Leeds Metropolitan University will host a public round-table discussion with three acclaimed poets of Muslim heritage. These poets, Imtiaz Dharker, Moniza Alvi and John Siddique.

It is a free event and will be held on Wednesday 20^th October from 50.30pm to 7.30pm at the Humanities Building, Broadcasting Place, Leeds Metropolitan University.

The event will begin with readings from their work, followed by a Q & A. After a short break, there will be an approximately hour-long discussion about their poetic output, themes, context and literary form, and broader issues in relation to demonization of Muslims, stereotyping, the politics of reception, etc. Dr Claire Chambers will chair the conversation and the event is supported by a British Academy Small Grant. Copies of the poets’ books will be on sale on the evening, and there will be opportunities to have your editions signed.

Please RSVP Claire Chambers on c.chambers@leedsmet.ac.ukif you would like to attend this free event, to give us a clearer idea of the audience size. See map at http://www.leedsmet.ac.uk/study/campusmaps231109.pdf – room tbc.

John Siddique, born in 1960s’ Rochdale to an Irish Catholic mother and an Indian Muslim father, has written five volumes of poetry, including The Prize and Recital: An Almanac.

Poet, artist and film-maker Imtiaz Dharker has lived in, and writes about Pakistan, India and Britain in her five collections to date, such as A Terrorist At My Table and Leaving Fingerprints.

Born in Lahore, Pakistan, and raised in England, Moniza Alvi is the author of seven poetry collections, including, most recently, the selected works volume Split World: Poems 1990-2005, and Europa (both 2008).

We look forward to welcoming both Leeds Met staff/students and the public to what promises to be a stimulating evening of poetry and discussion.