On February 9^th, the University’s American Studies Resource Center organized a lecture under the title “Arabs/Muslims and the American Popular Culture” presented by Dr. Irum Shiekh from the United States Consulate General in Jerusalem. The lecture was held at the Conferences Room at the Old Campus library.

Attendees included Professor Jawad Fatayer, University President Assistant for Graduate Affairs, Dr. Sam AlFoqahaa, Acting Director of the Public Relations Department at the University, Dr. Ayman Nazzal, Director of the American Studies Resource Center, as well as a number of English majors.

At the beginning of the lecture Dr. AlFoqahaa welcomed Dr. Irum and valued her interest in presenting her lecture at the University; he also hoped that the students will find in this lecture a good chance to learn new ideas and knowledge.

Dr. Irum spoke primarily about the history of Arab Muslims in the American popular culture and how the West perceives Arabs. She explained that there is a sort of joint relationship between the West on one hand and Arabs and Muslims on the other. She said that Arabs, like Edward Said (a Palestinian-American literary theorist and advocate for Palestinian rights) have played a significant role in the western history over the years.

Discussion was raised between Dr. Irum and the students at the end of the lecture around the different aspects of the topic she presented; she also answered the attendants’ questions about the topic.