Sinclair celebrated International Day of Peace by hosting a “Beyond Sound Bites and Stereotypes: Meeting Islam in Person” program by the Multifaith Campus Alliance and the Muslim Student Association.
The program took place on Wednesday, September 21 at the Sinclair library loggia. It featured a presentation and panel discussion with Muslim faculty members and staff.
Reverend Larry Lindstrom, Multifaith Campus Minister, organized this event so people could share their stories and inform others of the religion of Islam.
“The key goal for us, as the title suggests, when people think of Islam there tends to be an immediate thought of, ‘these folks are terrorists, this is a terrible thing and we need to be frightened of anyone who claims to be [Islamic].’ We hope to put a human face on what it means to be Muslim,” Lindstrom explained.
The program began with a presentation from five different speakers. The speakers provided different perspectives of Islam.
“I’ve asked them to focus on how did they become acquainted to Islam. Either they were born into the faith or if they converted to it. Also, what their experience has been like up to this point like the challenges they have faced being [Muslim] in America. We’re trying to make it clear to folks that to be religious in America, we tend to think that it’s a very easy thing to do and that we’re open to all religions—but for Muslims, it’s not necessarily that way” added Lindstrom.
The speakers consisted of Dr. Ribhi Daoud who is an Economics professor here at Sinclair, Dr Marylin Fischer who taught Philosophy at the University of Dayton for many years but is now retired, Professor Jerry Eddy who has taught First Year Experience for eight years now here at Sinclair, Ms. Rukhi Jan who has been at Sinclair for 15 years and finally Professor Faheem Curtis-Khidr who is a professor in the History Department.
After the presentation, a panel opened up for audience members to comment or ask questions. Some shared their own personal perspectives of Islam.
“We hope these folks help people see that this is what true Islam looks like, and not what headlines on the news” Lindstrom commented.
The program’s purpose was to help people understand what being Muslim in America is like. It was also an opportunity for people who may not know much about Islam to ask questions about the religion. Students and faculty engaged in conversation and showed respect for the religion and Muslims.
International Day of Peace opened up new perspectives of Islam for students and staff here at Sinclair. For any questions, contact Rev. Larry Lindstrom in the Campus Ministry office located in Building 10, Room 310.
Claudia Gomez
Reporter