Understanding Islam the Executive Director an Interview with Historian of Islam Keith Lewinstein by David Tebaldi Dear Readers
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Inside: Meeting the Mummy page 3 One Hundred Years of Local History page 4 Humanities Calendar Mass page 8 Recent Grants page 10 HumanitiesA Publication of the Massachusetts Foundation for the Humanities — Spring 2003 A Message from Understanding Islam the Executive Director An Interview with Historian of Islam Keith Lewinstein by David Tebaldi Dear Readers, The board and staff of the MFH are extremely grateful for the response from hortly after the terrorist attacks on September David Tebaldi: The Foundation has received our readers to our Urgent Appeal in the S11, 2001, the Foundation began receiving some criticism for offering a program about the previous issue of Mass Humanities. We calls from libraries asking whether we had any Muslim world at this time. The critics seem received more individual donations, and programs on Islam they could offer their patrons. to think that by promoting a program called more total dollars, than we ever have The answer was “no,” but we immediately “Understanding Islam” we are implying before. Thank you. realized it should be “yes.” MFH that the United States is somehow Many of you sent notes with your Executive Director David Tebaldi responsible for what happened checks, like this one from the member of began meeting with scholars of on September 11, 2001 — a library reading and discussion group in a Islam and the Middle East. that if only we understood small town in Worcester County: With their advice and assis- Islam better, such a horri- tance, “Understanding Is- ble event wouldn’t have In the spring of 2001 our library took advan- lam,” a four-part reading happened. What would tage of the opportunity to participate in the and discussion program, you say to these critics? reading series titled “[The Ends of was developed and piloted Keith Lewinstein: I Civilization:] Taking Stock on the Eve of the at the Middleborough think that such people Millennium” sponsored by the Massachusetts Public Library in the assume that when we Foundation for the Humanities. Approxi- spring of 2002. Begin- use the word “under- mately fifteen readers participated and when ning last September, a standing” in our title, the series ended we decided to continue meet- grant from the United what we really mean is ing. We have done so on a monthly basis ever Way of Massachusetts “excusing” or “apologiz- since and have attracted several new area Bay’s Unity Fund en- ing for.” This is not at readers. abled twelve public li- Historian of Islam Keith Lewinstein all what the program is Your recent newsletter emphasized the braries in the Greater aiming at. What we’re sorry state of affairs regarding funding for arts Boston area to offer the trying to do is promote and humanities programs in Massachusetts. series. The public re- knowledgeable discus- Please accept a small contribution with our sponse has been greater sion rather than polemi- thanks for the important role you play in mak- than that to any other cal attack or apologetic ing such programs as “Taking Stock” available reading and discussion defense. Our approach to groups like ours throughout the state. series developed by the is critical in the best Foundation. We are cur- sense of the word: we A money order for $85 and a person- al check for $20 were enclosed with the rently seeking additional look beyond pat answers letter. Needless to say, this one made our funds to expand the pro- and assertions about day. gram to libraries in other Islam (“Islam is a reli- Unfortunately, however, the crisis parts of the state. gion of peace”, or “Islam continues. We are still a long way from The chief architect of is a religion of war”; closing the gap caused by the devastating “Understanding Islam” is “Islam oppresses wo- cuts in our state funding this year — and Keith Lewinstein, a spe- men”, or “Islam offers the likelihood of further reductions in the cialist in the early history the best means to liber- coming year is high. The public humani- of Islam and currently a ate women”) and try to ties program in Massachusetts is suffering. Visiting Scholar at the understand the variety We need more of you to step up and Center for Middle East- of ways in which Islamic show your support. ern Studies at Harvard teachings have been in- We are unable to meet the demand for our newest reading and discussion University. A gifted The south arch of the Taj Mahal, display- terpreted and used over program, Understanding Islam, due to teacher, Keith is one of ing verses of the Koran done in calligraphy the centuries. insufficient funds. Clearly this kind of our most active and popu- in marble inlay, the work of Amanat DT: Why is this an program is needed now more than ever. lar discussion leaders for Khan, a prominent scholar from Shiraz. important and worth- You can help. the program. He studied while program to be of- Our Clemente Course in the at Berkeley and then at Princeton, where he fering at this time? Humanities — free, college level humani- received a Ph.D. in Near Eastern Studies in KL: Since 9/11 there has been an ongoing pub- ties courses for adults living in or near 1990. He has been awarded numerous prizes lic discussion in this country about Islam, and poverty — is running a $35,000 deficit, and fellowships, including (most recently) a the microphone is often held by polemicists or and the future of this truly transformative National Endowment for the Humanities apologists. My own hope is that the people humanities program is in jeopardy. You Fellowship. Keith has taught at Brown who have participated in our program are can help. University and Smith College. He has lived and more prepared to resist simplistic judgments Our grant program has been cut back drastically, but the need for grant funds traveled extensively in the Middle East, and now for or against, and better able to take a critical for everything from oral history projects lives in Newton with his wife Sylvia and son look at blanket assertions made by Islam’s Daniel. detractors and defenders alike. Going back to David Tebaldi interviewed Keith for Letter continued on page 2 Mass Humanities by e-mail. Interview continued on page 4 Nancy Hoffman Roger Wiehe Letter continued from page 1 David Holdorf and Kathleen Katherine Winter to museum exhibitions to documentary films continues Dwyer John Woolsey unabated. You can help. Lawrence Hott and Diane You understand the importance of the work we Garey $1 - $99 Main Office 66 Bridge Street do. Please help us continue to do it. If you haven’t yet Gordon Hyatt 96 INC. Northampton, MA 01060 sent a contribution, please send one today. We need Immigrants’ Assistance Anne Alach (413) 584-8440 Fax (413) 584-8454 your support. Center George Ashley www.mfh.org And remember, every dollar of your tax-deductible Ellen Kanner Carla Baratta Metro Boston Office contribution goes directly into programs that increase Stephen Kay Richard Berlin 125 Walnut Street Watertown, MA 02472 the understanding and influence of the humanities in Steve Kidder Jo Brindisi (617) 923-1678 Fax (617) 923-8426 Massachusetts and enrich individual and community Helen Krumsiek Jill Brown STAFF life across the Commonwealth. Jill Kushner Carl Carlsen Main Office, Northampton Sincerely, Saundra Lane Justyna Carlson David Tebaldi Bruce Laurie Bruce Cohen Executive Director Gail Leftwich Carolyn Connerat [email protected] Donald Lightfoot John Corse Kristin O’Connell Ambrizeth Lima Pat Costello Assistant Director [email protected] Donors $100 - $499 Yu-Lan Lin Edwina Cruise Accord Vending, Inc. Ann Lisi and Joel Greene Nancy D’Ascensio Anne Rogers Systems Manager January 1, 2002 through Michele Aldrich Catherine Lugar Arline Davis [email protected] December 31, 2002 Onesimo Almeida John Lund Alice Delana Hayley Wood Robert Annibale Ingrid MacGillis Corey Dolgon The Massachusetts Foundation Humanities Programs Director Joyce Antler Donald Malkin Kevin Fallon [email protected] for the Humanities wishes to Associação Academica of Leo Marx George Fifield thank these generous donors for Metro Boston Office Fall River Massachusetts Alliance of Donald Friary their confidence and support. Ellen K. 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