Labels such as terrorists and oppressors of women are examples of how Western culture misinterprets the Muslim people and culture.
The Muslim Student Association is hosting “Debunking the Myths,” a series of talks that challenges and clarifies the issues that Muslims face on the University campus and worldwide.
Director of the Muslim Student Association, Nashran Santoso, a senior political science and international studies major, said that there is a growing distortion of the image of Muslim people and how they are portrayed by the media. He said that the intent of the discussion series is to clarify uneasy feelings of Muslims and Islam.
“Being Muslim here in America, some people give the image of the terrorists, oppressors of women and abusers,” Santoso said. “By having these talks, the MSA and people can understand more about what Muslim is — in reality.”
The May 25 discussion, “Young American Muslim Experiences: Life and Challenge” was centered around the narrative experience of Muslims in the community from the point of view of MSA members.
On May 30, “Image of Women in the Qur’an” was led by Professor Mahmoud Dhouadi, a visiting researcher from the University of Tunisia’s department of sociology.
In his presentation, Mahmoud addressed the misunderstandings of the Qur’an, the Muslim holy book. While men of the Muslim and Arab world are portrayed as being allowed to marry more than one wife, Mahmoud contradicted this in his lecture.
“Muslim men are not encouraged to treat more than one women equally,” he said.
Nadima Adi, a senior majoring in biology and psychology, said she came to the presentation so that people would see there are more Muslim women on campus.
“I was just interested to see what [Mahmoud] would say and to get information that I hadn’t heard before in my studies,” she said.
The “Muslims and the Media: The True Lies” on May 31 featured Tammam Adi, Ph. D. in a discussion about the common stereotypes of Muslims and Islam.
Dhouadi examined the place of knowledge and science in the Qur’anic perspective in a panel on June 1: “Qur’an, Knowledge, and Science.”
The series of talks will conclude tonight at 7 p.m. in 204 Condon Hall with “Muslim Behavior and Daily Life.”
Santoso said that through the talks the different faces of Muslims are revealed, such as Hawaiian Muslims, Caucasian Muslims, African-American Muslims and Indonesian Muslims. The MSA offers Muslims a place where they can come together to share their way of life and the guidance they receive from their holy scripture.
Sarah K. Samman, a senior biology major, and new member of the MSA said she frequently faces racism because she is Muslim.
Samman said she was stopped in the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport by customs officials and discriminated against because she was from the Middle East.
“They actually asked me if I had family in the Middle East and why I stayed in touch with them,” Samman said.
Samman and MSA member Redha Mohammad, an environmental sciences and geology major, said they have enjoyed participating in other events the MSA has hosted this year. The association presented an informational lecture at Sheldon High School in April where they presented pictures of mosques, places where Muslims pray, as well as clarifying issues about the Islamic culture.
For more information about “Debunking the Myths” contact the Muslim Student Association at 346-3798.