Thursday, 02-10-2005

Muslims in China Today (Part 2 of Beyond Islam: Understanding the Muslim World)

Nearly 30 million Muslims make their home in China. From the Turkic-speaking Uighurs to
Chinese-speaking Hui Muslims, China’s Muslim population is far from united. Join Stevan
Harrell, Professor of Anthropology at the University of Washington, for a stimulating look at the history, geography, and culture of Muslim groups in China and a brief exploration of their
complex relationships with the Han majority. A presentation on teaching resources will follow.


About Beyond Islam: Understanding the Muslim World

The United States’ interests in the Muslim world are too great to allow the chasm developing between the peoples of the Muslim and non-Muslim world to grow. While it certainly could be argued that Americans knew too little about the Muslim world before September 11, 2001, the events of that day had a profound effect, for the worse, on Americans’ understanding of the Muslim world today. Americans went from having little knowledge to too much knowledge of fringe extremists. Mainstream Americans continue to lack a basic understanding about the everyday lives of mainstream Muslims living in countries like China, Malaysia, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Tajikistan, and Uzebekistan.

Thanks to a grant from the United States Institute on Peace, the World Affairs Council is partnering with the UW Jackson School of International Studies Outreach Centers, and FIUTS to provide an in-depth look at Muslim culture throughout Asia. The programs will be held at the UW.

Other Beyond Islam programs include:
Cultural Islam in Central Asia (January 20)
Islam and Politics in Malaysia (March 24)
Islam, Asia, Modernity (May 5)

Note: Teachers who complete all four sessions will receive a special certificate for their commitment to understanding the Muslim world.


UW CAMPUS MAP
http://www.washington.edu/home/maps

The Mechanical Engineering Building is located near the Student Union Building (HUB) on the east side of Stevens Way, next to Loew Hall. Sessions will be held in MEB Room 246.