FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Oct. 21, 2011
Contact: Corbett Estes
(662) 329-7119
cme@muw.edu

International Series highlights World Religions and Interfaith Dialogue

COLUMBUS, Miss. – This year’s International Series at Mississippi University for Women focuses on World Religions and Interfaith Dialogue. The series covers basic introductions to various religions ranging from Hinduism to orthodox Christianity.

On Tuesday, Oct. 25, there will be a showing of the film “Freemont, U.S.A.” at 7 p.m. in Martin Hall, Room 220. The film profiles the city of Freemont, Calif., where Hindus, Buddhists, Muslims and Christians live peacefully side by side until their cooperation is threatened when a Muslim woman is murdered in the wake of 9/11.

Dr. Kim Whitehead, co-director of the Series, said “In our increasingly diverse communities, and as MUW seeks to internationalize, interfaith understanding is more important than ever. In this year's series, audiences can learn about the world's major religions directly from practitioners of the faiths themselves and can participate in constructive dialogue across religious lines.”

Another event is planned for the fall semester. Dr. Linda Campany will speak on Zen Buddhism on Tuesday, Nov. 15 at 7 p.m. in Martin Hall Room 220. Three events are scheduled for the spring. Dates and times for the spring semester events will be announced later. Topics and speakers include Judaism by Dr. Bonnie Oppenheimer, orthodox Christianity by Dr. George Pinchuk and Islam by Dr. Rani Sullivan.

The International Series will also highlight and celebrate World Interfaith Harmony Week, which focuses on harmony between all people regardless of their faith. It is the first week of February of every year. The International Series will mark the event with a panel discussion featuring local representatives of five religious traditions titled “Overcoming Violence: An Interfaith Conversation."

The International Series is sponsored financially by the National Endowment for the Humanities through the Mississippi Humanities Council and cosponsored by the College of Arts and Sciences, the Office of Student Life, the Hearin Leadership Program and the Department of Languages, Literature, and Philosophy.

For more information about the International Series, contact Dr. Whitehead at kwhitehead@as.muw.eduor Dr. Deborah Miranda at dmiranda@nsgslp.muw.edu.