The Sacred & The Selfie: Technology & Performance at the Hajj
This lecture examines a modern pilgrimage artefact (i.e., the selfie) to gain a deeper appreciation of how Hajj pilgrims encounter and make sense of their journey in a globalized, hyper-connected era. It explores how media practices at Hajj are part of a broader discourse about what it means to be a Muslim in a post 9/11 world, and the diverse contemporary discourses that inform people’s religious/spiritual experiences of pilgrimage.
Nadia Caidi, PhD, is a Professor at the Faculty of Information, University of Toronto. Trained in Linguistics and Communication, she also holds an MLIS and a Ph.D. in Information Studies from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). She joined the University of Toronto, and since then has been teaching, researching, and mentoring students in the areas of migrant information behaviour, information policy, and the social implications of information and communication technologies. Dr. Caidi was the 2016 President of the International Association for Information Science & Technology (ASIS&T), and the President of the Canadian Association for Information Science (CAIS) in 2011. She has extensively consulted on information and media practices for a range of governmental agencies and foundations.
Date: Sunday January 27, 2019
Time: 2 – 4 pm
Location: Lower Social Room, Noor Cultural Centre
Admission: $5