Friday, October 31, Noon - 1:00pm, MATC Truax Cafeteria. Live Middle Eastern Music by the Salaam Band. "Salaam" is the Arabic word for "peace." The world music ensemble, Salaam, explores a cultural mosaic of music from countries of the Middle East and Northern Africa. Their innovative arrangements, improvisations, and compositions reflect the traditional styles of these countries as well as the band's fresh interpretations. Their musical goal is to bring the beauty of other cultures to children and adults alike. The group is based in Indiana and will appear in Madison as part of a Midwest tour.

Monday, November 3, 11:30am - 12:30pm, MATC Truax Rm. 142AB. Joe Elder, "Recent Events in Afghanistan." Joe Elder is a professor of Sociology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He was born in Tehran and has lived in Afghanistan. His presentation will provide an overview of ethnic and cultural issues in Afghanistan and the current political situation.

Monday, November 3, 7:00pm, MATC Mitby Theater. Live music performance by Seeds of Sun jazz quintet. Seeds of Sun is an Israeli contemporary jazz ensemble. Embracing old and new Israeli repertoire alongside original Israeli jazz compositions, the band premieres new compositions along with Israeli jazz favorites. Guitar virtuoso Maury Epstein is one of the hot young musicians on the New York jazz scene today. This event is made possible by collaboration with the Madison Jewish Community Council and the UW Hillel Foundation.

Thursday, November 6, 7:00pm, MATC DTEC (211 N. Carroll St) Rm. D240. Ali Abunimah, "Reporting the Middle East: Media Distortions and Democracy." Abunimah is a researcher in social policy at the University of Chicago, the Vice President of the Arab American Action Network in Chicago, and is a frequent Middle East expert on TV and radio -- including the BBC, CNN, and Pacifica. This event is made possible by collaboration with the Palestine-Israel Peace and Justice Alliance (PIPAJA).

Monday, November 10, Noon - 4:00pm MATC Truax Student Lounge (Rm. 142C). Middle Eastern Film Festival. Free showings of movies and films capturing life, culture, and social issues of the Middle East. The film festival will include a mix of documentary and feature films (film fest titles to be announced).

Tuesday, November 11, Noon - 4:00pm MATC Truax Student Lounge (Rm. 142C). Middle Eastern Film Festival. Free showings of movies and films capturing life, culture, and social issues of the Middle East. The film festival will include a mix of documentary and feature films (film fest titles to be announced).

Wednesday, November 12, 6:00 - 10:00pm MATC Mitby Theater. Middle Eastern Film Festival. Free showings of movies and films capturing life, culture, and social issues of the Middle East. The film festival will include a mix of documentary and feature films (film fest titles to be announced).

Friday, November 14, 11:30 - 12:30, MATC Truax Rm. 142B. Ali Abootalebi, "The Struggle for Democracy in Iran: What are the Prospects?" Abootalebi is a professor of political science at the University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire. He is the author of Democracy in Developing Countries and Islam and Democracy, two books which explore the tensions between traditional religion and democracy movements in the Middle East among other issues. This event is made possible by collaboration with the Wisconsin Institute for Peace and Conflict Studies.

Monday, November 17, Noon - 1:00, MATC Truax Rm. 142AB. MATC Faculty Panel, "Living in the Middle East." MATC Faculty who have lived in the Middle East will discuss their experiences and share their cultural insights.

Wednesday, November 19, 11:30 - 12:30 and 1:00 - 2:00, MATC Truax Student Lounge (Rm. 142C). Terrence Dolan, "Doing Business and Research in Saudi Arabia." Dolan is the Director of the Fitchburg Technology Campus and travels nearly monthly to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, to conduct business there. He will talk about doing business in Saudi Arabia, working with the royal family and other related issues.

Wednesday, November 19, 7:00 - 8:30pm, MATC DTEC (211 N. Carroll St) Rm. D240. Milan Rai, "Regime Unchanged: Why the War On Iraq Changed Nothing." Milan Rai is one of the founders of the British branch of Voices in the Wilderness, a citizen group offering humanitarian aid and assistance to ordinary Iraqi civilians and the most vulnerable of Iraqi society, especially children. Rai has also authored of two recent books on Iraq and argues that the US and Britain continue to support fascist Ba'athist leaders during reconstruction, and are becoming entangled in a conflict that is likely to last for many years to come.

Monday, November 24, 11:30 - 12:30 MATC Truax Rm. 142AB. Shirin Ezekiel, "Perspectives on the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict." Ezekiel is a representative of the Jewish Agency for Israel, Madison. She is an Israeli citizen working for the Jewish Agency for Israel in Madison and a visiting expert in residence in Madison with the UW Hillel program. She holds an MA in political science and communication from Barilan University in Israel and speaks regularly on this topic. This event is made possible by collaboration with the Madison Jewish Community Council and the UW Hillel Foundation.

Wednesday, November 26, 11:00 - 2:00 MATC Truax Cafeteria. Middle Eastern Culture and Cuisine. Middle Eastern food and entertainment in the Truax Cafeteria.

Tuesday, December 2, 12:30 - 1:30 MATC Truax Rm. 142A. "An Introduction to Arabic Language and Script" with Yousef Al Ali. Al Ali is a native of Jordan and formerly worked there in the national Ministry of Health. He is an experienced instructor of Arabic, and has offered multiple non-credit classes in Arabic for community enjoyment and participation.

Thursday, December 4, Noon - 1:00pm, MATC Truax Student Lounge (Rm. 142C). "Daily Life in Israel: Students Talking to Students." MATC will host the visit by a panel of Israeli students taking part in a tour of the United States with the Israel at Heart program. These everyday students will share their perspectives of life and answer questions from students. This event is made possible by collaboration with the Madison Jewish Community Council and the UW Hillel Foundation.

Friday, December 5, Noon-1:00pm, MATC Student Lounge (Rm 142C). Sadira and the Riad Dance Company, "Middle Eastern Dance Performance and Workshop" Sadira and the Riad Dance Company offer regular cultural performances of traditional Arabic dance in the Madison area to schools, community groups, and other events.