Spring Break
Association to host talks on Islam
Samie Hartley
Issue date: 2/28/07 Section: News
The Muslim Student Association will sponsor five lectures during the "Discover Islam" series to educate the San Jose State University community about the "peaceful message of Islam," association President Maryam Amir-Ebrahimi said.
"We are living in a time where Islamaphobia is not only rampant, but it is rapidly growing," Amir-Ebrahimi said. "We see a lot about Islam through the media, but not many people know what Islam actually teaches."
The series begins today with the lecture "The Message of the Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him)."
Amir-Ebrahimi, a junior majoring in child and adolescent development, said the lecture is about the prophet Muhammad and the "sacrifices" he went through to spread "the message."
The series will continue through the month of March with lectures such as "Women in Islam," and "Jihad: Holy War or Inner Struggle?"
Amir-Ebrahimi said SJSU is a great venue for a series like this.
"While we are still in the academic setting - while we are still in an institution that encourages us to question instead of follow blindly, we feel it is imperative for every individual to grab the opportunity to gain knowledge and ask whatever questions they my have - even if they think it is offensive - before they leave the world of academia," Amir-Ebrahimi said.
Karimah Al-Helew, a freshman majoring in sociology, said she hopes the lectures dispel misunderstandings about her religion.
"I hope their eyes will be opened to the true side of Islam that the media and the news never portray - the side of peace," Al-Helew said. "I hope, if anything, their misconceptions about the religion will be cleared up - especially the ones about women in Islam and Jihad."
Al-Helew said she began wearing the hijab, traditional Muslim dress, to school this semester.
"Last semester, I sort of had a spiritual revival in a sense," Al-Helew said. "I was born into a Muslim family, but my faith was not very strong. Last semester I decided to explore the idea of religion more thoroughly, and I found that Islam truly was for me. The hijab is a mark of piety and modesty … I believe that when I wear the hijab, I have more self respect, and I receive more respect from others."
"We are living in a time where Islamaphobia is not only rampant, but it is rapidly growing," Amir-Ebrahimi said. "We see a lot about Islam through the media, but not many people know what Islam actually teaches."
The series begins today with the lecture "The Message of the Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him)."
Amir-Ebrahimi, a junior majoring in child and adolescent development, said the lecture is about the prophet Muhammad and the "sacrifices" he went through to spread "the message."
The series will continue through the month of March with lectures such as "Women in Islam," and "Jihad: Holy War or Inner Struggle?"
Amir-Ebrahimi said SJSU is a great venue for a series like this.
"While we are still in the academic setting - while we are still in an institution that encourages us to question instead of follow blindly, we feel it is imperative for every individual to grab the opportunity to gain knowledge and ask whatever questions they my have - even if they think it is offensive - before they leave the world of academia," Amir-Ebrahimi said.
Karimah Al-Helew, a freshman majoring in sociology, said she hopes the lectures dispel misunderstandings about her religion.
"I hope their eyes will be opened to the true side of Islam that the media and the news never portray - the side of peace," Al-Helew said. "I hope, if anything, their misconceptions about the religion will be cleared up - especially the ones about women in Islam and Jihad."
Al-Helew said she began wearing the hijab, traditional Muslim dress, to school this semester.
"Last semester, I sort of had a spiritual revival in a sense," Al-Helew said. "I was born into a Muslim family, but my faith was not very strong. Last semester I decided to explore the idea of religion more thoroughly, and I found that Islam truly was for me. The hijab is a mark of piety and modesty … I believe that when I wear the hijab, I have more self respect, and I receive more respect from others."
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