Friday, April 11, 2008
The Muslim Student Association’s Islam Awareness Week kicked off Thursday with an open house at the Islamic Center of Lawrence.
Students, professors and Lawrence residents came together on the center’s front lawn to eat and drink traditional foods and “discover the truth about Islam.” Eman Shaiwani, Olathe senior, led groups of visitors on tours of the center and its prayer room. She said the main focus of the open house was to inform people about the Islamic faith and Muslims in their community.
Shaiwani said visitors were surprised by how much they didn’t know about Islam, and the manner in which members of MSA and the center made them feel comfortable in unfamiliar surroundings.
Eman Shawiwani, Olathe senior, talks with professor Eve Levin during the open house at the Islamic Center yesterday afternoon. Yesterday was the first day of Islam Awarness Week.
“We’re pretty open,” Shaiwani said. “The ability to come interact, talk and spend time together and the chance to learn about Islam through Muslims and not through the media is one thing I’ve been getting from a lot of people. It’s surprising for some because it’s a lot different from what they’ve always known or always heard.”
MSA’s Islamic Awareness Week activities will resume on Monday, as speakers from all over the United States arrive on campus to lecture on topics such as the role of women in Islam and Islamic contributions to art. All lectures will he held at the Kansas Union.
MSA president Ala Abdel-Halim, a first-year pharmacy student from Palestine, said the group wanted to show students the personal side of Islam rather than the view of violent extremists often portrayed in popular media.
He said people have associated Muslims with terrorism and violence because of the events on September 11, even though Islam preaches peace and “submission” to God.
“The image of Islam in the media is very distorted,” Abdel-Halim said. “It often portrays Islam as a violent religion or depicts followers as terrorists or radical thinking. We will show that we are not those things.”
Najabat Abbasi, director of the Islamic Center of Lawrence, said the media had perpetuated the stereotypes that surrounded Muslims after Sept. 11. He said harming innocent people was directly opposed to the preaching’s of the faith, and those who commit acts of terrorism are using Islam for their own personal gain.
“There are fanatics in every religion, but I think we got bad publicity after 9/11,” Abbasi said. “Before that no one had such a bad conception about Islam.”
Abbasi said he thought if people learned more about the true nature of Islam, there wouldn’t be so many negative stereotypes associated with the faith and its believers.
“We are trying to make people aware of Islam,” Abbasi said. “There is a lot of misunderstanding and misconception about Islam.”
The MSA was founded on campus more than 20 years ago and was the sole Islamic organization in Lawrence until the founding of the Islamic Society of Lawrence.
—Edited by Russell Davies
Islam Week targets misunderstood beliefs
9/11 put a harsh stamp on Islam. With the help of Islam ...
Muslims observe holy month
For the next month, Muslims across the world will celebrate Ramadan, a ...
Muslim students answer questions about Islam
Event on the lawn of Stauffer-Flint features dates, desserts and Islamic scholars
Bond: Educate yourself on Islamic faith to ...
This intolerance toward the Islamic faith needs to be stopped here in ...
A journey toward faith
Garrett Fugate decided to convert to Islam after spending time with Lawrence ...
Students experience a different culture through fasting
Fast-a-thon participants helped raised $1,000 for a local cause.
Hungry for awareness
The Muslim Student Association will hold it’s annual Fast-A-Thon Wednesday. The event ...
Religious groups try for more members
Clubs plan events to boost numbers and help students.
Controversial hearings stir Muslims on campus
The Muslim Student Association is worried that Muslims are misrepresented in the ...
Editorial: Religious freedom for all
Tolerance of all religions is important.
Human rights symposium tackles issues, raises awareness
Speakers discuss Muslim culture in the eyes of America.
KU students fast in support of Muslims
A five-day Fast-a-thon has been getting KU students involved in the Muslim ...
Religious communities provide support system for students
The St. Lawrence Center, Chabad Center, Grace Collegiate Ministries and the Islamic ...
Islamic Center hosts Eid celebration
Students and residents alike gather to celebrate the three-day holiday marking the ...
Letter: The big difference between Islam and ...
Bond: Expand your mind in class, enlarge ...
Educational experience should take different religions in to account.
Burqa ban enforced in France, religious group ...
Members of the University of Kansas Muslim Student Association express opposition after ...
Students face religious dilemmas
At the college level, some students find growth in challenging spiritual beliefs.
Ramadan inspires growth for students
Muslim and non-Muslim students fast for the monthlong holiday.
Looking beyond the veil
Muslim students dispel misconceptions about women who cover their heads or faces.
Islamic Center spreads tolerance
Historic rival sects, the Sunnis and Shiites worship together in the Islamic ...
Al-Qaida leader bin Laden dead, body in ...
President Barack Obama confirms Osama bin Laden is dead in national address ...
Hafner: When religion becomes an issue
Details emerging after the Fort Hood shooting have heightened the profile of ...
Students fast for Ramadan
Ramadan is more than just fasting, it’s a celebration with friends and ...
Celebrating Ramadan focuses faith and self-perspective
Observers connect with the Islamic faith and giving back during the holy ...
Danish cartoons affirm value of open commentary
Religions relate pre-marital sex with emotional emptiness
Islam, Catholicism and Judaism may have different doctrine, but all agree on ...
Islamic law conference brings understanding
Raj Bhala said it's important to understand Islamic law and distinguish between ...
‘Jewish Jordan’ talks faith, basketball
Jewish Division 1 player who never played on holy days speaks tonight ...
Far from home
International students talk about what it’s like to be the new kids ...
Events raise awareness during Hate Out Week
‘Tunnel of Oppression’ and ‘Bullied’ call attention to importance of tolerance on ...
Events support breast cancer awareness
Two softball players whose mothers battled the disease will participate in Saturday’s ...
Senator to address violations
At tonight’s meeting, Mason Heilman, Student Rights Committee chair, will face violations ...
Into the Streets with community service
Humanitarian event will feature a speech Nobel Prize winner Jody Williams on ...
International students find their place at Kansas
Three students from other countries relate their experiences fitting in America.
From left: Kimberlee Hinkle, Libby Johnson and Hannah ...
1 comment
Kansas Jayhawk fans hold aloft a reproduction of ...
2 comments
Erin Saupe, a Ph.D. student from St. Cloud, ...
1 comment
0 comments
Armed robbers continue to threaten.
3 comments
Lecture from Greg Mortenson, co-author of New York ...
0 comments
Comments
Use the comment form below to begin a discussion about this content.
Sign in to comment
Or login with:
OpenID