'Muslim Journeys' Discussion Series Begins May 30

The Somerville Public Library is launching a new book discussion series called "Muslim Journeys," according to an announcement from the city of Somerville.

The discussion series is funded by the National Endowment for the Humanities and the American Library Association and "aims to familiarize the American public with Islam and the cultural heritage of Islamic civilizations around the world," the announcement says.

The first event in the series, which takes place May 30, will be a discussion of Jim al-Khalili’s book, House of Wisdom: How Arabic Science Saved Ancient Knowledge and Gave Us the Renaissance.

The book brings readers into the world of the "Arab Enlightenment," a period of Islamic history known for tolerance and intellectual and scientific discovery.

The May 30 discussion will be led by Tufts University professor Malik Mufti, a professor of international relations and politics in the Middle East, the announcement says.

The discussion takes place at the Somerville Public Library at 6:30 p.m. Stay tuned for more events in the series.