The Middle East Center has active partnerships with the Philadelphia Arts Community in sponsoring events that help educate the public on the diversity and complexities of the Middle East and Islam. In February 2006, for example, we organized with the Wilma Theatre two symposia, attended by over 400 people, on “Women and Islam” and “Current State of Affairs in Iraq” to coincide with its production of Heather Raffo’s renowned one-woman play, “9 Parts of Desire.” We also co-sponsored in 2006 after-show discussions with InterAct Theatre Company and innovative narrative, film and musical performances on Iraq and Israel/Palestine as part of Philadelphia’s annual First Person Arts Festival.