The Jones Library in Amherst is partnering with ION as a part of the
Bridging Cultures: Muslim Journeys bookshelf grant received by the Jones Library earlier this year from the National Endowment for the Humanities. The goal of the
Bridging Cultures initiative is to engage the power of the humanities to promote understanding and mutual respect for people with diverse histories, cultures, and perspectives.
The first offering of this initiative is
Muslim Journeys, which uses literature and other resources for exploring new and diverse perspectives on the people, places, histories, beliefs, and cultures of Muslims in the United States and around the world.
The bookshelf grant itself consists of 25 books and 3 films, as well as access to an online research resource, Oxford Islamic Studies Online, with additional resources created for use with this bookshelf. The books have been organized into five basic themes: American Stories - Connected Histories - Literary Reflections - Pathways of Faith - Points of View.
Programs centered on the different themes and materials in the bookshelf are being planned for October 2013. Information will be available as these programs develop.
