University of Redlands Library Receives Grant for Muslim History

The University of Redlands Armacost Library is among 125 libraries and state humanities councils selected to receive a grant for Let’s Talk About It: Muslim Journeys, a scholar-led reading and discussion project made possible by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities in cooperation with the American Library Association. This grant was awarded to the University of Redlands Armacost Library in partnership with the A.K. Smiley Library, Campus and Diversity and Inclusion at the University of Redlands and the Redlands Peace Academy. This grant is an extension of the Muslim Journeys Bookshelf, a grant the University of Redlands Armacost Library had received earlier this year. As a previous awardee, the University was eligible to apply for additional grant funding. Among the more than 900 grant recipients, only 125 received the Let’s Talk About It: Muslim Journeys grant. The University of Redlands chose the Points of View theme, which focuses on contemporary stories set in Muslim-majority societies that engage matters highly relevant to today’s political and social concerns. Activities such as movie screenings and book discussions will be open to the public at the University of Redlands campus and other locations in Redlands and around the Inland Empire. Participants are encouraged to borrow the books from the A.K. Smiley Library in Redlands before the discussion events. Registration is for these events can be done through library.redlands.edu/muslimjourneys. The book-based discussion sessions will be held at A.K. Smiley Assembly Room, from 2 to 4 p.m. Facilitated discussion will be conducted by Dr. Patrick Wing, assistant professor of history on the following dates: • Saturday, Sept. 28: In the Country of Men • Saturday, Oct. 26: Persepolis • Saturday, Nov. 23: House of Stone • Saturday, Jan. 25, 2014: Broken Verses • Saturday, Feb. 22, 2014: Dreams of Trespass A film series with facilitated discussions will also be held as part of the project. Locations for the series will be at University of Redlands campus (exact room and location are still being determined.) All times are from 7 through 9 p.m. on the following dates: • Thursday, Jan. 23, 2014: My Name is Khan • Thursday, Feb. 6, 2014: Fordson: Faith, Fasting, Football • Thursday, Feb. 20, 2014: Mooz-lum • Thursday, March 20, 2014: Persepolis • Thursday, March 27, 2014: 5 Broken Cameras Additionally, screenings of the HBO documentary Koran By Heart will be held with facilitated discussion by University of Redlands faculty member Dr. Patrick Wing on these dates: • Friday, Oct. 4: Islamic Center of Riverside, 7 through 9 p.m. • Thursday, Oct. 17: University of Redlands, Gregory Hall 161, 7 through 9 p.m. • Wednesday, Oct. 23: Redlands Peace Academy, 7:30 through 9:30 p.m. For more information please contact Melissa Cardenas-Dow at melissa_cardenasdow@redlands.edu or call 909-748-8089.