news

'Serial' Source Visits Campus

Primary tabs

Listeners of “Serial,” the world’s most downloaded podcast, can get an in-person update on the case of Adnan Syed on campus next week with a visit from Rabia Chaudry.

Chaudry, a lawyer, first contacted “Serial” producer Sarah Koenig asking her to look into her friend’s murder case from 15 years ago. Koenig, then a producer with NPR’s “This American Life,” took on the story, which became its own 12-week series exploring the death of a teenage girl, Hae Min Lee, in Baltimore and whether her accused killer got a fair trial. (Serial began as a spinoff of This American Life.)

“What’s so thrilling about having her is that it makes the story real,” said Sameera Omar, a psychology major and president of the Muslim Student Association, which is hosting the event. "It's necessary for students to realize that this isn't just a glamorous show with a fascinating plot and complex characters."

Syed, at age 19, was sentenced to life plus 30 years in prison for the murder of Lee, his ex-girlfriend. Serial spent much of its time exploring the evidence in the case and trial itself. One episode explored how Syed’s Islamic faith may have been a factor in the case.

“It’s really necessary to bring someone like her to campus with all the coverage going on — not just in terms of ‘Serial,’ but world events,” Omar said. “It’s beneficial for students to understand there are very different perspectives for looking at a certain faith or culture. I hope that bringing Chaudry to campus allows us all to recognize that it's our duty to speak out against injustice and seek to understand others."

Chaudry will give an overview of the case and the podcast’s reach (it’s been downloaded more than 5 million times), updates on the case, and time for questions and answers.

The event begins at 7 p.m. in room 152 of the Clough Commons. Tickets are $10. Purchase online.

 

Groups

Status

  • Workflow Status:Published
  • Created By:Kristen Bailey
  • Created:02/02/2015
  • Modified By:Fletcher Moore
  • Modified:10/07/2016