Hashim Al-Tawil
Instructor, Henry Ford Community College, Dearborn, Michigan
Discipline: Art History
Research: The Arabic Calligraphy of the Palatine Chapel in Palermo and Other Related Buildings in Sicily During the Norman Reign
University of Catania, Catania, Italy
May-September 2007

Hashim Al-Tawil with Prof Jovanni Melvuri, U. of Palermo

“The Fulbright Program provided me with this historic opportunity to examine firsthand the ceiling of the Cappella Palatina, and meet and exchange cultural and academic information with Sicilian colleagues,” he said. “The Fulbright Program is truly a global ambassador that bridges cultures and people in most affectionate ways.”

Examining Cappela Palatina Ceiling

While seeking a Fulbright Scholar award, Al-Tawil contacted a few universities in Sicily and was fortunate to receive a positive response from the University of Canatia. “My intention was to study the Palatine Chapel ceiling in Palermo along with other still-standing monuments from the same period,” said Al-Tawil.

Once in Sicily, Al-Tawil did much more than study the chapel ceiling. Not only was he able to study the ceiling, but he was also able to document in detail the major monuments of the 12th and 13th century Arab-Norman period in the Palermo region; conduct research at various university and museum libraries where he had access to rare publications; examine firsthand the carved band of Arabic Kufic inscription at the base of the dome of the Marturana church and ascertain its linguistic content; attend a Fulbright meeting in Rome where he met other Fulbright members and exchanged information; and be interviewed by Giornale di Cicilia—a major regional daily in Sicily.

Kufic Biblical verses at dome base, Martorana church, Palermo

The Fulbright Scholar found all of his new colleagues extremely supportive. He had several opportunities to meet with faculty and graduate students in the history, archaeology and Arabic studies departments of the Universities of Palermo, Catania and Siracusa. At Catania, he gave a lecture on his research, which was attended by faculty members as well as graduate and undergraduate students. He also participated in faculty seminars which included other foreign scholars, notably a visiting scholar from Morocco and three visiting archaeologists from the University of Malta.

Faculty members and visiting scholars after lecture reception, Catania

Throughout his Fulbright experience, Al-Tawil felt welcomed by his colleagues and Italy. “I enjoyed my stay in Sicily with pleasant weather, extraordinary fruits, vegetables, bread, and distinct Sicilian cuisine,” said Al-Tawil. “But most importantly, I enjoyed the friendly and warm people I encountered everywhere, and felt at home among them.”

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