On Wednesday, January 15^th, 2014, An-Najah National University hosted the Australian intellectual Waleed Ali, in an open meeting on the Islamic community in Australia, and the relationship between Islam and the west.

Before the meeting, Mr.Ali was received by Dr. Sami Jaber, Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Maher AbuZant, Vice President for Community Affairs, Dr. Sam Fuqaha, Director of Public Relations Department at An-Najah University, and Mr. Tom Wilson, the Australian Representative in Palestine.

Dr. Jaber welcomed the guests and introduced an overview on the University and the most important developments it has underwent over the past years.

In the open meeting, Dr. Fuqaha welcomed the Australian Representative and Mr. Waleed Ali, and gave an introduction on the life and work of Mr. Ali.

The Australian representative thanked An-Najah University for hosting the famous intellectual who has already visited many Middle Eastern countries at the invitation of the Australian government to talk about his unique experience in Australia as a Muslim young man of an Arabic origin who lives in Australia and was able to have a successful life. Wilson added that Ali is an academician, a political commentator, and a famous writer in Australia, who has written many important books and is teaching political sciences at Monash University, and was elected one of the 500 most influential Muslims in the world.

Wilson also talked about the strong relationship between the city of Nablus and the Australian government, and how the latter supports many projects in the city.

Mr. Ali talked about the relationship between the Muslim population in Australia and the Australian people and government, and how Islam is perceived there. Furthermore, he talked about the minorities of Islam and other religions that live in Australia; their traditions and customs and indicated that Muslims in Australia enjoy their total freedom and rights there.

Mr. Ali also addressed the post-World War II period; when immigration to Australia started, as he also talked about the other communities that live there. In addition, he talked about the cultural differences between the older generation and the new generation in the application of Islam, as he noted that the younger generations who were born in Australia and live there practice Islam in a way that differs from that the older generations use to do.

He also talked about the 2.2% Muslim population of the 23 Million people of Australia, indicating that the relationship between Islam and the West is not the same in all Western countries, and that in Australia, it is a relationship of mutual respect and respect of other religions where all cultures, customs, and traditions are respected.

A number of the University staff, representatives of community institutions, and school students attended the meeting and joined the discussion, and Mr. Ali answered their questions and enquiries.