During the World Music Festival held in September of this year in Chicago, Naeif Rafeh and the al Sham Ensemble played authentic Middle Eastern music that left listeners breathless, and showed them a taste of a culture not of their own. Naeif Rafeh has been based in Chicago for ten years. Join discussion...

The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City is opening an exhibit on Islamic art today, September 23rd. The exhibit will feature manuscripts, miniatures, carpets, and architecture since 7th Century Middle East. This exhibit opens at 9:30 on the 23rd and will remain open through October, closing on Halloween. Join discussion...

I.M. Pei designed the Museum of Islamic Art, which is located on a man-made island in Doha, Qatar. It is a serene building, sharp in its chiseled angles and simplistic in its geometric from. It fuses past and present architectural styles, which I.M. Pei believes is crucial for all architecture -- to have roots. He says too many building designs are overly modern. We have to acknowledge the past. The Museum of Islamic Art fuses urban modernism and primitive fundamentalism, both characteristic of the Middle East. I.M. Pei is most notable for designing the Louvre and the East Wing of the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. Join discussion...

Afghanistan, a chaotic war-torn country, is hosting a major art exhibit at the Queen's Palace in Kabul. The exhibit is called Living Traditions. Coordinated by former Tate Gallery curator Jemima Montagu, Living Traditions unites contemporary artists from Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan. The exhibit focuses on modern interpretations of two regional art traditions: calligraphy and miniature painting. Artists from the troubled region reflect modern themes with traditional style: Khadim Ali, an Afghan refugee in Pakistan, references AK-47s with the legendary figure Rustam. This combination references the Taliban. Other art represents the reconstruction of Afghanistan, or simply the pervading social atmosphere of the time. All in all, Living Traditions is an attempt to bring a divided region together with the power of shared heritage and an appreciation for art. Join discussion...