The Wayne State University College of Liberal Arts, the Department of Near Eastern and Asian Studies and the Religious Studies Program are sponsoring "Islam in America" in conjunction with The Institute for Social Policy and Understanding (ISPU). The conference, April 7th - 8th, will explore topics ranging from Mosque Architecture to the view of American Islam in the nineteenth century to The Patriot Act.

"Islam in America" will be held at the McGregor Memorial Conference Center on the campus of Wayne State University. Leading scholars representing Wayne State, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, University of Michigan, Stanford University, Indiana University, Oxford University, Adrian College, University of Kentucky, University of California at Berkeley and others will explore a multi-disciplinary agenda reflecting a wide spectrum of scholarly interests pertaining to history, gender and civil liberties.

"While much as been said about Muslims and Islam since September 11, 2001, the scholarly community has been on the sidelines of the discussion," said Dean Robert Thomas. " 'Islam in America' is one of the first national conferences to examine the Muslim community in America from both an academic and public policy perspective."

Dr. Yvonne Haddad, professor of history at Georgetown University, will discuss "Muslims in America after 9/11," at the opening dinner, Wednesday, April 7th, at 7 p.m Dr. Marcia Hermansen, professor of theology at Loyola University will present, "The Shaping of American Muslim Identity, at 2 p.m. April 7.

To register for the conference, or to reserve a spot at the dinner, contact Paul Clemens at (313) 577-5968. The conference is free and open to the public, but registration is required due to limited seating capacity.

Wayne State University is a premier institution offering more than 350 academic programs through 13 schools and colleges to more than 33,000 students.