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Amir Abdul Malik Ali spoke Tuesday about a variety of topics concerning Muslims, such as American foreign policy and social activism. The Muslim Student Association organized the event, which occured in the Student Union. STANLEY KAO / DAILY STAFF [Click to enlarge]

Leya Babchin, a marketing junior, reacts to a statement made by Ali. Before the presentation, Babchin stood outside the Barrett Ballroom of the Student Union with a group of protesters from the Jewish Student Union and Hillel of Silicon Valley. STANLEY KA [Click to enlarge]

The Muslim Students Association invited African American Muslim speaker Amir Abdul Malik Ali of Oakland to speak on the roles of Muslims in America at 3 p.m. in Barrett Ballroom in a controversial event.

Ali started his speech by saying that he understood why there is a controversy about him being there to an audience of more than a hundred people. He added that Muslims worldwide are experiencing a collective witch hunt and questioned the role of a Muslim in the United States.

"We are too afraid to talk about our role," Ali said.

Mohammad Naaman, the president of the Muslim Students Association, said Ali is an Imam, or religious leader, of a mosque in Oakland and has spoken in several venues. He added that Ali has spoken at San Jose State University before, as well as other Bay Area campuses such as DeAnza, Foothill and Mission colleges.

When asked about the protesters outside the ballroom and why they would be upset at his association's choice of speaker, Naaman replied that Ali probably has had views that did not agree with the protesters'.

"Personally, if you know the way how they figure out he is coming, you would see that they have had an issue with the MSA before," he said. "I am happy that they are here. I just hope that they will sit inside and listen to what they have to say."

The event began with a short Muslim prayer session. Naaman then presented Ali, who came in through one of the side doors of the ballroom, with a black-clad entourage.

He covered a wide range of topics, from Sept. 11, the impending war in Iraq, terrorism, racism and Islamic teachings.

"You must know the history to understand what is going on today," he said.

Ali also listed the roles of a Muslim.

"The first would be to teach people about what Islam is - to get people to understand us," Ali said. "The second is to build more Islamic communities, and the third is to stand up for the truth."

He also said that Muslims would face nonMuslims who are friendly, neutral and hostile, and said the last group often oppresses Muslims.

"Fighting against oppression is an act of worship, and if (a Muslim) were to die in (a fight), it's a dignified death," he said.

He also made statements about the United States becoming an imperialist nation and that a Muslim revival is taking place worldwide.

"This Islamic revival is scaring imperialists, as Islam does not recognize national boundaries," he said.

Ali stressed that Muslims should have patience and stand firm and united against hostile nonMuslims.

"(We have to) stand on who we are; do not compromise who we are," he said.

After his speech, Naaman, the president of the association, started a question-and-answer session with the audience.

Some students who attended the event had mixed feelings about Ali's speech.

Some said they felt Ali threatened them.

Brett Shore, a business and communications major, said he is upset by Ali's views of Zionism.

"He made comments about the goal is not to kill all Jews but just Zionists. I am a Zionist, so that means he wants to kill me," he said. "I feel personally threatened. And when people applaud that, I feel personally threatened also."

Shore added that he felt upset about Ali's explanation about Muslim martyrs.

"When he calls Palestinian suicide bombers martyrs and said that they are heroes, that hits home," he said.

Business major David Goodman, who is also the chairman of the student initiative team of the Jewish Student Union, said he was disturbed by Ali's presentation.

"I am concerned that he tries to intimidate nonMuslims, not those who are with them or are apathetic, but those who are against them," he said. "I find it interesting that he said 'don't tell me about Islam as a nonMuslim' and he goes ahead and uses a David and Goliath analogy."

Goodman said he was not particularly pleased with Ali's definitions about 'jihad,' stating that Ali did not mention that the nonviolent ways of settling a dispute as a noble struggle when he could.

"I think that he is a speaker that lacks credibility. For his particular audience, he is effective in inciting a revolution," Goodman added.

Electrical engineering major Jeff Lin said Ali made some valid points.

"I agreed with a lot of things that he said. He pretty much puts into words my ideologies," he said. "In regards to 9/11, I am really disappointed with the way the government has handled the situation, and this is mob mentality. The overall racism of the American people just sort of bugs me."

Rabia Qureshi, a management information systems major, said the event has helped other people understand Islam more.

"People think that Muslims are terrorists because of several reasons, such as our dress code," said Qureshi.

Goodman said he thinks that as a speaker, Ali presented his ideas poorly.

"There are lots of holes in his arguments. He is not basing it on logic," he said.

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