Hashim Tawil

On Tuesday, October 2nd, 2007, local artist and art expert will present a lecture entitled “Arab-Norman monuments in Sicily: Manifestation of Muslim-Christian cultural partnership in the 12th Century,” at the Eugene A. Forfa Auditorium, ASCC Building at Henry Ford Community College in Dearborn, Michigan.

Twelfth century Sicily witnessed the golden age of the Norman reign, especially under King Roger II. It was an age of religious tolerance among Muslims, Christians and Jews; an era of cultural cooperation when Arabic, Greek, and Latin were the official languages of the Norman court. It was an age inherited from the Arab-Muslim era (831-1090) which was characterized by advanced civilization. This lecture will explain aspects of that cultural wealth as seen through the still standing architectural monuments of the time in Palermo such as the Cappela Palatina, the Martorana, La Zisa, La Cuba, Palermo Cathedral, and Favara. The lecture will also introduce other architectural monuments such as Monreale Cathedral, Cefalu Cathedral, and buildings in Siracusa, Nicosia, and Messina. These monuments reflect an astonishing hybrid of Islamic-Arabic art and Christian-Byzantine style, adorned with Arabic Kufic and Naskh calligraphy complemented by Latin inscription.

The lecture will be accompanied by digital images. It will be 45 minutes long followed by Q & A. session.

This lecture is an introduction and summary of Dr. Al-Tawil’s Fulbright research that he conducted during the summer of 2007 in Italy. For more information please email: hfcc_msa@yahoo.com or call: (313) 850-3376.