Passport to the World

"Sleepless Nights/Wasted Time: Seeking Islam in Egypt's Hollywood"

Professor Joel Gordon will explore the depiction of ‘normative’ religious practices and personal expressions of religious identity in recent Egyptian movies with a particular focus is on Egyptian youth.  Whereas in the past signs of piety had been restricted to either ‘traditional’ Egyptians – often in comic fashion – or political extremists, a few recent films have dared to depict ‘normal’ veiled women and bearded men and even a social environment in which questions of piety, morality and proper behavior dominate the discussions, concerns and conflicts between young Egyptians.  These films may point to a growing willingness by film artists to honestly explore social trends that have been taboo, especially as Egypt enters a new political era.

Prof. Joel Gordon: Professor of History and Director of Middle East Studies, University of Arkansas; Specialist in modern Egyptian history and Arab popular culture; Author of Nasser' Blessed Movement, Revolutionary Melodrama, and Nasser: Hero of the Arab Nation

 
Date:
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Location:
UKAA Auditorium @ WT Young Library

Mina Yazdani “Religious Diversity in Iran”

Not only is the Middle East the birthplace of three of the world’s great religions, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, but it is also home to other less well-known religions.  Dr. Mina Yazdani will discuss Iran and its ties to the lesser known religions, Zoroastrianism, and the Baha’i Faith, and the mystical interpretation of Islam, Sufism.

Dr. Yazdani is an Assistant Professor in the Department of History at Eastern Kentucky University.  She received her Ph.D. from the Department of Near and Middle Eastern Civilizations at the University of Toronto.  Her thesis was entitled, Religious Contentions in Modern Iran, 1881-1941.”  Her current research interests focus on Modern Iran and the Islamic World.  She has published widely in both English and Persian.

Date:
Location:
UKAA Auditorium @ W.T. Young Library

Mina Yazdani “Religious Diversity in Iran”

Not only is the Middle East the birthplace of three of the world’s great religions, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, but it is also home to other less well-known religions.  Dr. Mina Yazdani will discuss Iran and its ties to the lesser known religions, Zoroastrianism, and the Baha’i Faith, and the mystical interpretation of Islam, Sufism.

Dr. Yazdani is an Assistant Professor in the Department of History at Eastern Kentucky University.  She received her Ph.D. from the Department of Near and Middle Eastern Civilizations at the University of Toronto.  Her thesis was entitled, Religious Contentions in Modern Iran, 1881-1941.”  Her current research interests focus on Modern Iran and the Islamic World.  She has published widely in both English and Persian.

Date:
Location:
UKAA Auditorium @ W.T. Young Library

Mina Yazdani “Religious Diversity in Iran”

Not only is the Middle East the birthplace of three of the world’s great religions, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, but it is also home to other less well-known religions.  Dr. Mina Yazdani will discuss Iran and its ties to the lesser known religions, Zoroastrianism, and the Baha’i Faith, and the mystical interpretation of Islam, Sufism.

Dr. Yazdani is an Assistant Professor in the Department of History at Eastern Kentucky University.  She received her Ph.D. from the Department of Near and Middle Eastern Civilizations at the University of Toronto.  Her thesis was entitled, Religious Contentions in Modern Iran, 1881-1941.”  Her current research interests focus on Modern Iran and the Islamic World.  She has published widely in both English and Persian.

Date:
Location:
UKAA Auditorium @ W.T. Young Library