Travels Journeys

C-SPAN’S Campaign 2008 Bus makes a stop at Chautauqua, Page 2 The Chautauquan Daily Vo l u m e CXXXII, Is s u e 41 The Official Newspaper of the Chautauqua Institution | Thursday, August 7, 2008 Ch a u t a u q u a , Ne w Yo r k 50¢ Patel brings message of service, dialogue International by Natalie Sowa Staff writer

Eboo Patel’s life is about travels journeys. His latest journey will bring him to Chautauqua CSO travels to Persia to discuss his experiences as an American Muslim and the with music inspired creation of the Interfaith Youth Core. He will speak at 10:45 a.m. today at the Amphitheater. by Shahnameh Through his lecture en- titled “Acts of Faith,” Patel Patel will explain that “building an interfaith youth movement is one of the most vi- cording to the IFYC’s Web site. Patel explained that the tal causes of our time.” He success of the Core is built said that “young people on the idea that “an interfaith need to be at the center and youth movement has to fo- vanguard” of an interfaith cus on the areas on which we movement, just as they are agree on on Earth — shared needed in the human rights values of mercy, of compas- movement, the environmen- sion, of hospitality, of service tal movement and other im- — and ask how we can apply portant social causes. those values together.” Patel is the executive di- The Interfaith Youth Core rector of the Interfaith Youth trains youth around the Core (IFYC), a Chicago-based world to start interfaith proj- organization that “promotes ects, with an emphasis on ser- mutual respect and plural- vice projects based on beliefs ism among people from dif- common to various religious ferent religious traditions by traditions. empowering them to work together to serve others,” ac- See Patel, Page 4 Husband, wife speak on JoAnn Falletta and Behzad Ranjbaran

Story by Matthew E. Campbell | Staff writer Western Muslim identity Photo by Caitlin M. Prarat by Judy Lawrence tween Muslims and the West Staff writer and has been in constant de- Guest conductor JoAnn and entered become an ardent champion of mand as a speaker especially Falletta will present a Persian- the Tehran Ranjbaran’s music. She com- Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf’s since 9/11. flavored program with the Conserva- missioned and gave the world wife, Daisy Khan, will join Khan is currently directing Chautauqua Symphony Or- tory of Music premiere of Seven Passages him at 2 p.m. today in the Hall two cutting-edge programs: chestra at 8:15 p.m. tonight in at age 9. At in 2000 with the Long Beach of Philosophy. Rauf is founder Muslim Leaders of Tomor- the Amphitheater. The pro- age 16, his Symphony Orchestra, and then and CEO and Khan is execu- row, which seeks to empower gram opens with Iranian-born studies were recorded it and the entire “Per- tive director of the American emerging Muslim leaders in Behzad Ranjbaran’s Seven interrupted sian Trilogy” (of which Seven Society for Muslim Advance- North America and Europe; Passages, a work from 2000 in- by several Wolfram Passages is one part) with the ment. The topic of their lecture and Muslim Women Lead- spired by Shahnameh: The Per- months in a London Symphony Orchestra. is the de- ers’ Forum, sian Book of Kings, an epic poem political pris- Seven Passages was also per- velopment an annual made up of tens of thousands on, prompting him to decide to formed this past March by the of the West- international Gof couplets that is to Iran what leave Iran, which he did a few Philadelphia Orchestra. ern Muslim forum for the The Iliad is to the West. The years later in 1977. He moved Ranjbaran’s music has identity. development program also includes Rim- to the United States, studying many champions: Joshua Bell R a u f by Muslim sky-Korsakov’s beloved Sche- at Indiana University before gave the world premiere of his is Imam women of herazade, based on One Thou- earning a doctorate in com- violin concerto in 2003, and of Masjid strategies for sand and One Nights, another position at Juilliard, where he pianist Jean-Yves Thibaudet Al-Farah Rauf Khan the advance- keystone of Persian literature. was classmate to Falletta and and the Atlanta Symphony Mosque in Pianist William Wolfram will played the violin in an orches- Orchestra under Robert Spano ment of their rights. join the orchestra in a sidestep tra under Falletta when she premiered his piano concerto New York City, the mosque Together, Khan and her hus- to Hungary with Liszt’s Piano was a fledgling conducting this past June. closest to the site of the former band mentor young Muslims Concerto No. 1 in E-flat major. student. World Trade Center, where he on the challenges of cultural Ranjbaran was born in 1955 Over the years, Falletta has See international, Page 4 preaches a message of peace assimilation and reconciling Muslim and Western Identity. and understanding between people. He has dedicated his life to building bridges be- See Rauf, Page 4 CLSC author explores violations, struggles with Ten Commandments in America by Rebecca Black in the commandments that is spondent for Atheists. When not writing But readers should not Staff writer vitally important to making newspapers books, he is a senior fellow think the issues raised are human communities func- like The New with The Nation Institute limited to the examples in The Ten Commandments tion,” he said, “which is why York Times and a columnist for “Truth- the book. are evident in some form in I thought they were and are for 20 years dig,” a political blog. “I think all of us, if we’re almost every major religion the perfect lens with which and as an Losing Moses on the Free- honest, have at one point in — including the Egyptian one can look at themselves a graduate way takes each command- our life, for a certain period Book of the Dead — and and the society around them, of Harvard ment in turn and gives at of time, been completely keep communities together Hedges which is what I set out to do D i v i n i t y least one extreme example, consumed and dominated in a way that legal systems in my book.” sometimes from Hedges’ and controlled and ob- School, Hedges also has cannot, said author and Hedges is the author of life, of how violating the sessed by one of the viola- written several books about journalist Chris Hedges. Losing Moses on the Free- commandment can con- tions raised by one of the He will speak on the way: The 10 Commandments the spiritual meaning of sume a person’s life. commandments, and often meaning of the Ten Com- in America, which is this war. War Is a Force That Gives He uses a decorated Viet- times it’s a violation we mandments and their im- week’s featured book for Us Meaning was a best-sell- nam War veteran to demon- did not seek, it’s a violation portance to people at 3:30 the Chautauqua Literary & er. His most recent books strate You Shall Not Kill; a that was visited upon us,” p.m. today at the Hall of Scientific Circle. are Collateral Damage: Amer- follower of the band Phish Hedges said. Philosophy. Combining his back- ica’s War Against Iraqi Civil- illustrates the second com- “There is something with- grounds as a war corre- ians and I Don’t Believe in mandment against false idols. See hedges, Page 4

Today’s Weather Reason for ‘Teenage A stitch in research love’ time HIGH: 74° LOW: 60° Voice students ‘Midsummer’ The inspiration take a critical actors explore behind the Class Scattered T-Storms PRECIP: 30% look into a immaturity, of 2008 banner different era. dependence Page 5 Friday’s Weather Page 6 and hormones HIGH: 67° Page 10 LOW: 59° Isolated T-Storms PRECIP: 30% Page 4 The Chautauquan Daily Thursday, August 7, 2008 from page one

international — was so strong that years the rehearsals and will attend all things in between in this Patel “deep respectfulness of the FROM PAGE 1 later it would become part of tonight’s CSO performance of concerto,” Wolfram said. “It FROM PAGE 1 other person’s differences, Seven Passages. Seven Passages. offers a tremendous variety: which might in fact be mu- Although Shahnameh is a Ranjbaran’s presence has it has a lot of physicality, a lot tually exclusive from your Falletta performs Ranjba- An important compo- national book and holds great been exciting to Falletta. of flashy technique and very own faith.” ran’s music frequently. Last significance for Iran, Ranjba- “The closest I can get to the nent of the Core is its annu- Patel earned a doctor- intimate, beautiful melodies. al Day of Interfaith Youth weekend, she conducted the ran appreciates it because it’s creative process is to work with ate in sociology of religion I think for the audience it has Service. These events, entire Persian Trilogy with the a great piece of literature and composers on their work,” she from Oxford University as a menu that’s very varied and which are held at over 30 Toronto Symphony Orches- its author, the poet Ferdowsi, said. “That’s very exciting for a Rhodes scholar. He is fea- satisfying.” sites around the world, tra to celebrate Shahnameh’s was a master of imagination. me because having a live com- tured in the “On Faith” blog Wolfram has worked many combine community ser- 1,000th anniversary, according “My approach to this book poser there and having him series which is co-hosted by times with Falletta, who is ex- vice projects with interfaith to The Toronto Star. The concert is strictly from the literary want to try different things, or Newsweek magazine and cited to collaborate with him dialogue. Patel said that also coincided with the Sev- merit … the dramatic nature be present and be able to actu- The Washington Post, and in tonight’s concert. the diversity of the Days enth Biennial Conference of and the wealth of character in ally tell us what he was think- has written for The Chicago of Interfaith Youth Service the International Society for those stories,” Ranjbaran said. ing or what he would like … “Bill is one of my favorite Tribune, National Public Ra- is something of which he’s Iranian Studies. That perfor- “If it was written in Indian or that’s thrilling, because we are pianists,” Falletta said. “He’s Harvard Divinity Bulle- extremely proud. dio, mance included Ranjbaran’s English, I would have had the then part of his creative pro- really a powerhouse. He’s a This year, he said, half tin and The Journal of Muslim music, a traditional dramatic same response to these won- cess, and that for me is some- big guy, strong, incredibly dra- a dozen Days of Interfaith Law and Culture. He serves narrator from Tehran and Per- derful stories.” thing that I love.” matic on the piano. He’s a very Youth Service took place in on the Religious Advisory sian miniatures, small book- The stories occupy a central Although Ranjbaran is well physical, visceral pianist.” countries outside of North Committee of the Council size paintings that illustrated place in Ranjbaran’s child- acquainted with the music of Wolfram has performed America, in countries such on Foreign Relations and the fantastic images described hood. In the summers, his Iran, he composes in a Western with orchestras across the as Iraq, Jordan, and North- the National Committee in epic poems like Shahnameh. family would travel from Teh- idiom, with no Iranian instru- United States, including those ern Ireland. These nations, of the Aga Khan Founda- The art form peaked between ran to the small villages where ments to be found in the scor- of San Francisco, Baltimore and known for their religious tion USA, and is an Ashoka the 13th and 16th centuries. his father was born and where ing of Seven Passages. Iranian St. Louis, and abroad with the tensions, have each been Fellow. He was featured in In Seven Passages, a lav- the legends of Shahnameh were classical or traditional music Royal Scott ish Nat ional Orches- the base of an event led by Islamica Magazine as one of ishly orchestrated 13-minute part of the cultural fabric. is rich and centuries old, and tra and the Warsaw, Moscow youth to bring different the leading young Muslim work, Ranjbaran took his in- “In the summertime, in the Ranjbaran didn’t feel a need and Budapest philharmonics. religious factions togeth- visionaries in America. His spiration from Rostam’s seven evenings, because the air was to translate it from traditional He has recorded two discs of er under a common goal book, Acts of Faith: The Story trials. In this part of Shahnameh, hot, we would take the beds Iranian instruments to the Liszt’s solo piano music for of service and dialogue. of an American Muslim, the the hero Rostam undertakes a into the back yard, which was Western orchestra. However, Naxos, and collaborated with “There’s a huge energy in Struggle for the Soul of a Gen- perilous quest to save his king, a beautiful garden surrounded he says his music is a “fine the July 31 CSO soloist, violinist those places for this kind eration, is an engaging, in- fighting witches, dragons and by jasmine and roses. As we fabric of these elements,” and telligent examination of the Philippe Quint, in recordings of work, and we’re getting demons along the way. slept at night, I would stare at it contains some of the color, power of youth movements of Corigliano and Rózsa. to that energy.” For Ranjbaran growing up the stars, really brilliant stars, melodies and ornamentation and an inspiring reflection The program concludes In any pluralistic move- in Iran in the 1950s and ’60s, millions of them in the sky, characteristic of Iranian music. on his own journey of faith. the fantastic stories in Shah- with Rimsky-Korsakov’s col- ment, the challenge of surrounded by the aroma of Seven Passages, he says, could maintaining the integrity “My visit to Chautauqua nameh were incredibly inspir- orful Scheherazade, a work jasmine and roses. So to me, not have been written by a of each religious tradition, is the first talk of our fiscal ing and enthralled him. From filled with solos that will allow that experience is always pres- composer not of Iran. while creating an atmo- year, which begins in Au- an early age, he knew that he ent in my music.” Shahnameh serves a func- the CSO musicians chances to sphere of acceptance, is gust,” Patel said. He hopes wanted to be a composer and As a young boy, Ranjbaran tion similar to that of Western shine individually. The work daunting. Patel explained that his lecture will encour- write music inspired by those believed the stories. He recalls fables: to pass down lessons isn’t narrative or programmat- that the IFYC kept a bal- age advocates to spread the stories. He heard the stories, nighttime vigils, waiting and from generation to generation. ic, although several themes ance by focusing on “mutu- message of interfaith coop- which mix history with leg- watching for the genies and While Seven Passages focuses belong to characters. Accord- ally enriching conversation eration beyond the walls end, but didn’t start reading fairies to come down from the on a remarkable hero’s valiant ing to the story, Scheherazade instead of mutually exclu- of the Institution. “With the massive work until he was mountains as the locals said. efforts, Ranjbaran notes that (represented by a recurring sive conversation.” an audience that is already 10, when his mother won a He also remembers stand- common people who perform melody on the solo violin) has While he noted that oriented to being interfaith copy of the book. ing on the rooftop, staring good deeds are unsung he- just married the Sultan (rep- there are “profound theo- advocates, I hope to pro- “I still have that [copy],” said roes. Seven Passages, he says, at the Alborz Mountains in resented by the stern theme logical differences” be- vide that audience with Ranjbaran, now in his early northern Iran, hoping to catch is a “tribute” to them. heard at the beginning of the tween faiths, “it’s not the stories and inspiration and 50s. “It’s about 650 pages, and a glimpse of Simurgh (the After “Seven Passages,” work), who, jaded by an un- only thing to talk about.” maybe some insights that on the cover of that book was phoenix), who lived there, ac- Falletta and the CSO with Wol- faithful wife, tends to execute Part of the success of the will help them become in- an incredibly dramatic picture cording to Shahnameh. fram will travel to Hungary Core is in encouraging a terfaith advocates.” of the main hero, Rostam, in Ranjbaran worked with for Liszt’s first piano concerto. his wives the morning after battle with the White Demon. Falletta on the recording of Wolfram loves the variety in marrying them. Scheherazade That picture had a profound the Persian Trilogy and was the concerto, which ranges tells the Sultan fascinating sto- impact on me.” in Toronto for the perfor- from moments of bravura to ries to postpone her execution, The impact of the image of mance on Aug. 2. Accompa- great delicacy. until finally, after 1,001 nights’ the fight with the White De- nied by his family, Ranjbaran “There’s great extroversion worth of stories, the Sultan demon — one of Rostam’s trials also came to Chautauqua for and great introversion and cides not to kill her.

hedges about it. For each of the com- rauf ganization, she said. “There are FROM PAGE 1 mandments, he chose people FROM PAGE 1 so many people who are seek- whose battles were not obvi- ing. I had that spiritual DNA ous ones, like using a con- He found the inspiration pushing me to look for it. Other The Chautauquan Daily victed murder for You Shall Chautauqua audiences will to write the book shortly after people don’t have that tradi- Not Kill would have been. be familiar with Rauf from Celebrating 132 Years of Continuous Publication returning to New York City tion, and then they start seeing The Chautauquan Daily Online: http://daily.ciweb.org “I wanted to unearth the his many lectures here as well from covering the conflicts as his involvement with the these images (from Iran and ambiguity, the complex- Editorial Staff in the former Yugoslavia for Department of Religion Advi- other militant Islamic groups) ity that I think these is- Matt Ewalt Editor The New York Times. He had sory Council. Born in Kuwait, and it’s very traumatic.” sues raise in ordinary life,” Mary Lee Talbot Office Manager told The Times he would no he was educated in England She hopes to help young Susan Huber Copy Editor Hedges said. longer cover conflicts, but and Malaysia, and earned a Muslim leaders achieve some Megan Rozsa Copy Editor He also wanted to show Marion Calvert editorial Assistant said he still felt broken and degree in physics from Co- balance between Muslim faith that the commandments Kristin Baldwin Sacred Song services, Chautauqua Choir, unable to build a career. lumbia University. and the modern world. “Can massey and Tallman organs were not just a Judeo-Chris- He saw an ad in the Khan was born in Kashmir you be a corporate executive Rebecca Black Chautauqua Literary & Scientific Circle, tian or Islamic phenomenon Writers’ Center newspaper for a 10-part in the northern tip of India. and be religious?” she asked. film series by Polish film- by arguing that the com- Matthew E. Campbell Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra, Logan The translation of the name of “Can you be faithful to your Chamber Music Series, College Club maker Krzysztof Kieslows- mandments deal with the the town where she grew up is religion and be equally faithful George Cooper Archives ki called “The Decalogue,” human condition in all its Katy Doll Visual Arts at Chautauqua Institution “Paradise on earth,” she said. to your country?” Khan asked. a classical name for the variations. Born in a Muslim home and (VACI), Bookstore “The beauty is America allows Bethany Furkin opera, Children’s School Ten Commandments, and The book does not ad- raised in that tradition, Khan this,” she answered. Lori Humphreys Chautauqua Women’s Club, Contemporary watched each one. dress the possibility of an was sent to a Catholic school Issues Forum “They absolutely were eleventh commandment, run by Irish nuns and Hindu Khan developed the Mus- Beverly Hazen Bird, Tree & Garden Club devastating pieces of cin- but Hedges might consid- professors. Many of her friends lim Women’s Forum because Lindsey Kennedy Development, Lincoln Ethics Series, Middle Muslim women were “get- east Update, Afternoon Conversations ema, in that Kieslowski er adding the Beatitudes were Sikh. When she landed in Judy Lawrence religion Department grasped or struggled to from Jesus’ Sermon on the United States at age 15, she ting blue in the face explain- Meghan McNamara Dance Program, Institution Administration, grasp those deep fun- the Mount. They are more lived in a predominantly Jew- ing that Islam has given rights Board of Trustees, Property Owners damental issues that the Association about explaining the com- ish community. to women in the scriptures. Alice O’Grady morning Lectures commandments grappled mandments than adding a She always had an interest This didn’t convince people Jeff Russ recreation and Sports with,” Hedges said. new one, Hedges said. in all religions and was taught because of the images they Joan Solomon Morning Worship Natalie Sowa Boys’ and Girls’ Club, Youth Activities Kieslowski’s fictional “I love the Beatitudes,” to honor people with different saw.” Finally she and other take on people’s violations Center, Smith Memorial Library he said. “I think they are traditions, she said. It was a very Muslim women began think- Anna Sudar School of Music, Young Readers Program and struggles with each of very wise and an important multi-religious childhood. “As ing, “maybe we don’t need to Sara Toth Chautauqua Theater Company, Friends of the Ten Commandments Theater, Family Entertainment Series vision of how one can or a Muslim woman, when I had defend ourselves; maybe we inspired Hedges to write a to greet an older person who Roger Coda Photographer should lead a life.” need to look at ourselves.” Abigail S. Fisher Photographer nonfiction account. wasn’t Muslim, I had to greet For all there is to learn Muslim women are grap- Elizabeth Myers Photographer He was further inspired from the Ten Command- them in their greeting,” Khan Caitlin Prarat Photographer to write Losing Moses on the pling with different issues from ments, Hedges said he wants said, not the Muslim one. Freeway by his belief that country to country, she said, the audience to realize that Once in the United States, understanding ethics and and the idea was to create an PRODUCTION STAFF there are many ways to fall Khan found it difficult to un- religious insight can only institutionalized voice for Mus- Raymond Downey Production Manager prey to idolatry, which is es- derstand what was happening Kristina Deckert Design Editor come through experience. lim women grounded in Islam- sentially worship of the self back in the Middle East. “The Nichole Frye Design Editor “I think that so much ic law, she said. The Women’s Molly Huff Design Editor through devotion to fame, Iranian Revolution unfolding of the wisdom of great re- in my living room was trau- Jordan Steves Design Editor status, power or other self- Forum hopes “to tackle issues ligious writing needs that matic for me,” she said. “Even serving ends. of importance to women and BUSINESS OFFICE confrontation, not only with though you have a childhood “A society that devolves any men who want to come Melissa Long Advertising Manager reality but perhaps with the grounding is not to say it all along with us.” Khan said. “But Kristin Kondrlik Advertising Assistant worst that human society into individuals who en- Jordan Nicholson Circulation Manager was easy,” she added. we need to take the lead.” has to offer,” he said. gage in unchecked self- Her experience was of a very Allison Baggiano Classifieds Manager worship — and there are Julie Alfa Business Manager Finding the real-life ex- tolerant religion. She was living Nancy Cummings Business Manager amples for the book was the powerful engines in a with her young uncle and aunt, hardest part of writing it for consumer society pushing and they had no answers for him, however. It took weeks people to do this — shat- her. “My true journey of seek- Business Telephone...... (716) 357-6206 for him to find people who ter human community,” ing began there,” Khan said. Advertising Telephone...... (716) 357-6206 had not only suffered deeply he said, “create frighten- Gradually, after eight years Circulation Telephone ...... (716) 357-6235 as a result of one of the com- ing forms of alienation and Fax Number...... (716) 357-9694 without a religion, Khan began Editorial Telephone...... (716) 357-6205 or 357-6330 mandments, but also were despair and ultimately de- to find her way back to Islam. E-mail Address...... [email protected] self-reflective and critical stroy themselves.” But she realized the trauma being felt by the younger people Published by Chautauqua Institution, P.O. Box 1095, Chautauqua, N.Y. 14722, daily, Monday through Saturday, for a period of nine weeks, June in this country. This was one of 21 through August 23, 2008. The Institution is a not-for-profit organiza- Cameras/Recording Equipment the reasons she started the or- tion, incorporated and chartered under the laws of the state of New York.

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