We are very excited about the Feast of Faiths gala coming up June 10. Come join us for a culinary delight and a special performance by the United Nations Association International Choir. Food and fellowship are a winning combination!

Last month our Many Faces of Islam panel featured Muslims of Shi'a, Sunni, Ismai'li, Turkish, Anglo, Saudi, Iranian, Ugandan, and African-American affiliations and backgrounds (some of these overlap) who shared their inspiring personal stories. The positive response has encouraged us to continue this type of programming in the future. Please stay tuned for more information.

If you haven't seen the Light of the Sufis: The Mystical Arts of Islam exhibit yet at the MFAH, you are missing a rare treat. The chronological and geographic breadth of the artifacts is breath-taking. The museum has planned an exciting series of special events in coordination with this exhibit. The exhibit's curator, Prof. Francesca Leoni, Assistant Curator of the Arts of the Islamic World at the MFAH, will give a general, introductory talk about "What is Islamic Art" Saturday, June 19 (see details below).

The Boniuk Center is currently undergoing a leadership transition. As the Center's outgoing interim director, I thank you for your patience, support and encouragement during this year of strategic planning. With the future dedicated to harnessing the Center's resources for youth initiatives the Center will be positioned to reach a broad and vital audience. It has been a privilege serving Rice University and the City of Houston in the Center's mission of building peaceful coexistence and religious tolerance. The Center was only able to continue its programming during this year of reorganization with the diligence of staff members BJ Smith and Von Nguyen and development director of special projects Debbie Diamond. I thank them for their dedication and wise counsel.