Muslim Voices Project Expands Events and Online Content

Since its relaunch in 2018, Muslim Voices has been growing and expanding through various sub-projects and events. Last summer, we launched our “Interfaith/Intercultural Conversations: Broadening Horizons at IU” initiative with a grant from Interfaith America, an independent, Chicago-based organization that has a mission to “inspire, equip, and connect leaders and institutions to unlock the potential of America’s religious diversity.” 

In the first phase of the project, we successfully implemented a “Human Library of Religions” with representatives from different branches of various faiths such as Islam, Judaism, Buddhism, Appalachian Conjuring, Jainism, and Sikhism. Our volunteers answered questions about their belief practices as they were asked by people who were passing by at three different tabling events. This provided an extensive outreach opportunity for the Muslim Voices across campus. We will continue to have more Human Library of Religions booths and workshops on interfaith conversations in the spring.

 

We also organized a panel discussion, “The Hijab as Contested Political Site in Iran and France” with Dr. Carol Ferrara from Emerson College and Dr. Pouya Alimagham from Massachusetts Institute of Technology. They discussed the politicization of the Islamic practice of the headscarf through two contrasting examples: France, where its controversial ban across public spaces keeps gradually increasing, and Iran, where it is mandatory nationwide, sparking protests.

Some of our other accomplishments include the 16 new articles added to our Blog, as well as the re-launch of the Muslim Voices Instagram. This is where we post cultural content and make announcements on symposiums, conferences, lectures and talks about the Muslim World. Stay tuned and make sure to follow us on Social Media for more updates! Thank you to all of our supporters who have helped to make 2022 a great year for the Muslim Voices Public Scholarship Project, we look forward to what 2023 will bring!