A Public Lecture Series Sponsored by the AIC

Begins Monday, March 16
Muslim Multicultural Fair on Sunday, March 29th

Every day in the news Americans see images of strife from the Muslim world. Yet few are familiar with the social fabric of the Muslim world beyond divisions between Sunni and Shi’a. The American Islamic Congress’ Boston Muslim Interfaith Council is organizing a public series on cultural diversity in the Muslim world and within our local Boston community.

Made possible by a grant from the Boston Foundation, the series features panels addressing diversity within a distinct geographic region of the Muslim world and will include a related artistic performance. The series culminates in a multicultural fair, tying together the series’ themes in a dynamic celebration. The program aims to offer a nuanced look at the Muslim world’s complexity and to provide diverse local Muslim communities with a platform to celebrate their heritage.

-Program-

Africa: Muslim Mysticism
Boston University: Sargent College Room 102
Monday, March 16 at 6:30pm
Panelists: Khalid Nouri Luhamidiya, Northeastern; Fallou Ngom, Boston University; Moctar Sakho, Suffolk University; Khalid Kodi, Boston College
Artist: Rambax - Senegalese Drum Ensemble, with special visiting master percussionists
Please reserve your seats today via FACEBOOK or by events@aicongress.org
Profiled in the Boston University Daily Free Press

The Subcontinent: the Splendor of Local Flavor
Harvard Faculty Club
Wednesday, March 18 at 6:30pm
How have Southeast Asian societies created their own unique cultural Muslim identities? What is the future of this region where ethnic and sectarian differences drive political tensions, all in the shadow of nuclear weapons? Will the Subcontinent’s diversity yield even more inflamed divisions or can it inspire reconciliation based on pluralism? A diverse group of panelists from Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, and Bangladesh will explore these questions, with artistic insight offered by up-and-coming singer Arooj Aftab and Stelios Mihas.
Please reserve your seats today via FACEBOOK or by events@aicongress.org

Europe: Rediscovering Muslim Identity
MIT: Landau Building, 66- Room 110
Thursday, March 19 at 6:30pm
European Muslims are increasingly in the spotlight, from North African immigrants to Turkey’s potential EU membership to Muslims in the Balkans and Russia re-examining their identities after decades of Communist rule. What unique Muslim cultural identities have developed Europe, and what is the future for Muslims in Europe: renaissance, radicalism, integration? Panelists from France, Turkey, Bosnia, Russia, and Azerbaijan will explore these questions, with the discussion followed by a performance from the groundbreaking Turkish classical music ensemble Dunya.
Please reserve your seats today via FACEBOOK or by events@aicongress.org

The Near East: the Muslim World’s Original Melting Pot
New England Conservatory: Saint Botolph Hall
Monday, March 23 at 6:30pm
Islam first emerged in the Near East, as did many of the internal schisms that define the Muslim world today. Nearly 14 centuries later, how has Muslim identity evolved in its original melting pot? How are new ideologies spreading out of Arabia today impacting the region’s many local Muslim cultures? Will Near East’s future be more violent sectarian struggles or a renewed mosaic of pluralism? Panelists from Iraq, Egypt, Iran, Morocco, and the UAE will explore these questions, followed by a special performance by acclaimed oud player Walid Zairi.
Please reserve your seats today via FACEBOOK or by events@aicongress.org

The Far East: the Muslim World’s Numeric Heartland
Northeastern University: Richards Hall Room 300
 Wednesday, March 25 at 6:30pm
The Far East is home to more Muslims than any other part of the world, yet this numeric heartland is often written off as peripheral. What unique Muslim cultural fusions developed in the Far East and how did Islam gain such a widespread following there? Can the region offer positive models for the rest of the Muslim world? Panelists from Indonesia and Singapore will address these questions, along with a leading academic expert on Chinese Muslims. Renowned MIT professor Alan Lightman will share the story of how he helped build a mosque in Cambodia, and local artist Nadeem Mazen will share photographs of Ramadan being celebrated in Beijing.
Please reserve your seat today via FACEBOOK or by events@aicongress.org

Boston Bazaar: Muslim Multicultural Fair
Cambridge Community Center
Sunday, March 29 from 1-5pm
Activities: Kite decorating, henna, jewelry making, dance lessons, calligraphy, tie-dye, and many more
Artists: Lamine Toure and Group Saloum, Senegelese funk band; Karin Firoza, Bangladeshi slam poet
For more information visit BOSTONBAZAAR.org
Please register via FACEBOOK or by events@aicongress.org

All events are free and open the public.
Reserve seats today via events@aicongress.org or call 617-266-0080

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