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Parveneh Warden and Farah Khan, both senior political science majors, discuss text from informational literature that was being handed out at the Islamic Cultural Fair. VICKI THOMPSON / DAILY STAFF [Click to enlarge]

Yasir Rao, a senior in management information systems, rubbed a lamp and jokingly asked whether a genie would come out. VICKI THOMPSON / DAILY STAFF [Click to enlarge]

The weeklong annual event is organized by the San Jose State University Muslim Students Association.

The week's events began with an "Islamic Cultural Fair." The fair featured various articles of Muslim clothing, along with food and other items pertinent to the Muslim faith.

Farah Khan, a political science major, who helped organize the event, said the cultural fair's purpose was to inform people about the religion.

"This event is for people who are interested in Islam," Khan said. "The purpose of the week is to clear up misconceptions."

Khan said the event takes place every spring.

"This semester we did a good job of putting various events together," she said.

There will be speakers and other events over the course of the week.

"We usually get a lot of people who are interested in what's going on," Khan said. "They usually want to discuss current events with us. This helps put a face to the image."

Mohammad Naaman, president of the Muslim Students Association, said an event like "Islam Awareness Week" is important, especially after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, which were orchestrated by an Islamic fundamentalist group.

"Especially after 9/11, that made it essential to dispel rumors and misconceptions about Islam," he said.

Naaman said reaction to the event has always been positive.

"We're happy with the way things are going," he said. "Muslims are human beings too. We hope people take advantage of the event and come out to meet us."

Naaman said about 20 to 25 people stopped by the fair over the course of the day.

Alice Tsai, a junior in occupational therapy, said she attended the fair to show her support and to learn more about the religion.

"I think it's a great idea," Tsai said. "I don't know anything about Islam, but events like this help me understand."

The next event planned for "Islam Awareness Week" is a lecture titled "The Prophet Muhammad," which takes place today in the Council Chambers room of the Student Union at 1:30 p.m.

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