Excerpt:
A panel of Oregon professors and other experts on the Middle East will try to ease "Islamophobia" and debunk myths about Middle Eastern culture during a two-day conference beginning today at Southern Oregon University.
"Debunking the Clash of Civilizations: Understanding Islam, Islamophobia and the Middle East" will include presentations and question-and-answer sessions aimed at spreading awareness about a culture many believe is misunderstood in America.
"We feel that there's a big need for much better understanding of both the Middle East and Islam," said Herbert Rothschild, chair of Peace House in Ashland, which is co-sponsoring the event along with the SOU United Nations Club.