What Is An Institute?

After nearly a decade of research and soul-searching, in May 2020, at the outset of the pandemic, City Club officially launched the Highland Institute for the Advancement of Humanity.

Webster defines an Institute as “A society or organization founded for a religious, educational, social, or similar purpose.” My definition of an institute has evolved to include a safe place, or a Securus Locus, to discuss and debate difficult, complex, but important topics that can help pave the way for human evolution.

Last week, City Club member Matt Query and I discussed and analyzed the current Israel and Hamas war, how Hezbollah and Iran fit into this equation, and China and Russia's role. Many of you responded positively and supported our efforts to address this complex situation. However, we did receive an anonymous comment stating my quote of the Koran was not accurate, compelling Matt Query to respond by saying: It is a relatively well-known Hadith, with Al-Bukhari (famous 9th century Hadith scholar) attributing it to Ibn ‘Umar, who was one of Muhammad’s companions. Responding to Matt’s comment, another member offered: “Al-Bukhari is synonymous with Islam. While it’s accurate that the quote is not from the Koran, it is a standard teaching all over the Islamic world.”

The point I am trying to make is that because we all have blind spots, and we don’t know what we don’t know, none of us has a corner on reality, and reading a few headlines here and there does not make one an expert. Hence, deploying the Socratic method and Jeffersonian Dialog is imperative to learn more.

With the Middle East in the early stages of another generational war, we must learn more about Islam and its Shia and Sunni sects, the root causes of the historical animosity between Muslims and Jews, Persians and Arabs, and why Iranians call America The Big Satan.

In 1953, America financed a coup d’état in Iran to remove the democratically elected Mosaddegh and bring back the Shah. In 1979, President Jimmy Carter, thinking that Ayatollah Khomeini could be an Islamic Gandhi, helped depose the Shah. It is time for America to own its mistakes, assist the Iranians in removing the current Ayatollahs from power, and help Saudi Arabia and Israel heal a centuries-old civilizational wound.

Although this may not be The Solution, we are at least talking about one. An Institute is a place to discuss these topics, so please feel free to add your voice.

— Sina.