Islamophobia Production and the Palestine-Israel Conflict

Full flyer here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/joeskillet/4464974077/sizes/o/

Type: Education – Lecture
Date: Thursday, April 15, 2010
Time: 6:00pm – 8:00pm
Location: Graduate School of Public Health Auditorium G23
Street: 130 DeSoto Street
City/Town: Pittsburgh, PA

Dr. Hatem Bazian, received his Ph.D. in Philosophy and Islamic Studies from the University of California, Berkeley. Currently, Bazian is a senior lecturer in the Departments of Near Eastern and Ethnic Studies. Dr. Bazian between 2002-2007, also served as an adjunct professor of law at Boalt Hall School of Law at the University of California, Berkeley.

He teaches courses on Islamic Law and Society, Islam in America: Communities and Institutions, De-Constructing Islamophobia and Othering of Islam, Religious Studies, and Middle Eastern Studies. In addition to Berkeley, Dr. Bazian is a visiting Professor in Religious Studies at Saint Mary’s College of California and adviser to the Religion, Politics and Globalization Center at UC Berkeley as well as Academic Affairs Chair at Zaytuna College of California.

In Spring 2009, Dr. Bazian founded at Berkeley the Center for the Study and Documentation of Islamophobia, a research unit dedicated to the systematic study of Othering Islam and Muslims.

Dr. Bazian is known for being an organic intellectual, a term used for academics directly connecting their research to the people; rather than looking down from the ivory tower. Dr. Bazian’s published book, Jerusalem in Islamic Consciousness, is a reflection of his desire to contribute to a better understanding of Muslim attachment and informed political attitudes toward the Sacred City and Palestine in general.

Currently, Dr. Bazian is working on two books, Silicon Rush: Documenting Muslim Communities in the the Silicon Valley; and Virtual Internment: Muslims and the War on Terrorism. Bazian most recent publication is a chapter contribution in French on Islamophobia and an entry to Oxford’s Human Rights Encyclopedia covering the HR under the Palestinian Authority.

As an activist, Dr. Bazian has played a significant role almost in every human and civil rights movement in the Bay Area, nationally and internationally including the defense of Affirmative Action in California, American With Disabilities Act, Anti-Apartheid, Anti-Globalization Movement, and Central American Solidarity struggles.

Dr. Bazian worked as Editor in Chief of Discourse Magazine, a monthly progressive publication in SF and post 9-11, co-hosted “Islam Today,” a 94.1 KPFA, KBFB in Berkeley and KFCF in Fresno weekly radio magazine show covering Islam and its diverse people around the world. Since September 11, he has appeared in many TV and Radio interviews, offered frequent commentary on current affairs and is a regular consultant for the San Francisco Chronicle on stories relating to Palestine, the Arab world, Islam, Muslims and world politics.

Jonas’ Bachelor of Philosophy in International and Area Studies Thesis Defense:

The Impact of Catastrophic Events Upon Media Bias: Case Study from the New York Times’ Coverage of the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

Full flyer here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/joeskillet/4464974175/sizes/l/

Type: Education – Lecture
Date: Friday, April 16, 2010
Time: 10:00am – 11:30am
Location: William Pitt Union- Ballroom
Street: 3959 5th Avenue
City/Town: Pittsburgh, PA

That time is finally here!

For the past year and a half, I have been researching the role the New York Times plays in (mis)representing the Palestine-Israel conflict.

Instead of looking at long periods of time to discern the rate of media bias in the Times, I chose to look at Israel’s 3-week bombardment of the Gaza Strip in the winter of 2008-2009.

The Operation, codenamed “Cast Lead,” resulted in the deaths of nearly 1,400 Palestinians and 13 Israelis.

The Times, however, relayed a different story. What I found is shocking!–and I want to share it with you!

Join my extraordinary panel and me for my thesis defense on:

Friday April 16, 2010
10:00AM- 11:30Am

William Pitt Union Ballroom- University of Pittsburgh

Refreshments will be served.
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

REHAB: A Recovery Disco Brunch (A Fundraiser for Palestine travels)

Full flyer here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/joeskillet/4465750140/sizes/m/

Type: Causes – Fundraiser
Date: Sunday, April 18, 2010
Time: 11:00am – 3:00pm
Location: Jonas’ House
Street: 233 Pearl St
City/Town: Pittsburgh, PA

Want to help Jonas go to Palestine this summer to work with refugee children and fight the man?!, and have fun while doing so?

(If you cannot make the fundraiser, you can still help me by sending a check. Email me at joeskillet@riseup.net for details or paypal joeskillet@riseup.net).

Then come to REHAB- A RECOVERY DISCO BRUNCH

SUNDAY APRIL 18
11AM-3PM

JONAS’ HOUSE
233 PEARL ST
PITTSBURGH PA 15232
BLOOMFIELD

Choose from menu items named after someone currently or recently in Rehab (Amy Winehouse, David Hasselhoff, Mary-Kate Olsen, Robert Downey).

There will be vegan and meaty options.

Mary Mac will be spinning her hot beats for you while you enjoy your homecooked goodness, while sipping on your bloody mary or mimosa…

Sit back and be served by our rehab clinic staff who will make u feel all better after a long night of partying.

Plates are $10 and pitchers of mimosas and bloody marys are $10. Vials of mystery alcohol will be served for $2.

Come dressed in scrubs or clinic-related attire or as your favorite rehab-clinic-goer and get $3 off your bill.

LET ME KNOW IF YOU WANT TO PERFORM AND I’LL ADD YOU TO THE LIST!
performers will also get $3 off bill…

RSVP is immensely suggested so we know how much food to cook and drinks to buy. Please RSVP at joeskillet@riseup.net or call 412-583-5062

This book provides a sharp analysis of the struggle for Palestine—from the division of the Middle East by Western powers and the Zionist settler movement, to the founding of Israel and its role as a watchdog for U.S. interests, to present-day
conflicts and the prospects for a just resolution.

The narrative is firmly rooted in the politics of Palestinian liberation. Here is a necessary contribution to the heroic efforts of the Palestinian people to achieve justice in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds.

Join us for a presentation and discussion that will interest both long-term Palestinian rights activists and those who are new to understanding the issue.

“Becker gives us the most focused and penetrating
analysis we have of the real dynamics in the continuing
persecution of the Palestinian people.”
—Ramsey Clark, former U.S. attorney general

“This book is a clarion call to end the last vestiges of colonialism in the 21st century.”
—Imam Mahdi Bray, executive director, Muslim American Society Freedom

“A must-read for anyone seeking to understand the Palestinian cause.”
—Samera Sood, executive board, Palestinian American Women’s Association

“Becker foregrounds what others usually set aside: the integral role of U.S. imperialism, with the Zionist State as an essential partner.”
—Joel Kovel, author, “Overcoming Zionism”

RICHARD BECKER is a writer and commentator on Middle East
affairs. He has visited the Middle East on numerous occasions.
Becker has contributed to books and videos on Iraq and Middle
East affairs, and been a featured speaker across the country and
around the world. He is a regular contributor
to Liberation newspaper and PSLweb.org.

Paperback, 233 pages, illustrated, indexed. Price: $17.95
ISBN: 978-0-9841220-0-4
October 2009, PSL Publications
PalestineBook.com
also on Amazon!

Mon, March 1, 8:30pm
Posvar Hall, Room 1500 – University of Pittsburgh
Sponsored by ANSWER Coalition – Pittsburgh with Students for
Justice in Palestine. For more information: pittsburgh@answercoalition.org

1. Bil’in Habibti
Thursday Jan 21 8:30 PM
William Pitt Union Assembly Room

2. Jerusalem: East Side Story
Thursday February 18, 8:30 PM
William Pitt Union Kurtzman Room

3. Rachel
Thursday March 18, 8:30 PM
William Pitt Union Kurtzman Room

OCC credit available
Short discussion to follow

Info on Films:
1. Bil’in Habibti (Thursday Jan 21st 8:30 pm; Pitt Student Union Ballroom)

Directed by Shai Carmeli-Pollak : « I did not come to Bilin as a filmmaker, but as an activist, to take part in the protest against the land theft caused by the separation barrier.

For a year and a half, I used my camera to document the moments of despair and hope, danger and courage and the birth of true partnership between Palestinians and Israelis. During this period the village has become a symbol of the joint struggle against the barrier and the occupation.

2.Jerusalem: East Side Story (Thursday Feb 18th 8:30 pm; Pitt Student Union Kurtzman Room)

The latest shipment of history is the Israeli occupation. In 1948, the western part of the city fell under Israeli control; in 1967, the eastern part fell under Israeli occupation. Since then, Israel has pursued a policy of Judaizing the city, aiming to achieve “Jewish demographic superiority.” Part of this policy is to drive Palestinian Muslims and Christians out of the city; denying their presence, history, and ties to the land.

The documentary takes you on a journey exposing Israel’s policy to gain supremacy and hegemony over the city and its inhabitants. It also touches on the future of the city: Jerusalem is the key to peace; without Jerusalem, there is no peace for anyone.

The film includes interviews with Palestinian and Israeli leaders, human rights activists and political analysts.

3. Rachel (Thursday March 18th 8:30 pm, Pitt Student Union Kurtzman Room)

Directed by Simone Bitton “The Wall”. On March 16, 2003, in the almost uninterrupted tide of Middle Eastern current affairs and just before the war in Iraq, a small tragic event was reported by some press agencies, just a few lines in the newspaper, or a 45 -second report on television: A young American peace activist was killed in the Gaza Strip, crushed by an Israeli bulldozer while she was trying to prevent the destruction of a Palestinian house.