Scholar Carol Bier will be exploring the historical roots of Islam in the 2003 Women's History Month Celebratory Lecture at UMBC. Bier's lecture, titled "Islam: Religion and Culture," will take place on Tuesday, March 11, 2003 at 4:30 p.m. in the Skylight Room of UMBC's University Commons. The event is free of charge and open to the public.

The lecture will introduce Islam by considering the Qur'an in historical perspective. Beginning with the five pillars of the religion (creed, prayer, pilgrimage, fasting, alms-giving), Bier will examine the basic tenets of Islam in light of its early historical growth and development into a major world religion. Bier will also explain many misunderstood elements of Islam and generate discussion about a shared heritage of monotheism.

A historian of Islamic art, Carol Bier is Research Associate at The Textile Museum in Washington, DC, where she served as Curator for Eastern Hemisphere Collections for seventeen years. For the past eight years, she has taught about pattern in Islamic art at the Maryland Institute College of Art.

This program is handicapped accessible and sign language interpretation is availableupon advance request. Inquiries regarding the program can be directed to 410-455-2714.

This program is funded by the Maryland Humanities Council in conjunction with the UMBC Women's History Month Planning Committee. UMBC sponsors include the Office of Student Life, President's Commission for Women, the Departments of Women's Studies and Interdisciplinary Studies, Women Involved in Learning and Leadership Program, Women's Center, Center for Women and Information Technology, EnglishLanguage Center, and the Office of the Provost.