Some recent interesting articles about Iran

Dissent magazine asked a group of respected center-left experts on the Mid East thisset of questions about Iran:

For a quarter of a century, Iran has been ruled by a militant theocracy.
After the shah's regime--authoritarian, brutal, and backed by the United
States--was overthrown, the new regime quickly proved itself to be
authoritarian, cruel, and self-warranted by Islamic fundamentalism. Reform
efforts have proved chimerical, and Tehran has pursued nuclear capabilities with
vigor, long deceiving the International Atomic Energy Agency and Western
interlocutors about its efforts. To what extent should the character of the
Iranian regime govern Western responses to its ambitions? Should Iran be
considered just one state among others, seeking its legitimate self-interests?
What "threat" does the current Iranian regime pose in today's world? Responses
appear below.

You can read the articles here: http://www.dissentmagazine.org/issue/?issue=62

Dissent also has an address by former German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer: http://www.dissentmagazine.org/article/?article=726


Here's a review of a book I haven't read, but hope to soon: Ray Takeyh, Hidden Iran: Paradox and Power in the Islamic Republic -- http://www.nationalinterest.org/Article.aspx?id=13292

Gen. Odom on Iraq, always worth reading

You remember my mention of Jimmy Carter's National Security Adviser, Zbigniew Brzezinski? His chief military adviser was William Odom, who went on to be head of the National Security Agency under Reagan. Odom was a colleague of mine at Hudson Institute, very bright and opinionated. Odom loudly opposed the invasion of Iraq from the beginning. It wasn't just that it was executed badly (too few troops, for instance, or inadequate planning). It was fated to be a strategic disaster from the moment US troops' boots touched Iraqi soil: it strengthens America's enemies, hurts our relations with our allies, and destabilizes a regions whose stability ought to be our primary goal. You can read Odom's testimony to the Senate last week here:

http://japanfocus.org/products/details/2335

He may be mistaken about how to get out, but Odom always rewards reading.

Details about IU Bloomington Middle East Festival

A lot of excellent events if you are in Bloomington. This is from Çigdem Balim, who will be happy to answer any questions you have: cbalim@indiana.edu Review-worthy events for Middle East Politics are in red.


Annual Middle Eastern Arts Festival Feb 1st-10th

Contact: Department of Near Eastern Languages and Cultures, Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies Program102 Goodbody, 3rd St, Bloomington, IN 47404, 812-855-5993, Melissa Henige at nelcmesp@indiana.edu

The Annual Middle Eastern Arts Festival Feb 1st-10th celebrates Middle Eastern art, culture, and influence. Visit the event website at www.indiana.edu/~nelcmesp/arts for descriptions, dates, locations, etc. This year, theFestival will feature Middle Eastern art and ethnomusicology, art demonstrations, films, food tasting, folkdance, poetry, lectures, and much more. The sponsored events are free and open to the public. Attached is a sampling of the events to take place in the Bloomington community and on IU-B's campus. For addtional information call at 812*219*7684.

MIDDLE EASTERN ARTS FESTIVAL February 1st-10th!

Windfall Dancers, and Iraqi music group Salaam
When: Feb. 2nd, 3rd, 9th, and 10th at 8:00pm
Where: John Waldron Arts Center,122 S. Walnut St. http://www.artlives.org/

Windfall Dancers use modern dance as a narrative to tell the age-old stories of Arabian Nights. Iraqi music group, Salaam, performs with them. This show will be a magical event suitable for the entire family. Non-sponsored NELC event www.windfalldancers.org; www.salaamband.com

Tickets available by calling 812-334-0506, at 1101 N. Dunn St, or online at http://www.bloomingtonarts.info/

***********************************************************************************
Middle Eastern Book Exhibit
When: Feb 1st-18th 9AM-5PM
Where: IU-Fine Arts Library, 2nd floor 1133 E. 7th St,

A selection of Fine Arts Library books and facsimile editions of manuscripts on Middle Eastern arts and culture will be exhibited. Accompanying this exhibition will be a selection of artists' books by Buzz Spector, Chair, Department of Art, Cornell University.

http://www.indiana.edu/~iuam
Contact B. J. Kish Irvine, Fine Arts Librarian for more information 812-855-5445
Free

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Persian Film: "The Twilight"
When: Feb 1st, 7-9pm
Where: Swain East 140, IUB campus

Come watch "The Twilight", directed by Mohammad Rasulof. The film presents an intense and stark portrait of life among the rural underclass and meditates on the meaning of freedom, as petty criminal, Reza, is released from prison after serving half of his life there.

Contact: plosensk@indiana.edu; sdaneshg@indiana.edu

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Children's Spectacular
When: Sunday Feb 4th, 2-3pm
Where: Monroe Public County Library, 303 E. Kirkwood Ave, Library Auditorium

Children's comic program with folkdance, swordsman, and tales from the Middle East. The program has been designed specifically for children, though enjoyable for any age! Performers Katya Faris (http://www.katyafaris.com/) and Mohamed Shahin (http://www.mohamedshahin.com/) will dazzle you with their elaborate colorful costumes, dance, and music!

Free. For more information call 812-349-3100 or http://www.monroe.lib.in.us/

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Middle Eastern Cuisine Sunday

When: Sunday Feb 4th, 7pm
Where: Café Ragazzi, 212 S. Rogers

Middle Eastern Cuisine Sunday fills up quickly so please call for reservations for International Cuisine Sunday. Graduate student, Ahmad Almallah, and Café Ragazzi owner, Tamyra Dippolito, will present the cuisine and history of Palestine.

Call for reservations: 812-323-9005.

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Internationally known contemporary artist Najjar Abdul Musawwir

When: Monday February 5, 7:00pm
Where: Foster International Center

Andrew Gipe

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Middle East Art related lectures

When: Friday Feb. 9th, 2:30-5:30pm
Where: Lilly Library, 1200 E. 7th St.

Distinguished professors and graduate students of IU-Bloomington--Christiane Gruber, Yasmine Gencer, and Deborah Justice--will provide talks on Middle Eastern art and architecture. Light refreshments will be provided.

Free: 812-855-2452, http://www.indiana.edu/~liblilly/

************************************************************************************
Ethnomusicology Career Workshop

When: Feb. 9th, 7-9pm
Where: Mather's Museum of World Cultures, 416 N. Indiana. St

Irene Markoff, who is well-versed in Sufi music, having written her PhD dissertation on musical theory, performance and the professional baglama(folk lute),and specialist of Turkey. She will give a workshop on "The Challenges of Teaching Turkish Music in an Ensemble/Lecture Setting," as well as strategies and reflections on an ethnomusicology career. Light refreshments provided. Free, call 812-855-6873 for more information. Sponsored by the American Turkish Society.

************************************************************************************
Ethnomusicology Presentation and Performance by Irene Markoff

When: Saturday Feb 10th, 4-6pm
Where: IMU, Faculty Room of the University Club

Irene Markoff will give a talk on Sufi Music and Ritual in Turkey. The presentation will include a discussion on poetry, rituals, music, and the concepts of sama and zikr. Performance (baglama and voice) will be integrated into the presentation. Light refreshments provided. Sponsored by the American Turkish Society.

Suggested articles for history of Iran before Islamic Revolution

Shiva Balaghi, A Brief History of 20th-Century Iran

New York Times collection, Secrets of History: The CIA in Iran

Mostafa T. Zahrani, "The Coup That Changed the Middle East: Mossadeq v. The CIA in Retrospect"

Zehra F. Arat, "Democracy and Economic Development: Modernization Theory Revisited" (available through JSTOR)

You can read a good review of Steve Kinzer's book, All the Shah's Men: H. D. S. Greenway, "The Iran conspiracy," The New York Review of Books Volume 50, Number 14 September 25, 2003

the history you need for understanding Fisk chapter 4

The Past Century of Persian/Iranian History

A couple of books on Iran that I would recommend buying if you see them at Half Price Books (or order them used from Froogle):

Ken Pollack's The Persian Puzzle: The Conflict Between Iran and America.

Dilip Hiro, Iranian Labyrinth

David Harris,The Crisis: The President, the Prophet, and the Shah-1979 and the Coming of Militant Islam

Stephen Kinzer, All the Shah's Men: An American Coup and the Roots of Middle East Terror

Azar Nafisi Reading Lolita In Tehran: A Memoir In Books

1906: Constitutional Revolution establishes Iran's first Parliament. Iran (Persia) was in a position similar to other ancient autocracies confronting the West, how to modernize and thus prevent colonization, while still preserving its distinctive political and cultural identity. Compare it to Japan, Russia, Siam, Russia, Ethiopia. Persia at this time was subject to competition from Britain and Russia: replace Britain with the US halfway through the 20th century, and Russia with the Soviet Union ... and that is the situation until 1991. Neither Russia or Britain wanted a strong liberal Persia. And because it was locked in this competition between two great powers, Persia naturally looked outside for support, particularly to Germany.

1921 Military commander Reza Khan topples Ahmad Shah (1909) of the Qajar dynasty that had ruled for almost 150 years. The Brits and Russians had worked to subvert the constitutional republic, preferring a feeble monarchy. World War I hammered Persia's economy, and the country was fragmenting. Reza Khan sought to use the military to unify the country.

1925 Reza Khan names himself Shah of Iran, first of the Pahlavi dynasty. Big projects for the new Shah: a railroad connecting the pieces of the country, mass education outside of the control of the Shiite clergy, tax and legal reform, concentration of political power in his hands. Typical modernizing autocrat, try to impose his will on a backward country without allowing political power to become diffused.

1935 Country's name officially changes from Persia to Iran.

1941-1945 Although Iran declared its neutrality in WWII, the Allies believed Reza Khan sympathetic to Nazis and forced him to abdicate to his son Mohammad Reza. Allies use Iran as a supply line to Russia.


1951 Prime Minister Mohammad Mossadegh nationalizes oil industry. Britain retaliates with a trade embargo, leading to economic collapse.

1953 The Mossadegh government is overthrown in a CIA-British-backed coup; Mohammad Reza Shah, who had fled, returns to power.

1963 The Shah begins the "White Revolution," an ambitious--and controversial-modernization program. Opponents are repressed.

1979 the Shah is toppled in an Islamic revolution, establishing the Islamic Republic of Iran as a theocracy under the rule of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini. Fifty-two Americans are taken hostage at the U.S. Embassy.


1980 Attempted rescue of hostages fails; eight U.S servicemen die,

1980 Iraq invades Iran, sparking an eight-year war that kills an estimated 500,000. America backs Iraq with military intelligence but supplies weapons to both sides.

1981 American hostages are released after 444 days in captivity.

1985 Secret arms deals conducted between the U.S. and Iran later becomes known as the Iran-Contra affair.

1988 Iran and Iraq sign a cease-fire agreement.

1995 Accusing Iran of sponsoring terrorism, the United States bans all trade with the nation.

1997 Reformist Mohammad Khatami is elected president by a landslide.

2000 Reformists win 70 percent of Parliament seats, Hard-line judiciary begins crackdown on newspaper editors and dissidents, leading to newspaper closures and arrests.

2001 President Khatami is reelected in a landslide victory.

2002 President George W, Bush lists Iran, together with North Korea and Iraq, as part of the "Axis of Evil"

• 2004 Conservatives regain control of Parliament after thousands of reformist candidates are disqualified. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) rebukes Iran for failing to cooperate with nuclear inspections.
  



• 2005 Iran allows IAEA inspections in January.
  

From Afshin Molavi, "A new day in Iran?" Smithsonian Mar2005, Vol. 35 Issue 12, p54-63

Elias Mallon's "Shiite Muslims--The Party of Aly"

This is a good overview of the background of the Shiite/Sunni divide. Fr. Mallon is speaking at Marian College Feb. 8, try to see him.

America, 2/6/2006, Vol. 194 Issue 4

Fr. Elias Mallon

"Shiite Muslims--The Party of Aly"

Since the beginning of the war in Iraq on March 20, 2003, Americans have encountered Shiite Islam in the media more frequently than at any time since the taking of the hostages in Tehran, when the American Embassy in Iran was occupied on Nov. 4, 1979, and Americans were held hostage for 444 days. As the Iranian Revolution developed, many Americans who had barely heard of Shiite Islam became painfully aware of the Shiite term ayatollah. Indeed, until recently these Americans believed that Ruhollah Khomeini, the leader of the Iranian Revolution, was the ayatollah. In fact, he was not even the main ayatollah, much less the only one. Now Americans hear about Shiite Islam in every newscast and read about it almost every day in the newspapers.

If most people in the West know little about Sunni Islam, which includes approximately 85 percent of all the Muslims in the world, knowledge about Shiite Islam is even more sparse and often entirely colored by the state of U.S. relations with the Islamic Republic of Iran. The memory of the hostage-taking in Teheran and media images of Shiites whipping themselves during the annual mourning for the death of Imam Hussein have produced the image that Shiite Muslims are fanatical and even bloodthirsty. Nothing could be further from the truth.

The roots of Shiite Islam go back to the death of the Prophet Muhammad in June 632. Muhammad had left no instructions about how the community of believers should be governed after his death. Although Muhammad could never be replaced as the Messenger of God, some Muslims believed that Aly ibn Abi Talib, the cousin and son-in-law of Muhammad, was the most likely one to lead the community. But Aly was not the one selected. In fact, there would be three caliphs, or successors to Muhammad, before Aly was chosen for the role.

Even during his lifetime, Aly experienced a conflict between his followers and the followers of the family that would, after his death, begin the Umayyid Dynasty in Damascus. Ultimately, Aly was assassinated and the Umayyids assumed power. Aly's faction (Arabic shi'ah, hence Shiite) did not disappear with his death, however, but continued its efforts to have a direct descendant of Muhammad become caliph. In the year 680, Hussein, the younger son of Aly, was involved in an unsuccessful revolt against the Umayyid caliph. On Oct. 10, 680, a date Shiite Muslims observe annually according to the Muslim calendar, Hussein was brutally murdered, together with the women and children of his retinue.

After the death of Hussein, the Shiite Muslims were for all practical purposes excluded from major leadership in the Muslim community under the Umayyid and later during the Abassid caliphates. In fact, many times in history Shiites were a disadvantaged, if not persecuted, minority within Islam.

Shiite and Sunni Muslims have in common a great deal of the faith of Islam. Both hold to the Five Pillars of Islam: the Creed, the five official daily prayers, almsgiving, the fast of Ramadan and the pilgrimage to Mecca. Both believe that the Koran is the infallible word of God, dictated to Muhammad. Both lay great stress on the traditions and sayings of the Prophet.

Nonetheless, there are also significant differences between Shiite and Sunni Muslims. For Shiites the leadership of the Muslim community must come through someone descended in a direct bloodline from the Prophet Muhammad. The imam in Shiite Islam is just such a direct descendant of Muhammad. He is the infallible leader of the community and is sinless. Shiites differ among themselves as to the number of imams. Some, called Seveners, hold there are seven such leaders. Among these are the Isma'ilis, the followers of the Agha Khan. The majority of Shiites, however, hold to a succession of 12 imams and are called Twelvers. Most Shiite Muslims in Iran and Iraq are Twelvers. Whether one holds for 7 or 12 imams, in either case the last imam is presently in "occultation." That is to say, he is "absent" or in hiding until he returns to take over an ideal community. Thus Shiites have a type of eschatology that looks forward to the "return" of the imam.

Because the imams were recipients of special knowledge, Shiite theology has an interest in esoteric, hidden wisdom that is not found in Sunni Islam. As a result, there is considerable interest in mystical theology in Shiite Islam. The Koran provides a rich source for mystical knowledge, and Shiites have developed highly sophisticated ways of interpreting the text. Christians familiar with the sensus plenior, or "fuller meaning" of the Scriptures in the Middle Ages, would find similarities in this Shiite tradition of mystical exegesis of the Koran. The cities of Qom in Iran and Najaf in Iraq are centers of theological study and learning, where aspiring Shiite scholars come to master philosophy, exegesis and hermeneutics in addition to the basic Islamic studies of Muslim history, Koranic commentary (tafsir) and jurisprudence.

Historically, the imams of Shiite Islam almost invariably suffered persecution, and many were killed. Hussein, the son of Aly and the grandson of Muhammad, is perhaps the most famous and beloved of the martyred imams; but his father and many of his descendants were also killed. Every year on the anniversary of Hussein's martyrdom, Shiites throughout the world mourn his death and many perform the ta'aziyah, a type of Passion Play, recounting the killing of the imam. Mourning for Hussein can include processions in which believers flagellate themselves to the point of drawing blood. Shortly after the beginning of the war in Iraq, Shiites in the south of Iraq observed the 40th day after the death of Hussein with such a procession. These processions had been banned under the dictatorship of Saddam Hussein, and the enthusiasm of the Shiite mourners was intense. At least one American commentator interpreted the procession, with its flagellations and bloodletting, as a sign that Shiites were fanatical and bloodthirsty. This reporter had made little or no effort to understand the nature of the procession. Nor was he aware that similar processions take place among some Christians during Holy Week.

A Shiite Muslim worshipper flagellates himself in front of a banner showing Imam Hussein 's head, to mark the Muslim festival of Ashoura, outside the Imam Hussein shrine, Thursday in the holy city of Karbala, 50 miles south of Baghdad, Iraq. The festival of Ashoura commemoratesthe martyrdom of Imam Hussein, the grandson of Muhammad at the Battle of Karbala, Iraq, in the year A.D. 680.

A history of persecution and the murder of the imams have led Shiites to develop an extensive martyrology. Although Sunnis also speak of martyrs, martyrdom and the community of martyrs, especially that of imams, play a central role in Shiites' religious self-understanding. The meaning of the noble bearing of Hussein as he faced an enemy who did not stop at slaughtering women and children, and his calm demeanor as he encountered his death are stored in the collective psyche of Shiite Muslims. Sharing with all Muslims love (though not worship) of the Prophet Muhammad, Shiite Muslims also have an intense and tender love for Aly, the cousin and son-in-law of the Prophet, and for Hussein, the son of Aly and grandson of the Prophet. Both of these leaders were murdered. Although drawing parallels can be misleading, it is fair to say that Shiite Muslims at least understand the Christian notion of vicarious suffering-that is to say, suffering for the sake and benefit of another.

Muslims are quick to point out that Islam does not have a clergy or a hierarchy similar to that of Catholicism and certain other Christian churches. To some extent this is true, especially among Sunnis. For Sunni Muslims the imam is the one who leads the community in prayer and gives the sermon at the Friday noon prayer. Imams may be more or less educated--in the United States they are increasingly well educated. There is, however, no clear course of studies a Sunni must complete to become an imam. While there is an ulema, or group of learned scholars, such scholars do not form a clearly delineated religious class in Sunni Islam.

The situation is different in Shiite Islam, in which religious leaders are required to undergo years of education and testing before they are recognized as a mujtahid, one who is able to "grapple or struggle" (the Arabic root of mujtahid is jhd, the same from which jihad is derived) with the interpretation of the Koran, the traditions and the legal matters. Lastly we have mentioned those who reach the level called hojatoleslam and the level of ayatollah. An ayatollah is one who is recognized by consensus as being exceedingly learned and observant. Some ayatollahs are given the title grand ayatollah or Marja al-taqlid, which means "source of emulation." There is normally one such grand ayatollah in Iraq. At present he is Ayatollah Aly
Husseini (al-) Sistani. In Iran five men hold the title grand ayatollah.

Despite the impression held by many in the West, most ayatollahs--and especially al-Sistani and his teacher and predecessor Ayatollah al-Khoei--are not in favor of Shiite religious leaders being involved in a country's politics. It is clear that Ayatollah Khomeini of Iran and his successor, Ayatollah Khamenei, were and are intimately involved in the revolution that overthrew the Shah and set up the Islamic Republic of Iran. Ayatollah Khamenei is presently the supreme religious leader in Iran and holds great political power. But it would be a mistake to see that type of political activism as a normal part of Shiite religious leadership. For the most part, it is not.

This is not to say that no Shiite leader outside of Iran is politically engaged. In Iraq there is a powerful military faction led by Muqtada al-Sadr. This phenomenon is often not well understood by the Western media. Al-Sadr is not a high level Shiite religious leader. Although he is often called a Hojatoleslam, he has not earned the title. His power is based in the militias he leads, not on his religious training or title. He cannot be considered a religious leader even remotely comparable to Grand Ayatollah al-Sistani.

Given the demographic situation in the United States, most Christian-Muslim dialogues are in fact Christian-Sunni Muslim dialogues. In addition, some Americans still have a very distorted image of Shiite Islam, which makes them hesitant to seek out Shiite Muslims and initiate dialogue with them. Nonetheless, the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue and several Protestant organizations enjoy very good relations with Shiite Muslims, even in Iran. It should not be forgotten that Hojatoleslam Mohammad Khatami, the former president of the Islamic Republic of Iran, attended the funeral of Pope John Paul II. Likewise the Shiite program of theological education allows for fruitful faculty exchanges. Professors from the theological faculty at Qom, for example, have been visiting professors at Catholic theological faculties in Rome, the United States and elsewhere. Catholic theology professors in turn have visited and taught especially at the Shiite theological faculty in Qom.

Americans need to know more about Islam in general and, given U.S. relations with Iraq and Iran, about Shiite Islam in particular. We need to overcome stereotypes that are caricatures or downright false. Shiite Muslims should be invited to Christian-Muslim dialogues to educate Christians about the nature of Shiite Islam and to make the contribution to the dialogue that is unique to those Muslims who belong to the "party of Aly."

Elias D. Mallon, of the Friars of the Atonement, has been a member of the Roman Catholic-Muslim Dialogue of the Archdiocese of New York for the past 20 years and is the author of several articles on Islam.

Reviewable eveants as of Jan. 28

More will turn up, here is what I have in my schedule right now. Please let me know if you have any questions.


January 30: Watch John McCormick and John Clark debate whose power is more super

Feb. 5 9:30-11:30 AM discussion with young foreign policymakers form 8 countries (RSVP with Clark)

February 8: Insider’s view of Catholic/Christian-Muslim dialogue at Marian College 3:30-5:00 PM (then go to class!)

Fr. Elias Mallon, SA, PhD will visit Marian College in Indianapolis on Thursday, Feb. 8. He will speak in Marian Hall Room 251 from 3:30 to 5:00 p.m. For over 20 years he has been part of the Catholic/Christian-Muslim dialogue. His talk is free and open to the public.Fr. Elias, a member of the Friars of the Atonement (Graymoor) is currently a member of the Franciscans International staff in New York City. He has been involved for over 20 years in the Catholic/Christian-Muslim dialogue, working with the Archdiocese of New York, the National Council of Churches of Christ, and the Secretariat for Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs of the US Conference of Bishops. He taught Middle Eastern languages at the University of Washington in Seattle and has published two books and numerous articles on Islam and Christian-Muslim relations. The latest of these is Islam: What Catholics Need to Know (Washington, DC: National Catholic Education Association) and "Shiite Muslims—The Party of Aly," in America February 6, 2006

February 10: Sufi Music & Ritual in Turkey (Bloomington)

February 13: 1:00 PM discussion with religious leaders (RSVP with Clark)

February 13: Learn about Lebanon and the rest of the Middle East from Prof. Nafhat Nasr

Feb. 20 All day teach-in about Iraq at Columbus IN High School (RSVP with Clark)

February 21: Join Stefan Halper in searching for the "the Rational Center" in policy discussions
· 3:00 PM Sagamore Institute
· 6:00 PM ICWA
· 9:30 PM GeoPol

Feb 23 - Mar 1: You HAVE to see the film "Iraq in Fragments"

February 28: Join Sheila Kennedy in discussing bringing war crimes before the International Criminal Court

March 2: Hear legal theorist John Yoo explain the Constitutional Powers of War and Peace

March 2: Meet John Yoo at Sagamore Institute

March 7: Learn the rules for the Great Game in Central Asia for the 21st Century


March 12: Hear what Colin Powell has to say for himself

March 13: Ask expert Raj Purohit whether War Crimes belong in the International Criminal Court

March 20: Solve Central Asia's problems with John Clark


April 7: all day conference at Marian College about "Christian, Muslim, and Jewish Encounters across Cultural Frontiers, Past and Present" (RSVP to Pierre Atlas: patlas@marian.edu)

April 11: Pierre Atlas again on the Middle East

April 12: Learn about foiling art thieves in Baghdad

Middle East music and culture event Feb 9 and 10

IU-Bloomington's Middle Eastern Arts Festival presents internationally renowned ethnomusicologist, Irene Markoff

Ethnomusicology Career Workshop

When: Friday, February 9th 7:00pm-9:00pm
Where: Mather’s Museum of World Cultures, 416 N. Indiana St, Bloomington



Lecture: Sufi Music & Ritual in Turkey
When: Saturday, February 10th 4:00-6:00pm
Where: IMU, Faculty Rm of the University Club


Irene Markoff is adjunct faculty members in the York University Graduate Program in Music. Of Bulgarian heritage, she directs York’s Balkan Ensemble. She is considered one of the world's leading experts on Sufi music, having written her PhD dissertation on musical theory, performance and the professional baglama (folk lute).



On Friday February 9, she will lead a workshop on strategies and reflections on an ethnomusicology career. In addition, on Saturday February 10 Irene Markoff will give a talk on Sufi Music and Ritual in Turkey. The presentation will include a discussion on poetry, rituals, music, and the concepts of sama and zikr. Performance (baglama and voice) will be integrated into the presentation. Light refreshments provided


Bloomington is also hosting the Annual Middle Eastern Festival Feb 1st-10th! Middle Eastern film, poetry, and cuisine, lectures on Middle Eastern art and architecture, Egyptian and Saudi folkdance, Windfall Dancers with Salaam, Historical Society photo archive project, and more. NELC sponsored events free and open to the public. For more information: https://www.exchange.iu.edu/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://www.iub.edu/~nelcmesp/arts/, or call 812-855-5993, Department of Near Eastern Languages and Cultures.




More about Irene Markoff here. She wrote an important article about "Sufi Music and Ritual in Turkey" that you might want to read before her talk.



No examples of Markoff playing, but this is a nice example of baglama playing; so is this.