Mohja Kahf
Photo by Russel Cothren courtesy of University of Arkansas Relations.

Indiana University East’s “One Book, Many Voices” project this year focuses on the selected book, The Girl in the Tangerine Scarf, by Mohja Kahf.

Kahf will give a talk via Zoom on Wednesday, November 15. The live video lecture will be shown at 5:30 p.m. in Vivian Hall, located in Whitewater Hall. The event is free and open to the public, but a reservation is required and can be completed online at onebook2017.eventbrite.com.

A previously recorded interview with Kahf will also be shown in Vivian Auditorium from 2:30-4 p.m. This event is open to the community as well.

This is the sixth annual year for IU East’s “One Book, Many Voices” project. The project’s mission is to foster a campus and community discussion about themes and ideas inspired by a common text in an effort to develop camaraderie, inform knowledge, and inspire action towards positive civic engagement and improvement.

Kahf is a Syrian-American author. In addition to her prose novels, she is also a well-regarded poet, with two acclaimed books of poetry. Emails from Scheherazad was a finalist for the 2004 Paterson Poetry Prize, while Hagar Poems was released in 2016 to positive reviews. From 2004 to 2007, she wrote a regular column on sexuality for the now-defunct website MuslimWakeup! and authored the nonfiction work Western Representation of the Muslim Woman: From Termagant to Odalisque. She is currently professor of Comparative Literature in the Religious Studies department of the University of Arkansas.

The Girl in the Tangerine Scarf is about Syrian immigrant Khadra Shamy, who is growing up in a devout, tightly knit Muslim family in 1970s Indiana.

Throughout the day on Nov. 15, IU East will host events and activities throughout the day focused on the “One Book, Many Voices” project and Kahf’s book.

The campus and community is invited to attend the events in Whitewater Hall. The day will begin with the annual Empty Bowls Lunch at 11 a.m. in the lobby. Proceeds this year will benefit Exodus Refugee Immigration, a humanitarian program that provides protection and opportunity to refugees fleeing persecution and war.

Copies of The Girl in the Tangerine Scarf are available in the Campus Library, located in Hayes Hall.

For more information, visit iue.edu.onebook. Additionally, the Campus Library has developed a Libguide with information about the author and the book, a glossary of terms and other resources for readers. The Libguide is available at iue.libguides.com.

“One Book, Many Voices” Schedule Events on November 15    
Empty Bowls Lunch
11-12:30 p.m., Whitewater Hall Lobby
IU East ceramics students and community potters create handcrafted bowls. In exchange for a cash donation to benefit Exodus Refugee Immigration, guests select a bowl which will be filled with their choice of delicious soup. Cost is $10. Sponsored by the School of Humanities and Social Sciences.

Poetry Session
12:30-2:30 p.m.
Whitewater Hall, Community Room
Poetry Workshop and Performance with Syed Umar Warsi.

Poster Session
2:30-4 p.m.
Whitewater Hall, Vivian Auditorium
Snacks and recorded author video with Mohja Kahf.

Mohja Kahf Live Video Lecture and Discussion
5:30 p.m.
Whitewater Hall, Vivian Auditorium
The event is free and open to the public. RSVP at onebook2017.eventbrite.com