http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QvJJxa6pVbYThe Prince Alwaleed bin Talal Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding and the Berkley Center sponsored a seminar with leading scholars to address how tradition matters in Islamic political thought today. The wide-ranging discussion considered how the Islamic tradition - including the Qur'an, the life and sayings of the Prophet, and diverse legal schools - relates to the idea of a liberal democratic state. See the Berkley Center website for more info:
http://berkleycenter.georgetown.edu/Who Speaks For Muslims?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W4A-2baZizQ&feature=relatedLecture at Rumi Forum: Who Speaks For Muslims?
John L. Esposito is University Professor, Professor of Religion and International Affairs, Professor of Islamic Studies and Founding Director of the Prince Alwaleed bin Talal Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding at the Walsh School of Foreign Service, Georgetown University.