In recent times Muslims have been one of the most misunderstood populations in the United States. During this election season we have seen prominent public figures make disparaging comments about the place of Muslims in U.S. society. Some have gone so far as to suggest that Muslims be dealt with like Nazis or that there is a threat of an "Islamic and Atheist takeover of true American values." There has even been the suggestion that Sharia law is creeping into our legislature and that it threatens to overtake our nation. This has caused lawmakers to rush into action by trying to ban this religious doctrine. In reality, this is an unnecessary reaction, given there is already a separation of church and state expressed in the First Amendment: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion...." This trend of unmindful behavior has not been restricted to the political arena. It has crossed over into the daily lives of Muslim American citizens.
Recently, the Associated Press reported the New York Police Department has been actively monitoring Muslim Student Associations at college campuses without any reasonable cause. A recent poll showed that 58 percent of readers approved of this surveillance of Muslim students. It is unfortunate that well-meaning, everyday people adopt some of these views because of a lack of awareness and dialogue across cultural boundaries.
Our University, as an institution of higher learning, could not be a better place to encourage this type of dialogue and education. It is necessary for us to reach out to one another and break down the boundaries which promote fear-mongering and misunderstanding. In an attempt to encourage meaningful dialogue on this crucial matter, the Muslim Students Association (MSA) is holding its annual Islam Awareness Month in collaboration with Student Council. It is taking place from March 12th to April 2nd. The goal is to educate and inform the University community about Muslims at the University and how American Muslims are an integral part of our great nation. During this month, the MSA will be hosting four special events open to the University and greater Charlottesville communities, free of charge.
The events will follow an inventive theme of "Sensing Islam," to allow the audience to grasp Islam in different ways. The first event is "Speaking Islam" as we engage in conversation about common stereotypes of American Muslims, moderated by Sustained Dialogue. The next event involves "Thinking Islam" with a film screening which will showcase an average American's experience living in a Muslim household for 30 days. The third event will present the opportunity for "Living Islam" by taking a pilgrimage to Mecca in the Amphitheater. Islam Awareness Month will conclude with "Tasting Islam" through a fast-a-thon dinner. During this event, participants will pledge to fast for a day and then be invited to enjoy a fully catered dinner and keynote speakers. The MSA will also be collecting canned goods and monetary donations to benefit the local Emergency Food Bank at fast-a-thon.
Our University has a large and vibrant community of Muslim students, faculty and staff. The MSA hopes to showcase the American Muslim experience through this Awareness campaign to the University community. Thomas Jefferson put it best when he said: "Educate and inform the whole mass of the people ... They are the only sure reliance for the preservation of our liberty." Thus, by working together to promote efforts such as these we can begin to remedy the alarming trend of misunderstanding, disparaging remarks and unmindful actions toward people of different backgrounds.
Mohib Tora and Andaleeb Rahman are members of the Muslim Students Association.
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