The Digital Islamic Studies Curriculum (DISC) is pleased to partner with the University Musical Society (UMS) to present “Investigating Islam: A Community Forum” on Friday, February 17 from 2:00-4:00 pm in the Gallery of U-M’s Hatcher Graduate Library. The forum will explore the diverse experiences of Muslims in America at a time of increasing Islamophobia. Faculty panelists and cast members from Beyond Sacred: Voices of Muslim Identity will speak about their own experiences, peering into issues through an artistic lens.
DISC director and professor of political science Pauline Jones will moderate the panel, which includes: Kadin Herring and Amir Khafagy, Beyond Sacred cast members; Mohammad Khalil, associate professor of religious studies, Michigan State University; and Rudolph (Butch) Ware, associate professor of history, U-M. Pauline Jones says of the event, “Our intention is to highlight the role that particular media projects such as Beyond Sacred and music and the arts in general can play in constructing positive images of Muslims, fostering dialogue, and countering Islamophobia.” The panel will be live-streamed, with the link posted at http://digitalislam.umich.edu.
On Saturday, February 18 at 8:00 pm, UMS presents Ping Chong + Company’s interview-based theater production, Beyond Sacred: Voices of Muslim Identity. Ping Chong will deliver a lecture in the Penny Stamps Distinguished Speaker series on February 16, and the “Investigating Islam” forum on February 17 will be an opportunity to engage the campus community around this notable visit. The forum and Penny Stamps lecture are free and open to the public. For Beyond Sacred ticket information, call 734.764.2538 or visit http://ums.org.
February 16, 5:00 pm, Michigan Theater, 603 E. Liberty
Ping Chong: Beyond Sacred, Penny Stamps Distinguished Speaker
February 17, 2:00 pm, Hatcher Gallery, 913 S. University
Investigating Islam: A Community Forum, DISC Symposium
February 18, 8:00 pm, Power Center, 121 Fletcher
Beyond Sacred: Voices of Muslim Identity, Ping Chong + Company
The Digital Islamic Studies Curriculum (DISC) combines the expertise in Islamic studies across the Big Ten Academic Alliance institutions to provide students with a truly global perspective on Islam and the Muslim world via blended and synchronous learning environments. DISC is funded by a generous grant from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation and administered by the Islamic Studies Program at the University of Michigan International Institute. For more information, visit http://digitalislam.umich.edu.
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Contact: Rachel Brichta | 734.615.8910 | rfacey@umich.edu