Weekly Discussion to Help with Understanding about Islam
An interfaith student association at University of Oklahoma is holding its first weekly discussion on Islam Monday to generate a better understanding of Muslims and Islam.
The Interfaith Dialogue Student Association organized “Questions About Islam” to allow members of the OU community to ask questions about what Muslims believe and Islam’s stance on issues like terrorism, women’s rights and democracy, according to an event flier.
There are about 7 million Muslims in America, according to the Council on American-Islamic Relations, and Islam is one of the fastest growing religions in America and around the world.
Students can also come to the weekly sessions to share their own beliefs, Osman Bayindir, a member of the association said. These discussions may reveal that Islam, Christianity and Judaism has more in common than most people know.
“There is no conflict between these religions,” Bayindir said. “They are all Abrahamic religions.”
The association is hoping to change negative opinions about Islam by offering a peaceful environment where students of all beliefs can discuss Islam, Bayindir said.
More than half of Muslim Americans responding to a 2011 PEW Research poll said that it had become more difficult to be a Muslim in America since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
Bayindir said he hopes discussions will help the community understand that Islam and terrorism are incompatible, Bayindir said.
“A Muslim cannot be a terrorist, and a terrorist cannot be a Muslim,” Bayindir said.
As well, it’s a misconception to think Islam and Democracy are totally incompatible, Bayindir said.
“Human rights, women’s rights, men’s rights, kid’s rights – everything exists in Islam,” Bayindir said. “What I have lived so far - it’s a democracy.”
The association will have speakers from the community come talk about various subjects, Bayindir said. Malaka Elyazgi, a Muslim woman who studied sociology and women’s studies at OU, will come during one of the sessions to talk about women and Islam. Elyazgi is on the Commission of the Status of Women.
The goal of the association in promoting discussions like “Questions About Islam” is to promote understanding, clear up misconceptions and promote peace, Bayindir said.
The weekly discussions will be held at the Physical Science Center every Monday from 5 to 6 p.m. this semester.
Source: oudaily
There are about 7 million Muslims in America, according to the Council on American-Islamic Relations, and Islam is one of the fastest growing religions in America and around the world.
Students can also come to the weekly sessions to share their own beliefs, Osman Bayindir, a member of the association said. These discussions may reveal that Islam, Christianity and Judaism has more in common than most people know.
“There is no conflict between these religions,” Bayindir said. “They are all Abrahamic religions.”
The association is hoping to change negative opinions about Islam by offering a peaceful environment where students of all beliefs can discuss Islam, Bayindir said.
More than half of Muslim Americans responding to a 2011 PEW Research poll said that it had become more difficult to be a Muslim in America since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
Bayindir said he hopes discussions will help the community understand that Islam and terrorism are incompatible, Bayindir said.
“A Muslim cannot be a terrorist, and a terrorist cannot be a Muslim,” Bayindir said.
As well, it’s a misconception to think Islam and Democracy are totally incompatible, Bayindir said.
“Human rights, women’s rights, men’s rights, kid’s rights – everything exists in Islam,” Bayindir said. “What I have lived so far - it’s a democracy.”
The association will have speakers from the community come talk about various subjects, Bayindir said. Malaka Elyazgi, a Muslim woman who studied sociology and women’s studies at OU, will come during one of the sessions to talk about women and Islam. Elyazgi is on the Commission of the Status of Women.
The goal of the association in promoting discussions like “Questions About Islam” is to promote understanding, clear up misconceptions and promote peace, Bayindir said.
The weekly discussions will be held at the Physical Science Center every Monday from 5 to 6 p.m. this semester.
Source: oudaily
