259 MTSU GUEST LECTURER TO EXPLAIN SHI’ITE ACTIVITY IN IRAQ

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Feb. 1, 2008
EDITORIAL CONTACT: Gina Logue, 615-898-5081

MTSU GUEST LECTURER TO EXPLAIN SHI’ITE ACTIVITY IN IRAQ
Middle East Expert to Put Culture and Beliefs of Islamic Faction into Context

(MURFREESBORO) – Dr. Juan R.I. Cole, the Richard P. Mitchell Distinguished University Professor of History at the University of Michigan, will speak on “The Millennium in Pursuit: Shi’ite Opposition to the U.S. in Iraq” at 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 11, in the State Farm Lecture Hall of MTSU’s Business and Aerospace Building.
Cole, a recent past president of the Middle East Studies Association, is a leading expert on Egypt, Iran, Iraq and South Asia, particularly 19th century history and studies of Shi’ite Islam and the Baha’i faith. His books include Sacred Space and Holy War: The Politics, Culture and History of Shi’ite Islam (2002) and Napoleon’s Egypt: Invading the Middle East (2007).
In addition to his academic work, Cole plays an active role in public policy debates. Frequently, he appears as a guest on “The News Hour with Jim Lehrer” on PBS and contributes op-ed columns for The Nation, Salon.com, Tikkun, The Guardian, The Daily Star (Beirut) and other media outlets. Cole also maintains a popular blog, Informed Consent, in which he reflects on current issues related to Middle East politics, religion and the war on terror.
The lecture, which is sponsored by MTSU’s Middle East Center, is free and open to the public. Copies of Cole’s books will be available for signing.
For more information, contact Dr. Allen Hibbard, director of the Middle East Center at 615-494-7906 or 615-494-8809, or send an e-mail to ahibbard@mtsu.edu.

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ATTENTION, MEDIA: For a color jpeg photo of Dr. Juan R.I. Cole, contact Gina Logue in the Office of News and Public Affairs at 615-898-5081 or gklogue@mtsu.edu.