Muslims, Latter-day Saints and Our Democratic Faith

Event description

Academic events
Free
Inclusion
Open to the public

What is the relationship between being a person of faith and a faithful American? What are the values and principles that shape American culture, and how do religious traditions reinforce or challenge them? At a time when democracy is under severe strain, how can Americans shore up their faith in democracy?

This moderated conversation brings together members of Muslim and Latter-day Saint communities to explore how religious traditions can strengthen civic life. Like Catholics and Jews before them, these communities have moved significantly from the margins to the mainstream in recent years. Through their stories of struggle and resilience, they also offer distinctive reasons for affirming democratic ideals. Please join us for this timely and hopeful dialogue about faith and democracy in America.

This event is a partnership among the Center for the Study of Religion and Conflict, Center of Muslim Experience in the United States and the Tempe Institute of Religion. Made possible by the generous support of the Robert Bellah Legacy Group.

About the speakers

Headshot of Jeff Flake
Ambassador Jeff Flake
Director, Institute of Politics
Arizona State University

Jeff Flake is the director of the Institute of Politics at Arizona State University and Chairman of World Trade Center Utah. He recently served as U.S. Ambassador to Türkiye, where he played a pivotal role in securing Sweden’s accession to NATO. In 2025, he was knighted by the Swedish government with the Royal Order of the Polar Star for his diplomatic leadership. He previously represented Arizona in the U.S. Senate (2013–2019) and House of Representatives (2001–2013), and earlier led the Goldwater Institute and the Foundation for Democracy in Namibia. His book, Conscience of a Conservative: A Rejection of Destructive Politics and a Return to Principle, is a New York Times bestseller.

Headshot of Salam Al-Marayati
Salam Al-Marayati

President and Co-Founder

Muslim Public Affairs Council

Salam Al-Marayati, president and co-founder of the Muslim Public Affairs Council, is nationally recognized for advancing public understanding of Islam and policies affecting American Muslims. An expert on Islam in the West, human rights, democracy and national security, he has spoken at the White House, Capitol Hill and international conferences. His writings have appeared in major outlets, including The New York Times, Wall Street Journal and the Washington Post. He is frequently featured as a specialist on national and international news networks such as CNN, Fox News and C-SPAN.

Moderators

John Carlson
Associate Professor of Religious Studies
Director, Center for the Study of Religion and Conflict

Yasmin Saikia
Hardt-Nickachos Chair in Peace Studies
Co-Director, Center of Muslim Experience in the U.S.
Professor of History

Jason Olson
Director and Instructor, Tempe Institute of Religion
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Logistics

This event is hosted by the Center for the Study of Religion and Conflict and will take place on the ASU Tempe campus at the Tempe Institute of Religion, and will be available to view virtually via Zoom Webinar. Registration is required to attend this event, so whether you plan to participate through the webinar or by attending in person, we appreciate you taking a moment to register by selecting the corresponding button above.

For in-person attendees, your confirmation email will provide detailed directions to the venue, including parking information. The Tempe Institute of Religion is graciously providing free parking for event attendees in their garage located directly north of the building on a first-come basis, available as early as 4:45 p.m. on November 13. The event will consist of a conversation featuring Ambassador Jeff Flake and Salam Al-Marayati, as well as audience Q&A—submitted through question cards or email—following the formal conversation. A reception offering light refreshments will be served.

This will be a positive, peace-promoting dialogue that people of all faiths and traditions are encouraged to attend.