About 20 people gave up a warm and sunny Saturday afternoon to learn more about Islam at the Unitarian Universalist Church. The church's Social Responsibilities Committee sponsored the event, which consisted of the playing of a film called “The Reformation of Islam” by Irshad Manji followed by a question and answer session with Imam Abdur-Rahim Muhammad of Auburn.
Sarah Condon / Special to The Citizen
Imam Abdur-Rahim Muhammad explains the workings of Islam and the beliefs of Muslims to a group gathered at the Unitarian Universalist Church last week.
Irshad Manji is a journalist and the author of “The Trouble with Islam Today: A Musilm's Call for Reform in Her Faith.” She is also the director of the Moral Courage Project at New York University. The goal of the project is to develop leaders who will challenge political correctness, intellectual conformity and self-censorship.
“As Unitarians we want to question things,” said Bourke Kennedy, a member of the church, “and we hope to get questions from the public. Our Social Responsibilities Committee wanted to talk about Islam, and we hope the public will take a chance.”
The film included a question and answer period with Manji at her address before the American Library Association's annual Conference in Washington, D.C. in 2007. The questions covered topics ranging from the stoning of women in Muslim countries to violence by Muslim youths and young men and the positive impact of education within Muslim families.
The colorful and controversial woman gave answers such as “I believe the Quran absolutely teaches the dignity of women,” and “I am not a pacifist. Sometimes military intervention is necessary.” To this latter statement she used genocide as an example that justified military action.
Locally, Imam Muhammad is the head of the Community-Wide Dialogues in Auburn and is the Muslim chaplain at three area correctional facilities.
“I was invited to this forum,” he said. “We'd like to see as many new people enter into dialogues as possible, so we can better understand each other. We're trying to bring together Muslims, Christians and people with no professed faith. Neighbors can be friends. Not necessarily agreeing with each other, but retaining our identities.”
As part of his own presentation, Imam had several books on an information table for attendees to examine. One was “War, Peace and Non-violence, an Islamic Perspective” by Imam Muhammad Shirazi and the Quran according to Tajweed Rules. Muhammad explained that Tajweed Rules referred to the pronunciation of the text of the Quran, which when read aloud is more like a chant than a simple oral reading.
“Islam is often misunderstood,” Muhammad said. “The most outstanding characteristic of Islam is the same as that of Christianity, charity. Muslims are very caring and compassionate people. Of course, there are exceptions. The people of Islam have made many mistakes, and some of those mistakes have been exploited by some people outside of Islam. Many people have been driven from religion by people who claim to be religious.”
When asked about some of Manji's claims about women within the Islamic community Muhammad said, “The Quran says, 'Reverence God and reverence the womb that bore you.' A mother is the first teacher. The woman's place in Islam is very revered.”
Muhammad said that in order for the world's people to come together, individuals have to reach out to other individuals.
“World events are forcing us to look beyond our comfort barriers,” he said. “Religion is an instrument for faith. We have to do our best as individuals. We want our young people
to be able to go beyond the limitations of their parents. We have to encourage each other.“
As he ended his comments, Muhammad announced that a new community-wide
dialogue session will begin after the Fourth of July.
“As Unitarians we want to question things,” said Bourke Kennedy, a member of the church, “and we hope to get questions from the public. Our Social Responsibilities Committee wanted to talk about Islam, and we hope the public will take a chance.”
The film included a question and answer period with Manji at her address before the American Library Association's annual Conference in Washington, D.C. in 2007. The questions covered topics ranging from the stoning of women in Muslim countries to violence by Muslim youths and young men and the positive impact of education within Muslim families.
The colorful and controversial woman gave answers such as “I believe the Quran absolutely teaches the dignity of women,” and “I am not a pacifist. Sometimes military intervention is necessary.” To this latter statement she used genocide as an example that justified military action.
Locally, Imam Muhammad is the head of the Community-Wide Dialogues in Auburn and is the Muslim chaplain at three area correctional facilities.
“I was invited to this forum,” he said. “We'd like to see as many new people enter into dialogues as possible, so we can better understand each other. We're trying to bring together Muslims, Christians and people with no professed faith. Neighbors can be friends. Not necessarily agreeing with each other, but retaining our identities.”
As part of his own presentation, Imam had several books on an information table for attendees to examine. One was “War, Peace and Non-violence, an Islamic Perspective” by Imam Muhammad Shirazi and the Quran according to Tajweed Rules. Muhammad explained that Tajweed Rules referred to the pronunciation of the text of the Quran, which when read aloud is more like a chant than a simple oral reading.
“Islam is often misunderstood,” Muhammad said. “The most outstanding characteristic of Islam is the same as that of Christianity, charity. Muslims are very caring and compassionate people. Of course, there are exceptions. The people of Islam have made many mistakes, and some of those mistakes have been exploited by some people outside of Islam. Many people have been driven from religion by people who claim to be religious.”
When asked about some of Manji's claims about women within the Islamic community Muhammad said, “The Quran says, 'Reverence God and reverence the womb that bore you.' A mother is the first teacher. The woman's place in Islam is very revered.”
Muhammad said that in order for the world's people to come together, individuals have to reach out to other individuals.
“World events are forcing us to look beyond our comfort barriers,” he said. “Religion is an instrument for faith. We have to do our best as individuals. We want our young people
to be able to go beyond the limitations of their parents. We have to encourage each other.“
As he ended his comments, Muhammad announced that a new community-wide
dialogue session will begin after the Fourth of July.
The Citizens' Say
There are 1 comment(s)
who cares wrote on Jun 21, 2008 4:38 PM: