Khalaf Ahmad Al Habtoor, Chairman of the Al Habtoor Group, an international conglomerate based in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), has invited former U.S. President Jimmy Carter to join him on the campus of Illinois College to announce a peace initiative for the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict Resolution. The initiative, known as ‘Pathways to Peace’, will be launched at Illinois College on Tuesday, October 14, 2014.
Al Habtoor said, “I am honored to be joined by U.S. President Carter to initiate Pathways to Peace, a proposal drafted by Illinois College based on my thoughts and hopes for lasting peace. It is a realistic attempt to find a solution for an ongoing conflict that affects the Middle East and the West.”
Al Habtoor and President Carter have had an ongoing relationship encouraging peace in the Middle East through their respective foundations, the Khalaf Ahmad Al Habtoor Foundation (KAHF) and The Carter Center.
As part of launching the initiative, President Carter will deliver a Phi Alpha Lecture at Al Habtoor’s request. This will take place at 1:15 p.m. in Sherman Gymnasium inside the Bruner Fitness and Recreation Center. Following the speech, there will be a panel discussion moderated by Illinois College Provost Elizabeth Tobin, involving Al Habtoor, President Carter and former Congressman Paul Findley.
Al Habtoor became a friend of Illinois College through his work with Congressman Findley, a 1943 graduate, and received an honorary doctorate from the college in 2010. Findley, who served in the U.S. Congress for 22 years, is a staunch supporter of Middle East peace, and has authored several books including ‘They Dare to Speak Out.”
President Carter will also receive an honorary degree from Illinois College. The 39th U.S. President served from 1977 to 1981, and was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002 for his decades of untiring efforts to find peaceful solutions to international conflicts, to advance democracy and human rights, and to promote economic and social development. He has written 28 books including A Call to Action: Women, Religion, Violence, and Power, released in April.
The event is open to the public, no tickets necessary. Doors will open at noon and due to added security guests are encouraged to arrive early. Parking shuttles will be available from Lincoln Avenue Baptist Church located at the corner of Morton Avenue and Lincoln Avenue just south of the Illinois College campus.