The series will begin on Wednesday, April 9, 7 PM with a discussion of The Arabian Night , edited by Muhsin Mahdi, translated by Husain Haddawy. Please join Marlboro scholar and Professor of Religious Studies, Amer Latif, in a journey through the literature of Islam.
The evening reading and discussion series will focus on five books. The Arabian Nights (anonymous), edited by Muhsin Mahdi, translated by Husain Haddawy; The Conference of the Birds by Farid al-Din Attar, translated by Dick Davis and Afkham Darbandi; Snow by Orhan Pamuk, translated by Maureen Freely; Dreams of Trespass by Fatima Mernissi; and Minaret by Leila Aboulela. Islam has long provided a source of inspiration through which Muslims experience, understand, and guide their everyday lives.
The readings for this theme can be seen as literary reflections on Muslim piety and communal concepts such as ethics, governance, knowledge, and identity. Each one reveals transformations in faith and identity, as Muslims living at different times and in different places have interpreted Islamic traditions to meet their distinctive cultural realities and spiritual needs.
The series will continue with the following readings and dates. Books are available at the Library’s circulation desk.
4/23/14 The Conference of the Birds by Farid al-Din Attar, translated by Dick Davis and Afkham Darbandi
5/14/14 Snow by Orhan Pamuk, translated by Maureen Freely
5/28/14 Dreams of Trespass by Fatima Mernissi
6/11/14 Minaret by Leila Aboulela
Sponsored by the Vermont Humanities Council and partially funded by the Friends of Brooks Memorial Library.
Location Brooks Library Meeting Room. Contact Jerry Carbone 802-254-5290 jerry@brookslibraryvt.org
