Friends

Booking required. Please visit http://asiahouse.org/exhibitions-and-events/detail?id=42 for details for booking online or by phone.