In an effort to provide the UCSD community with better understanding of Islamic faith and culture, the Muslim Student Association will host Islam Awareness Week this week.
Though the event has become an annual tradition of the MSA, this year’s Islam Awareness Week comes at a particularly tense time as Muslims and non-Muslims alike try to cope with the aftermath of Sept. 11.
The planned series of events is designed to clear the misconceptions people may have about Muslims. It begins on Monday with a cultural fair to be held at noon on Library Walk. The fair’s venues will represent Islamic culture abroad and include food and dress from around the globe.
“”We want to show Islam from the people’s perspectives: from America, China, Europe, etc.”” said MSA President Ahmed Salem. “”People don’t understand the international aspect of Islam.””
Salem said the MSA hopes “”to bring Islam to people, to get involved in the community and to serve the Muslim students at UCSD.””
He also said he wants to promote understanding through education and exposure.
“”People have no idea what Islam is,”” he said. “”As Muslim-Americans, it’s our duty to educate people about Islam. We’re bringing knowledge to them,”” said Salem of the MSA’s organizational philosophy.
The events planned for this week are only part of the way the MSA hopes to combat what it sees as misrepresentation of Islam.
“”The expressed purpose of this event is to educate the campus on Islam — it is noncontroversial and purely educational,”” said Ann Brady, Student Organization & Leadership Opportunities adviser to religious organizations.
To that end, the MSA has scheduled several speakers to lecture in the evenings for the first three days of the week. Monday’s lecture, “”Jihad vs. Terrorism,”” will be held in Center Hall Rm. 115 at 7 p.m. The speakers for all the lectures are Muslim scholars or noted members of the Islamic community.
“”The Concept of Allah”” is the topic of Tuesday’s lecture, which is to take place at Center Hall Rm. 119 at 7 p.m.
“”If someone can only go to one thing, I recommend this lecture,”” Salem said. “”This is very important for people in understanding Islam.””
Prior to this, at noon on Tuesday the MSA is sponsoring a lecture and performance in the Price Center. It hopes to get Jurassic Five, the members of which are Muslim, as well as some other bands to perform after a speech given by a prominent Muslim.
Rounding out the evening lecture series is “”The Unknown Legacy of Islam in America.”” This lecture will address the heritage of Islamic faith in the United States from African slaves to Malcolm X and Mohammed Ali.
Salem said the Muslim faith factors prominently into the religious heritage of many African-Americans.
Scheduled for Friday is an open “”jummah.”” This prayer service will be held in Price Center Ballroom A at 12:45 p.m.
The MSA leadership has great hopes for this event — particularly that it will bring a lot of non-Muslims into contact with Islamic teachings and lifestyles.
“”We expect people will have a great time at the fair and at the concert. Hopefully many non-Muslims will come find out more about Islam,”” Salem said.