Drew Today

Musharraf Reschedules Visit to Drew

The former Pakistani president will now appear on Feb. 9; tickets to postponed lecture will be honored.

MADISON, NJ—Former Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf’s appearance at Drew University, originally to be held on November 1, has been rescheduled for February 9.  His lecture, which is part of the 2011/12 Drew Forum series, was canceled due to a power outage in Madison following the snowstorm in late October.

Musharraf, who will speak at 8:00 p.m. in Drew’s Simon Forum and Athletic Center, served as the tenth president of Pakistan from 1999 to 2008.  His government, which remained in power until his resignation, was an ally of the U.S. in its War on Terror.  Musharraf supported military actions against the Taliban by allowing the United States to use three strategically located Pakistani airbases for Operation Enduring Freedom, the official name of the U.S. government’s war in Afghanistan.  He also denounced terrorism and Islamic extremism from the lectern in several high-profile speeches delivered after the 9/11 attacks.

The Drew Forum has been this region’s leading venue for public lectures since 1994.  This year’s series marks the tenth anniversary of the September 11 attacks on American soil and features speakers with a particular connection to or expertise in terrorism and national security.  Former New Jersey Governor Thomas Kean, who served as the chair of President George W. Bush’s 9/11 Commission, spoke on September 13.  Upcoming lectures will be delivered by foreign affairs analyst Robin Wright on March 21 and former U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates on April 11.

Tickets to Musharraf’s November 1 appearance will be honored at the February 9 event.  Individuals who wish to purchase tickets may do so through the box office, which can be reached at 973/408-3917.  Tickets are $32 and a handling fee will be added to each order.  Parking for the February 9 event will be at Giralda Farms; patrons will be taken to and from the lecture venue by chartered bus.

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Posted: January 30, 2012