Description
In 1978, Edward Said published Orientalism, which served as a critique of Western scholarship. Said argued persuasively that Western scholars viewed the rest of the world, and particularly the Middle East and Muslim world, as the perennial ‘Other’ and, more troublingly, the ‘Lesser’.
Said’s work revolutionised several fields of study and has influenced academics, policy-makers and politicians ever since. Nearly five decades on, Said’s work has proven to be both profound and even prophetic, as current perceptions about Muslims and the Middle East, including Islamophobia, the recent refugee crisis and regional conflicts, all affirm and prove the continuing presence and dominance of Orientalism.
Join Professor Saeed Khan as he explores Orientalism as Said defined and described it and how it persists as a central component, explicitly or otherwise, in so many contemporary conversations.
Please note, this venue and time has changed from the printed programme.
About the Speaker

Saeed Khan
Saeed Khan is a cultural historian and commentator based at Wayne State University in Detroit, where he teaches in the departments of History and Global Studies. His academic expertise includes Islamic and Middle Eastern history, Islamic political thought, and transnational identities. Alongside his academic work, he is a frequent analyst for international media outlets. Saeed is the founder of the Center for the Study of Trans-Atlantic Diasporas, a policy institute focused on ethnic and immigrant communities in North America and Europe.
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