Rosa Parks-style Activism Comes to Pacific - Author and Muslim Feminist Activist Asra Nomani
September 30, 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
DeRosa University Center
What: Asra Nomani delivers the 2009 Colliver Lecture
When: Doors open at 6:30 p.m., the event will start at 7:00 p.m. on Sept. 30, 2009
Where: DeRosa University Center Ballroom
Cost: Free and open to the public.
Description: On Sept. 30, Asra Nomani, a Georgetown University Professor, an activist for Muslim reform, and an Islamic feminist, will deliver the Colliver Lecture on Pacific's campus. Nomani's inspiration stems from her struggles with her mosque in West Virginia, where she became the first woman to insist on the right to pray among males in a main hall. The New York Times has claimed that Nomani's actions were "Rosa Parks-style activism."
Nomani is the author of two books, "Standing Alone in Mecca: An American Woman's Struggle for the Soul of Islam," and "Tantrika: Traveling the Road of Divine Love." Publishers Weekly stated, "Through memorable personal narrative, Nomani gently instructs readers about Islam and her role as a woman in it."
Nomani said that University of the Pacific is an appropriate forum for the topic, because in 1871 the University became the first independent co-ed campus in California.
"You are pioneers, advocating for education, critical thinking and social justice, at times when others didn't hear the call," said Asra Nomani. "I am honored to share with you my story of working to open doors for women in our Muslim communities. Ours is a universal struggle for progress. Thank you for the invitation to walk through the doors of your campus. I feel as if I will be among kindred spirits."
On Sept. 28 Nomani's PBS Film "The Mosque in Morgantown," will be shown at 7 p.m. in the Pacific Theatre. At 6:30 p.m. Sept. 30 the doors will open to the DeRosa University Center Ballroom and at 7 p.m. Nomani will deliver the Colliver Lecture.
Today she advocates for all women, in the United States and Worldwide, on such issues as equality, social and economic justice, and domestic abuse. While delivering the annual Colliver Lecture, she will cover such issues and what the community can do to help.
"Islam is the fastest growing religion in America. The gender issues Asra raises from within the religious community affect thousands of people, Muslim and non-Muslim alike," stated Alan Lenzi, the Assistant Professor of Hebrew Bible and Ancient Near East for Pacific. "Her drive for reform is something of a case study in how a traditional religion can adapt to modern ideals. We are sure Asra will challenge the audience and provoke a healthy conversation about the future of women in American Islam."
Pacific will preview her PBS film, "The Mosque in Morgantown," in the Pacific Theatre at 7 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 28. On Wednesday, Sept. 30, at 6:30 p.m. the doors of the DeRosa University Center Ballroom will be open and Nomani, will talk about her experiences advocating for gender equality in Islam, at 7 p.m.
For more information about the Colliver Lecture, please contact Alan Lenzi at 209.946.2292.
