UCSB’s Middle East Studies program hosted University of Michigan historian Kathryn Babayan earlier this month to discuss her book, “The City as Anthology: Eroticism and Urbanity in Early Modern Isfahan.” Babayan spoke about the medium she used to uncover the lives of 17th-century Isfahan residents and migrants—family archives. She said the seldom-viewed records revealed details of relationships and attitudes toward sex that provide a new perspective on the city’s documented history.
UC Santa Barbara religious studies professor Juan Campo and Arabic language lecturer Magda Campo spoke last week on Jewish kosher food and Islamic halal food, and they prepared a chicken and couscous meal for a CalFresh enrollment party co-hosted by UCSB Health & Wellness, Thrive, and the Educational Opportunity Program. The event publicized the CalFresh program and UCSB’s Halal and Kosher Grocery Program for food-insecure students who observe these religions’ dietary laws.
UC Santa Barbara biopsychology major Kiana Ranjbaran devotes herself to the study of Islamic poet Rumi and holds an internship with the Rumi Education Center via the Department of Religious Studies. She says everyone can benefit from reading Rumi, who writes about the interconnectedness of humanity, the world, and the divine.