WHO: Panelists: Rahim Armat, managing partner, Kodoom.com, cultural events search engine
Mucahit Bilici, assistant professor of sociology, City University of New York
Jordan Elgrably, co-founder, The Levantine Center, and creator of Sultans of Satire

WHAT: “Islamaphobia and Comedy” panel discussion and show

WHERE &
WHEN: Panel Discussion: Room 401, Fisher Bennett Hall, University of Pennsylvania Noon, Jan. 16, 2009

Sultans of Satire “The Inauguration Comedy Tour”: Lawrence Hall, Rosemont College 7 p.m., Jan. 16, 2009

These days it’s hard to find much to laugh about when discussing the Middle East. The University of Pennsylvania’s Middle East Center hopes to lighten the conversation when it presents a forum on “Islamaphobia and Comedy” and the Sultans of Satire “Inauguration Comedy Tour on Jan. 16. The noon panel discussion is free and open to the public. Additional information is available at mec.sas.upenn.edu/events/index.html.

Later that night, Noel Elgraby and special guests Elham Jazab and Mike Batayeh, comics collectively known as the Sultans of Satire, will perform in a comedy show at Rosemont College co-sponsored by the Middle East Center at Penn and the Levantine Center. Ticket information is available at events.kodoom.com/en/22699341/Sultans-Satire-Inauguration-Bryn-Mawr.