All about Islam
Alicia Jennings
Issue date: 6/4/07 Section: News
In an effort to erase the negative image that is often associated with radical Islamic groups and the religion of Islam, the Islamic Awareness Club held a conference, Wed., May 23.
Speaking was Amir Mertaban, a Cal Poly Pomona student and Associated Students Incorporated senator at the same school. Mertaban, who studies religious and social political issues, asked the audience what their understanding of Islam was. After little feedback, Mertaban explained that Islam is a 1400-year -old religion.
Also speaking was Sireen Sawaf, a Southern California government relations director of a nonprofit Muslim American organization.
Sawaf said she agrees with other Muslims that acts of terrorism are anything but Islamic.
"You can't harm innocent life, you can't harm animals, and you can't harm the environment," Sawaf said.
Hate is a hoax, and is used to further stress the relationship between Muslims and Jews, she said.
"There is nothing in any Islam book to disregard human life or hurt people," she added.
Some countries use Islam to strip women and men of their rights, such as forcing women to wear the hijab (a scarf worn around the head to cover hair) even though its donning is optional. Sawaf added.
Alia Aboul-Nasr, who works for the Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR), said, "Terrorist acts are just terrorist acts and can't be labeled by faiths because it does the faith injustice."
Speaking was Amir Mertaban, a Cal Poly Pomona student and Associated Students Incorporated senator at the same school. Mertaban, who studies religious and social political issues, asked the audience what their understanding of Islam was. After little feedback, Mertaban explained that Islam is a 1400-year -old religion.
Also speaking was Sireen Sawaf, a Southern California government relations director of a nonprofit Muslim American organization.
Sawaf said she agrees with other Muslims that acts of terrorism are anything but Islamic.
"You can't harm innocent life, you can't harm animals, and you can't harm the environment," Sawaf said.
Hate is a hoax, and is used to further stress the relationship between Muslims and Jews, she said.
"There is nothing in any Islam book to disregard human life or hurt people," she added.
Some countries use Islam to strip women and men of their rights, such as forcing women to wear the hijab (a scarf worn around the head to cover hair) even though its donning is optional. Sawaf added.
Alia Aboul-Nasr, who works for the Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR), said, "Terrorist acts are just terrorist acts and can't be labeled by faiths because it does the faith injustice."
Be the first to comment on this story