International week and "Islam 101"
Comedian Aman Ali
As part of International Education Week, Skidmore welcomes Aman Ali, an award-winning storyteller, comedian, and popular social-media personality in
the Muslim community. His free, public talk, titled "Ask Me Anything—I'm Muslim!"
begins at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 15, in Gannett Auditorium. Known for his curiosity and
openness as well as humor, he will present some basics about Islam and then take questions
from the audience. A reception will follow.
International Education Week is a program of the US Department of State. Highlights
of Skidmore’s observance include:
* screening of Ang Lee's Wedding Banquet (about a Taiwanese immigrant and his parents) with Chinese language professor Mao Chen, Monday, Nov. 14, 6:15 p.m. (with refreshments beforehand), Language Resource Center (Palamountain Hall, room 429)
* workshop on leveraging study-abroad experience into a job after college, with Rachel Rice from IES Abroad, Thursday, Nov. 17, noon to 2 p.m., Intercultural Center
* screening of The True Cost (about the global fashion industry and its workers) with environmental studies professor Andrew Schneller and sustainability fellow Jennifer Natyzak, Thursday, Nov. 17, 6:30 p.m., Emerson Auditorium
* community fundraiser for Haiti, featuring activities, performances, and food, Saturday, Nov. 19, 5 to 8 p.m., Case Center
Tuesday's Ali visit is co-sponsored by the Office of the Vice President for Strategic Planning and Institutional Diversity, the Off-Campus Study and Exchanges Office, and two student clubs: Hayat and the International Student Union. The ISU has grown as Skidmore has enrolled more and more non-US students—from 1% less than a decade ago to more than 10% of the student body this year. Read about Skidmore’s international Davis Scholars, and meet international freshmen Devka Nambiar and NK Mabaso.
Ohio-born, New York City-based Ali has been a multimedia reporter for CNN, ABC News, NPR, and other outlets. He has been a standup comic and storyteller for several years, often discussing his upbringing by parents from India living in America’s Midwest. He and friend Bassam Tariq, a photographer and filmmaker, created the 30 Mosques in 30 Days blog in 2009. Since then, they have continued to report on visits to mosques all over the US and have made short films about various facets of Muslim life.
