Interfaith Event to Focus on American Muslims
Four groups will host an Understanding American Muslims event May 7 in the Clinton Community College auditorium. The event is sponsored by the Islamic Society of Clinton County, the Muslim Community of the Quad-Cities, the Sisters of St. Francis and the Clinton Ministerial Assocation.
Event organizer Dr. Anis Ansari hopes the event will educate the public about American Muslims and their contributions to society.
"We have not had any type of interfaith event outside the Islamic Center,” Ansari said. "And with a lot of negative talk in the media we thought an effective response was to have an event so people can come and learn more about American Muslims and how much we have contributed to society so far.”
The keynote speaker at the event is Dr. Ahmadullah Sidqui, who is a professor of Journalism and English at Western Illinois and the executive director at Sound Vision in Chicago. Following the keynote speech will be an interfaith address from the Rev. Duane Larson, who is an adjunct professor of Theology and Religion at Ashford University and the interim pastor at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Clinton. His address will focus on what is common among the Abrahamic faiths while Siddqui’s speech will focus on what America needs to know about Islam and Muslims.
"We have establihshed medical clinics to serve the poor and in disasters we have shown a willingness to step up and help in times of need,” Ansari said. "Our contributions to American society need to be highlighted. Muslims have lived here a long time while establishing good relations with Americans.”
Everyone is invited to attend the event from 10 a.m. to noon May 7. The event will include a video viewing, an Arabic calligraphy booth, books and a literature stall and a scarf workshop as well as the two speakers who will be featured at the event. There will also be a panel discussion that will include a question-and answer-opportunity with the speakers at the event and community leaders.
Source: Clinton Herald
