LEWISTON – The Lewiston-Auburn College Muslim Students Association will host a discussion on Islam at 4 p.m. Monday, Sept. 24, at the college on Westminster Street.

Asma Barlas, an Ithaca College professor, will present a talk titled “Islam, Gender, and the War on Terror.” Barlas’ recent research focuses on Islam and, in particular, how Muslims interpret and live it.

Barlas, the founding director of the Center for the Study of Culture, Race, and Ethnicity, was born in Pakistan and was one of the first women to be inducted into the Foreign Service.

Later, fired from the post by Pakistan’s General Zia ul Haq for criticizing his military regime, she joined an opposition paper, The Muslim, as assistant editor but was forced to leave the country in 1983. She came to the United States where she obtained political asylum.

The event is sponsored by Elizabeth Eames (Bates College), TASDLAC, Abraham Peck and USM. Light refreshments will be served. The campus is located at 51 Westminster St.