Middle East Expert to Discuss Egypt at Washington University

The symposium will feature a roundtable discussion and presentations on the latest developments in Egypt. 

Shehata, an associate professor of Middle East studies in the Department of International and Area Studies at the University of Oklahoma, is a specialist on Egyptian politics and the Muslim Brotherhood.

The title of his address is “Egypt: From Uprising to ‘Coup’ to Democracy?”

Shehata, an Egyptian native, also will participate in the roundtable discussion during the two-hour symposium, which is sponsored by the Department of Jewish, Islamic and Near Eastern Languages and Cultures (JINELC) and the College of Arts & Sciences.

“Events in Egypt have moved very fast and often in confusing directions over the past several months. A lot is at stake in Egypt and in other countries, including the U.S., in understanding the complexity of these events and the outcomes of current struggles,” said Nancy Y. Reynolds, PhD, an associate professor of JINELC and of history, said in a press release. “We are fortunate to be able to benefit from Dr. Shehata’s tremendous expertise in Egyptian politics, with particular emphasis on the Muslim Brothers, Egyptian elections and Egyptian workers."

The other presenters are:

• Arts & Sciences senior Mahroh Jahangiri, an international and area studies and political science major, who will give “An Egypt Primer for Those Too Embarrassed to Ask.”
• Anne-Marie McManus, PhD, an assistant professor of modern Arabic literature and culture in JINELC, who will discuss “Writers, Intellectuals and the Struggle for Change.”