While the mission may be to spread religious understanding throughout campus, it’s always helpful to have a place to call home.
The University of Toledo’s Center for Religious Understanding has a new space in University Hall Room 4700.
When the Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies moved to University Hall, Dr. Jamie Barlowe, dean of the College of Languages, Literature and Social Science, dedicated the space to the center, said Dr. Jeanine Diller, director of the center.
“The center’s new home has been a joy and a help,” Diller said. “It is truly a pleasure to have a single place to hold as many of the center’s activities as the space permits. Thanks to the help of the UT designers, we have figured out how to seat 25. These will include our student interfaith discussion forums, faculty brown-bag readings, planning meetings, and our regular staff and board meetings.”
After a grand opening last May, the center is now able to offer a variety of new programs this fall. Events will include:
Faculty Reads
UT’s campus community is invited to hear faculty read from their latest work over the lunch hour. The 30-minute readings will begin at noon.
• Tuesday, Oct. 27 — Dr. Edmund Lingan, associate professor and chair of theatre, will read from his recent book, The Theatre of the Occult Revival: Alternative Spiritual Performance From 1875 to the Present.
• Wednesday, Nov. 18 — Dr. Ovamir Anjum, Imam Khattab Chair of Islamic Studies, will read from his book, Politics, Law and Community in Islamic Thought: The Taymiyyan Moment.
Windows on Contemporary Islamic Issues
Anjum will present on major issues in the Middle East. Talks will start at 9:30 a.m.
• Thursday, Oct. 15 — A reading, lecture and discussion of Lila Abu-Lughod’s recent book titled Do Muslim Women Need Saving?
• Tuesday, Nov. 17 — Is ISIS Islamic?
Is There a God or Some Other Ultimate Reality?
• Dr. Peter Feldmeier, Thomas and Margaret Murray and James J. Bacik Catholic Studies Professor, and Dr. Ammon Allred, assistant professor of philosophy, will discuss the significance of a higher power Wednesday, Oct. 21, at 3:30 p.m.
All the free, public events include light refreshments.
“No more special reservations required, no more ‘What room is it in?’ Plus the space is designed especially for [the events] — relaxed, with tea and coffee and snacks, and pictures of all the work the center has done lining the walls,” Diller said.
For more information about center events and programs, visit http://utole.do/cfru.
