Dr. Yvonne Yazbeck Haddad, professor of Islamic history at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst, will give a lecture, "The Changing Roles of Women in Islam," at 7:30 p.m. April 5 in McDaniel Lounge at Western Maryland College.

The discussion is free, and a reception will be held afterward.

Some Islamic countries, such as Saudi Arabia, have been slow to recognize greater independence for women, while more Western-influenced Muslim cultures, such as those in Bosnia, have promoted women's rights on several fronts.

Dr. Haddad is a nationally known scholar of Islam who specializes in modern Islam, the Koran and Muslims in North America, among other topics.

She is a fellow at the Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding at Georgetown University's School of Foreign Service.

She received her bachelor's degree from Beirut College for Women in Lebanon in 1958.

In 1971, she earned a master's degree from the University of Wisconsin and a doctorate in 1979 from Hartford Seminary.

Information: 857-2294 or 876-2055, Ext. 294.

Individuals who wish to request services such as sign-interpreting are asked to call Lynda Casserly, at 857-2518 or 857-2506, Voice/TTY, weekdays between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., at least one week before the event.