Cycling in search of truth

Rebecca Lowe, a journalist with a passion for the Middle East, will be speaking in Perth on Tuesday, November 7, at The Salutation Hotel, about her epic cycle from London to Tehran in the wake of the Arab Spring.

Rebecca is speaking as part of the RSGS Inspiring People talks programme, in partnership with Tiso.

Her epic cycle journey from London to Tehran spanned a year from July 2015, but was never designed to be a feat of athleticism. Instead, Rebecca wanted to shed light on what she deemed a hugely misunderstood and misrepresented area of our world.

As a journalist who specialises in covering stories about the Middle East, human rights and refugee rights, Rebecca was, and remains frustrated by the political legitimacy prescribed to Islamophobia, as well as the increasing fear and mistrust between East and West.

Rebecca said: “For the most part, it is a fear based on ignorance and misunderstanding, fuelled by the media and politicians.

“Countries in the Middle East are far from the volatile hub of fanaticism and terror many believe. They are deeply complex, diverse and rich with contradiction - and generally extremely friendly towards visitors, with a strong culture of hospitality.”

Tickets are available at the door or online until noon the day before. See rsgs.org/events for links.