The Committee for the Study of Culture and Religion and the Religious Studies Club are sponsoring a panel discussion, “Revolution in the Middle East: Political and Religious Implications.”

The discussion will take place Monday, February 28, at 8:15 p.m. in Sally Johnson Auditorium (Room 247), Johnson Hall, Oakland Avenue and Tenth Street. The event is free and open to the community. Parking is free in non-reserved spaces on campus after 5:00 p.m.

The discussion will focus on the political firestorm affecting areas such as Northern Africa (Egypt, Libya, Tunisia and Morocco) and other countries in Asia (Yemen, Iran and Bahrain) as well as issues dividing the Middle East and their implications on the Western Hemisphere.

Guest speakers include Doug Penhallegon, the 2010-2011 commonwealth speaker for the Pennsylvania Humanities Council and an adjunct professor in IUP's Political Science Department.

Penhallegon also teaches in the history department at Duquesne University and in the School of Leadership and Professional Advancement. His fields of expertise include contemporary Islamic-Western relations, Middle East politics, and peace building. He has also lectured on the debate over the supposed “clash of civilizations” between the Muslim and Western worlds.

Penhallegon has master's degrees from Duquesne, in history and liberal studies, and a certificate in National Security and Intelligence Studies from Point Park University.

He will be joined by IUP students Omar Assef, from Egypt, and Adina Disney, who has traveled in Israel. The discussion will be moderated by Dr. Theresa Smith, IUP Religious Studies faculty member.