Reed, Silk and Ink: The Art of Arabic Calligraphy

Saint Xavier University invites the community to celebrate Arab Heritage Month with three special events during November at its Chicago campus, 3700 W. 103rd St. All events are free and open to the public, organized and sponsored by the SXU Middle Eastern Studies Program.

Irtijalat: Middle Eastern Music Improvisations

Noon to 1 p.m., Mon., Nov. 8, SXU Diner Atrium in the Warde Academic Center
Experience the unique sounds of Wanees Zarour and Majed Abu Ajamiyeh, who will be performing musical improvisations and dialogue on the oud, buzuq, qanun, some of the Arab world's major instruments, and percussion. This event is co-sponsored by SXU's Department of Music.

Reed, Silk and Ink: The Art of Arabic Calligraphy
3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., Mon., Nov. 8, Butler Reception Room in the Warde Academic Center
Decorative writing, or calligraphy, is one of the highest art forms in the Arab world. Majed Abu Ajamiyeh, an instructor of Arabic Calligraphy at the American Islamic college, will demonstrate the use of the reed pen (boussa) with ink used by professional calligraphers. He will focus on the Thuluth styles of Arabic Calligraphy; a style that emerged in the 11th century. This event is co-sponsored by SXU's Department of Art and Design.

Toward a New Paradigm of Inter-faith Dialogue: Looking at the Middle East through the Three Abrahamic Religions
5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., Mon., Nov. 15, Butler Reception Room in the Warde Academic Center
The Rev. Don Wagner will explore variety of approaches that seek new directions in interfaith relations for the three Abrahamic religions.
Wagner is the research professor of Interfaith and Peace Studies at Eastern Mennonite University in Harrisonburg, Va.  From 1995 to 2010 He was a professor at North Park University in Chicago and Director of the Center for Middle Eastern Studies from 1995 to 2010. He is co-founder of Bridges of Faith, a coalition of Evangelical Christian and Muslim leaders who have held four interfaith dialogue conferences since 2007.
Wagner is the author of "Anxious for Armageddon," which explores the influence of some Christian perspectives on Middle East Politics, and "Dying in the Land of Promise: Palestine and Palestinian Christianity from Pentecost - 2000."

For more information, please contact SXU Middle Eastern Studies Program Director Iman Saca, Ph.D., at (773) 298-3554 or saca@sxu.edu.