Beyond the Headlines

About the Book

Beyond the Headlines: A Deeper Look at Middle Eastern Culture Take a look at today’s newspaper. There will almost certainly be relevant news articles that involve the people of the Middle East. But what do these headlines tell us? How do we understand what is happening in Syria, Iran, Egypt, and Qatar through brief articles and sound bites? Who are the people behind those headlines? Beyond the Headlines is for readers who are frustrated by fragments of news. This book allows readers to discover and explore Middle Eastern culture without dogma or a political agenda. Beyond the Headlines reveals the true Middle East.

About the Author

Professor and writer Areej Zufari was born in the United States to Middle Eastern parents. Her interest in Middle Eastern culture began during her childhood in Arkansas where she also discovered her love for writing and painting. She earned a Masters degree in Liberal Studies from Rollins College and a Bachelors degree from Southern Methodist University. After 2001, she took on the demanding role of Director of Media and Communications for the Islamic Society of Central Florida. Her experiences speaking in the media revealed to her the numerous misconceptions Americans hold about the Middle East and Islam. Inspired by the importance of education to promote peace, Zufari enrolled in Hartford Seminary and earned a graduate certificate in Islamic Chaplaincy. Now, as a professor at Valencia College in Orlando, Florida, Zufari teaches Humanities courses full-time and writes during her weekends and summers.