Amal Kassir

Amal Kassir, a young Muslim Syrian-American poet,  storyteller and activist, will speak at Missouri Western State University at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 26 in the Kemper Recital Hall, Spratt Hall room 101. The presentation is free and open to the public.

Born and raised in Denver, Colorado, Kassir has performed in 10 countries and more than 45 cities. She has conducted workshops, given lectures and recited her poetry in venues ranging from youth prisons to orphanages to refugee camps to universities to churches to community spaces for the public. She advocates for education and building individual agency in underserved and vulnerable populations, especially through writing.

Kassir’s appearance is sponsored by the Center for Multicultural Education, the International Center, the Department of Communication and Journalism and the Student Government Association.

Missouri Western State University is a comprehensive regional university providing a blend of traditional liberal arts and professional degree programs. The university offers student-centered, high quality instruction that focuses on experience-based learning, community service, and state-of-the-art technology. Missouri Western is located in St. Joseph, Mo., and is committed to the educational, economic, cultural and social development of the region it serves. Visit www.missouriwestern.edu.