NORWAY — The Norway Memorial Library will be hosting a book discussion at 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 1, in which a Bates College professor will lead discussion on Brunswick author Maria Padian’s young adult novel “Out of Nowhere.”

The reading is part of an ongoing program entitled “Muslim Journeys,” where the Norway Memorial Library attempts to examine Muslim culture through books, music and movies. According to reference librarian Katherine Morgan, Padian’s book follows the experiences of a high school student dealing with the settling of a group of Somali immigrants in his hometown.

“Her book is based on the events in Lewiston 10 years ago, when a large group of Somali immigrants moved into the city,” Morgan said. “We got Heather Lindkvist, a Bates professor, to lead a discussion on the book following the reading. Heather was heavily involved with the incoming Somalis from 10 years ago.”

The road to the Muslim Journeys program series began in October 2012, after Morgan and reference librarian Julia Hoisington applied for a grant through the American Library Association and the National Endowment for the Humanities. As part of the grant, they received 25 books, three films and access for one year to Oxford Islamic Studies Online.

The program kicked off in June, when Reza Jalali, the Muslim Chaplin at Bates College, facilitated a conversation with 52 residents about Islam and Ramadan.

“We always like to do different things at the library, and our readers enjoy it when we do programs involving different cultures,” Morgan said. “We’ve had a very good turnout so far.”

Following the Padian book discussion, another book discussion will be held on Aug. 20 in which Anne Marie Wolf, the assistant professor of history at the University of Maine at Farmington, will lead discussion on “Ornament of the World” by Maria Rosa Menocal.

The program will wrap up on Aug. 22 with a performance by Okbari, a Middle-Eastern music ensemble.

mdaigle@sunjournal.com

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