Hewes Library receives Bridging Cultures: Muslim Journeys Grant

Hewes Library, Monmouth College, has received a 2013 Bridging Cultures Bookshelf grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities and the American Library Association on the theme of Muslim Journeys.  The library has received a collection of 25 selected books and 3 videos related to the people, places, history, faith and cultures of Muslims around the world, including those within the United States.  As part of the 2013 Bridging Cultures theme of “Muslim Journeys”, the Monmouth College community has planned the following series of events this Spring 2013 to promote these valuable resources enriching the Hewes Library collection.

Spring 2013 Events

Thursday, January 24, 2013, 7:00 pm

ISLAM 101: What is Islam?

Presenter: Hannah Schell, Professor of Philosophy & Religion, Monmouth College. 

Location: Buchanan Center for the Arts

Professor Schell will introduce Islam to the audience. Her opening presentation will be supplemented by comments from a panel of respondents from Monmouth College, including Mohsin Masood, Associate Dean of Student Affairs, Monmouth College, Farhat Haq, Professor of Political Science, Petra Kuppinger,  Professor of Sociology and Anthropology. Masood & Haq are both Pakistani Muslims who have lived in the United States for many years. Masood has recently established a fund in the U.S. to support Malala, the young female student shot by Taliban extremists for her advocacy of education for females in Pakistan. "Pakistanis in U.S. setting up fund for Malala" Dawn.com /20121011. 

Monday, February 11, 2013, 7:00 pm

ISLAM - AN OLD AMERICAN RELIGION: The long journey from 17/18th century Africa to 21st centuries US cities 
Presenter: Petra Kuppinger, Professor of Sociology and Anthropology, Monmouth College

Location: Hewes Library / Barnes Electronic Classroom

This presentation chronicles the arrival and dynamic existence of Islam in the USA, starting from the arrival of Muslim Africans forced into slavery, to a survey of contemporary Muslim communities and movement in the 21st century. Special focus is given to the difficult period of Muslim religious practices during the era of slavery and the first decades afterward. The second part of the presentation focuses on "new" Muslim movements (e.g. the Nation of Islam) in the early 20th century, and the large scale influx of Muslim immigrants beginning in the 1960s. A central question in the discussion of American Islam is whether or not the two historical experiences (Islam as a slave religious and 20th-century Muslim movements and communities) are connected. 

Wednesday, March 27, 2013, 7:00pm

Film: ISLAMIC ART SPOTS developed by D. Fairchild Ruggles, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Location: Hewes Library / Barnes Electronic Classroom 

The video will be introduced and followed with a discussion led by D. Fairchild Ruggles, the producer of this video. 

Wednesday, April 10, 2013, 7:00 pm – SUFI POETRY READING (National Poetry Month)

Location: Buchanan Center for the Arts

 

Members of the college and Monmouth community will be invited to read selections from Sufi poetry. Coordinated by the Monmouth College Muslim Journeys programming committee. 

 
GREAT DECISIONS 2013 – January 23–March 20, 2013

Meets weekly on Wednesdays, 7:30–9:00pm in the Highlander Room, which is located on

             the upper level of Stockdale Center.  Programs are open to all.

·         January 30 – EGYPT – Petra Kuppinger, discussion leader

·         February 27 – IRAN – Mohsin Masood, discussion leader