Speakers from around the world will shed light on the events following the Sept. 11 attacks tonight.

A forum titled “Perspectives on Terrorism” will be at 6 p.m. in the Sun Room of the Memorial Union.

The forum, which was planned by the Institute of World Affairs and the University Committee on Lectures, is part of the continuing set of forums put together since the terrorist attacks nearly a month ago.

The featured panel will include Rehman Rashid, Malaysian Muslim journalist who spent time in Afghanistan among the Taliban; Etgar Keret, Israeli novelist; Ghassan Zaqtan, Palestinian West Bank publisher, poet and playwright; Aida Nassralla, Arab/Israeli poet; and Robert Baum, ISU associate professor of religious studies.

Christopher Rossi, the former director of the National Security Council under the Clinton administration and director of the Iowa Humanities board, will moderate the forum.

Pat Miller, program coordinator for the ISU committee on lectures, said most of the speakers are in Iowa because they are participating in the International Writers Workshop at the University of Iowa through the Humanities Iowa program.

“It’s very lucky that we were able to get them here to speak,” Miller said. “I think it will be great, and it should prove especially interesting to have [Rashid], the Muslim journalist who spent time with the Taliban, as part of the forum to get a different perspective on everything.”

Baum said he hopes the people in attendance will get a deeper understanding of recent events through the forum.

“In no way do I or Muslims or most people condone what occurred, but there are many grievances and concerns people have about American policy overseas,” Baum said. “I hope the people in attendance . understand the concerns of others and what motivates radicals in situations like what recently occurred.”