Reinhardt College in Waleska, Ga., is continuing its “Year of”
series with events focusing on the Middle East, the region from
Iran to Egypt to Turkey. From September 2006 to April of 2007,
the small United Methodist college in northwestern Cherokee
County will host programs centering on Middle Eastern peoples,
cultures, geography and history, and the public is invited to
take part.
The decision
was made on this year’s focus on almost three years ago.
Associate Professor of Religion and Philosophy Dr. Curtis
G. Lindquist is spearheading the college-wide Year of Middle
East committee, and he feels this study is particularly timely.
“For decades the events of the Middle East have been front-page
news, and yet so many of us still do not understand the history,
cultures and people involved,” said “Our committee sees this
emphasis as a way to help our students, faculty, staff and the
community gain a better understanding of this incredibly complex
region.”
Lindquist wants to encourage the public to join Reinhardt
students, faculty and staff for the Year of Middle East kick-off
event on Sept. 12, 2006. The Rev. Dr. Fahed Abu-Ake will present
“A Palestinian Arab Israeli Christian Journey of Faith” at 2
p.m. in the Falany Performing Arts Center concert hall. The
speaker is the son of Christian Palestinian-Arab parents who is
now a Presbyterian pastor. As one very involved in church and
community activities, as well as local, national, and
international organizations related to the Middle East, he has
received numerous accolades including an Arab-American Community
of Georgia Award, a clergy award from the National Conference of
Christians and Jews, and a Peace Making Award from the Greater
Atlanta Presbytery. He is also founder and executive director of
Atlanta Ministry with International Students, Inc.
On Sept. 27, 2006, a panel discussion on Islam will include
the editor of a Muslim magazine and the Arab desk editor from
CNN. “Additional participants, as well as other details, are
still being finalized,” said Lindquist, “and this promises to be
an enlightening and interesting gathering.”
On Oct. 18, 2006, Dr. Jeffrey Halper, an Israeli-American who
is the coordinating director of the Israeli Committee Against
House Demolitions, will lead several activities. A former
professor at Ben Gurion University in southern Israel, he has
been nominated for this year’s Nobel Peace Prize. An
internationally acclaimed speaker, he also serves on the
steering committee of the UN Conference on the Inalienable
Rights of the Palestinian People. His book, Obstacles to Peace:
A Reframing of the Palestinian-Israeli Conflict, will also be
the focus of a book discussion this fall.
On Nov. 9, 2006, Jay Hakes, the director of the Carter Center
Library in Atlanta, Ga., and a former Assistant Secretary of
Energy, will speak on ""Reliance on Persian Gulf Oil and the
Challenges of Modern Energy Policy.”
Other fall events include a film series, a visit by a Muslim
actress and playwrite from Atlanta, Ga., and a presentation on
different Muslim movements. In the spring, the College’s annual
Wesley Lecture will feature the Rev. Sandra Olewine, a United
Methodist missionary who has worked with the Palestinians in
Bethlehem for the past 10 years. Dates and times for these
activities will be announced.
Lindquist is enthusiastic about the educational outreach
provided by the College’s Year of Middle East events. “These
activities will be varied, exciting and informative,” he said.
“We sincerely hope to help our community understand a region
that will impact the U.S. for generations to come.”
For more information, please see the college web site:
www.reinhardt.edu.
With an enrollment of almost 1100 students, Reinhardt College is
a four-year liberal arts institution with a residential Main
Campus in Cherokee County (Ga.) and an off campus center in
Alpharetta, Ga. Affiliated with The United Methodist Church,
Reinhardt offers 34 programs of study ranging from business,
communications and education to liberal arts, psychology and
music. Since its founding in 1883, the institution has focused
on being “the way college should be” by meeting needs one
student at a time. For more information, please contact
Reinhardt at 770-720-5526 or 1-87-REINHARDT or see the College
website at www.reinhardt.edu.
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