MuslimByChoice - The Problem of Evil - ( Sami's Opening Statement - 1 of 4 )

How do Muslims explain evil and suffering in the world?Representing the Muslim perspective was Sami Zaatari: Sami has been involved in Islamic Apologetics in the past 6 years and has taken parts in public debates in both the UK and the US.He runs two websties, Muslim - Responses.com and I Love Muhammad.com both of which have received hundred of thousands of hits.He also launched the honor the prophet Muhammad campaign in response to Draw Muhammad day which have received so far over 300,000 member on Facebook.He has written hundreds of articles defending IslamHe is a member of the Muslim Dawah Initiative its formed of members from the Muslim community with experience in public speaking, apologetics, polemics, research and community work.He runs the website www.muslim-responses.comRepresenting the Atheist/Agnostic side was Farhan Qureshi; Farhan was born and raised in United States of America to the Ahmaddiyah community, at the age of 17 citing Inconsistencies in the Ahmddiyah tradition and spiritual experiences at a Sunni Masjid.Farhan converted in Sunni Islam, Farhan would primarily involve himself in Dawah work and debate with Qadyanis defending the doctrine of finality of prophethood but expand his aim to Christian after qadyani he knew convert to Christianity namely Nabeel Qureshi, who we are told no there is no relation, the two would engage in what would be for both their first debate in 2006, after 10 years of practicing Sunni Islam in 2011, Farhan left Islam all together due to his struggle with the doctrine of Hell and Evil.Farhan claims to be an agnostic and claims to maintain a positive attitude towards Islam and Muslims saying that It's a beautiful wisdom tradition but no longer believe that Islam is the ultimate reality behind our existence, currently Farhan works in mental healthy and has done so for four years.Farhan attends a Unitarian Universalisim Congregation in Washington DC that consists of Atheists, Humanists, Agnostics and Theists, while maintaining his position an agnostic he is also learning eastern spirituality from buddhist monk and hindu guru, Farhan continues to engage in debates and speak at campuses, churches and radio programs against exclusivity doctrines particularly Christian and Muslim exclusivity claims.Farhan also advocates spirituality to non atheists, example of this his engagement with Atheist crowds at skeptic camp DC held at the University of Maryland on the topic of Spirituality and Skepticism, a debate with a senior pastor of the cross valley chapel in Frederick Maryland, on the doctrine of Hell on WFMD radio, and has planned upcoming agreed debates with Christian and Muslim Apologists in United States, Farhan is also a contributor to Faithfreedom International where he writes articles on topics related to Islam.The Topic of Debate: The Problem of EvilSami Zaatarivs.Farhan Qureshi(Toynebee Hall, East London, UK January 19th, 2012)