For those interested in exploring Islam -- a religion now commonly referenced in the news -- this is the week to do it at the University.
This week, the Muslim Student Association, along with a number of co-sponsors, will host their biannual Islam Awareness week. Co-sponsors for the event include the Echols program, the Office of the Dean of Students, and the Griot Society.
Third-year Engineering student Yusra Satoglu, a member of the MSA Council, said she sees this week as an ideal opportunity for students to both teach and learn from one another.
Our goal is to educate the community about what Islam is all about," Satoglu said. "And also to show them that Muslims are very much a part of the community here."
This dual desire to claim ownership and assert cultural identity is reflected in MSA's progressive week.
Their week-long incentive to educate students on Islam began last night with "ISLAM101," a lecture providing a comprehensive overview of the faith.
"ISLAM101 emphasizes on the basis of Islam," Satoglu said. "People should know about Islam before talking about it."
Following "ISLAM101" is a lecture entitled "Prophets of Islam" that will take place this afternoon at 4 in Newcomb Hall Room 389.
According to Satoglu, this event highlights fundamental similarities between Islam and other faiths -- primarily Christianity and Judaism.
Tomorrow will feature one of the week's highlights -- a lecture given by Imam Sirah Wahaj and Benjamin Kareem called "The Legacy of Malcolm X: Islam and Black Liberation."
The pair will speak in Gilmer Auditorium at 7 p.m.
Satoglu described Wahaj as "one of the most prominent speakers in the Muslim community," and said she hopes the night's unique program will attract a diverse audience.
The week will culminate with a discussion on the Qur'an holy scripture on Thursday and a Women in Islam panel on Friday.
Like the rest of the week's agenda, these two events are intended to dispel prevalent myths about Islam and replace them with facts, said Satoglu.
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