This course is a literary introduction to great books written by mostly Muslim women ( two men) authors from different Muslim countries. The novels will be explored in a literary manner but also will be a point of conversation to the country, its traditions, its history, its geography and its political situation.

Dates: Tuesdays, May 7 – June 18, 2024.

(Note: there will be no lecture on Tuesday May 28th)

Time: 1:30pm-3:30pm

Location:

Hybrid, Online & In-Person (Participants can choose to attend in person or online).

  • Online via Zoom
  • In-Person, Carleton University Campus – Nicol Building

Prior to the first day of the series, registered participants will receive a Welcome Email. That email will include building & room number information, along with parking instructions.

Topics:

  • Week 1: Turkey: “The Bastard of Istanbul” by Elif Shafak
  • Week 2: Pakistan: “Home Fire” by Kamila Shamsie
  • Week 3: Zanzibar: “Paradise” by Abedulrazak Gurnah
  • Week 4: Libya: “In the Country of Men” by Hisham Matar
  • Week 5: Somalia: “The Orchard of Lost Soul” by Nadifa Mohamed
  • Week 6: Saudi Arabia “The Dove’s Necklace” by Raja Alim

About the Lecturer: Monia Mazigh is an academic, author and human rights advocate. She was the former National Coordinator of the International Civil Liberties Monitoring Group.

Mazigh was born and raised in Tunisia and immigrated to Canada in 1991. She was catapulted onto the public stage in 2002 when her husband, Maher Arar, was deported to Syria where he was tortured and held without charge for over a year. She campaigned tirelessly for his release.

Mazigh holds a PhD in finance from McGill University. In 2008, she published a memoir about her pursuit of justice, Hope and Despair, shortlisted for the Ottawa Book Award. In 2014, she published her first novel, Mirrors and Mirages. It was short listed for the Book Trillium Award and for the Ottawa Book Award. Her second novel, Hope Has Two Daughters, was published in January 2017 by Anansi House.

Policies: Please review the Lifelong Learning Policies

Registration is now full. Please join our waiting list.