I’m off to London this afternoon for the second time in as many weeks for the Journey into America screening and panel discussion at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London.

I’m very happy to have my lady, Mel, joining me this time around. She’s exciting for the thrill of it all.

This panel discussion will be the first that I’ve participated in. Some of the topics include:

1) Nation and nation-making vs ummah – secular vs religious
2) Comparative questions of history – the different trajectories of Muslim migration in America and Britain
3) Muslim cultural identity formations post 9/11
4) Media representations of Muslims and documentary film making – commercial vs independent approach

This will be a hectic trip. We land at Heathrow airport at 4:50.  I’ve arranged for a car service to pick us up and scoot us quickly over to Russell Square for a 6:30 start. It’s going to be tight.

Mel and I then fly back on the first flight from Stansted back to Dublin tomorrow morning. That leaves at 6:50.  We both have to teach tomorrow morning.

God’s speed.