MTSU guest lecturer to explore Islamophobia in America

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. -- A visiting lecturer to MTSU will spotlight the issues faced by Muslims in America and why those issues persist.

Caleb Iyer Elfenbein, director of the Center for the Humanities at Grinnell College in Grinnell, Iowa, will speak on "Fear In Your Heart: What Islamophobia Can Tell Us about Public Life in Today's America" at 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 19, in the State Farm Lecture Hall of the Business and Aerospace Building.

Elfenbein, who also is an associate professor of history and religious studies, is primary investigator, editor and contributor to the Mapping Islamophobia Project. It chronicles incidents and events that grow out of Islamophobic attitudes, ranging from anti-Islamic graffiti to acts of violence.

The project also documents Muslims participation in everyday American life, including political activities, interfaith endeavors and community outreach, and juxtaposes them with the hate-driven activities. On the project website, www.mappingislamophobia.org, data about Islamophobic events can be searched by year, gender and type of activity.

Elfenbein contends that American Muslims present a model of civic engagement for others to consider, even though anti-Muslim sentiment is more prevalent than ever in American society.

This event, which is presented by the MTSU Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies, is free and open to the public. For more information, contact the department at 615-898-2907.