Islam Fair Offers Discussion on Faith at North Carolina State University

TEHRAN (IQNA) - The Muslim Students’ Association and NC State Women’s Center third annual Islam Fair was held in Riddick Hall on Tuesday to promote an understanding of the peaceful ideals of Islam to the NC State community.

The MSA with the Women’s Center helped to bring attendees an accurate understanding of how women are treated in the Islamic faith. Co-organizer, host and NC State student Karina Gomez said that the themes of the fair were centered on clarifying Islam’s ideas of gender equality.

The fair featured speakers and proponents of the Islamic faith and art inspired by the Quran.

Guests of the event walked between stations that taught the tenets of Islamic faith and featured pieces of Muslim culture. One station offered a learner’s course on the foundations of Islamic faith, while another showed the perception of Islam in popular opinion in western culture versus reality. The presenters dispelled notions that Islam is a religion that breeds terrorism or violence of any sort.

Speakers and audience members held dialogue about Islam to work out any misunderstandings there may have been about the faith. Reda Kheli, one of the presenters, said that the audience had been respectful and receptive to the fair.

“People aren’t asking that many questions, but they are listening intently,” Kheli said.

Kheli explained that the goal of the fair was to show people in the audience the true nature of Islam.

“We are not what the media portrays,” Kheli, said. “Islam is a religion of peace.”

The presentations and the cultural booths were put on hold so that the hosts of fair could perform the Sunset Prayer, which is one of the five recognized moments of prayer per day in Islam.

After the prayer, the fair continued as a multicultural crowd of attendees spoke with representatives of Islam. Open and honest discussions between the hosts and the audience continued on through the night.

Elise Jaffe, a sophomore studying mechanical engineering, an attendee of the event, said that she was very impressed with the audience of the fair.

“It’s a very diverse group of people,” Jaffi said, “It’s cool to see a group of young people come together and be open minded to new ideas.”

Source: Technician Online