WEST PLAINS, Mo. – If you’ve been curious about the humanitarian crisis in Syria and how it affects the rest of the world, you’ll soon have a chance to learn more at a live event in West Plains.
On Feb. 25, the University/Community Programs (U/CP) Department at Missouri State University-West Plains will host “Understanding Syria: A War Doctor’s Memoir” at 2 p.m. in the West Plains Civic Center theater. The free community event will feature a book reading by Dr. Tarif Bakdash, a Syrian-American neurologist who travels back to the Middle East periodically to treat refugees of the Syrian war.
Bakdash recently co-wrote a book with Dr. W.D. Blackmon, head of the Department of English at Missouri State University in Springfield, entitled Inside Syria – A Physician’s Memoir: My Life as a Child, a Student, and an MD in an Era of War, which details Bakdash’s experiences growing up in Syria and his recent journeys back to help its beleaguered people. Bakdash will answer questions about his experiences and sign copies of the book following the reading.
Organizers pointed out the Feb. 25 reading will be the world premiere signing event for the book, which was published by Cune Press of Seattle. Copies will be available for purchase at the reading. “This event is already getting a lot of positive attention since the war in Syria a big topic in the news these days, and people are curious to know more,” said Jennifer Moore, coordinator of theater and events for the U/CP Department. “It’s a unique opportunity to hear directly from someone who works on the ground in that environment.”
Moore encouraged people to arrive early if they want to ensure a seat, since this is not a ticketed event.
Bakdash, who trained at Harvard University and The Cleveland Clinic and now works for Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin, was born and raised in Syria and went to school with Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad. When Bakdash was a child, his mother, a secretary, was severely maimed by a letter bomb that was intended for her boss.
After many years working in the U.S., Bakdash returned to Syria in an attempt to reform the system from within; however, he was disheartened and frustrated with the corruption and Soviet-style thinking. Eventually, he decided to make his life in the United States as a pediatric neurologist. Since the civil war broke out in Syria, Bakdash has returned to treat Syrian children at Za’atari Refugee Camp in Jordan.
“The writing style of this book, most of which was written by Professor Blackmon of MSU, is exceptional,” said Moore. “Bakdash has lived through some experiences that make you shake your head in amazement.”
Later that same day, to cap off this year’s February Film Series featuring movies set in Central Asia and the Middle East, the U/CP Department will host a free community reception in the civic center lobby entitled “Journey Through the Mideast and Central Asia” at 5:30 p.m. The event will feature ethnic food and a fashion show of traditional clothing items from the region on loan from community members. Both Bakdash and Blackmon will be at the evening reception, Moore said.
The reception will be followed by a showing of the final film of the series, “The Kite Runner,” rated PG-13, in the theater. The theme of this year’s series was based on the university’s Common Reader for the 2015-16 academic year, The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini.
For more information about these and other events sponsored by the Missouri State-West Plains U/CP Department, call 417-255-7966 or visit the department’s website.