MSA hosts speakers to promote Islam Awareness
The Muslim Student Association will also be hosting other events in observance of Islam Awareness Week, Nov. 13-17. Lectures, discussions and other activities will be held for the purpose of educating non-Muslim students about Islam.
"Olajuwon is not just coming because he's a basketball player," MSA Vice President Adeela Gill said. "We've asked him to come because he's a prominent Muslim figure. He's smart, successful and very humble. His whole life reflects his practices, which is not always the case.
"He donated money to the Islamic Society of Greater Houston so that they could build a new structure," Gill said.
MSA President Amjad Khokhar and Baker College senior Musa Zamah approached Olajuwon about speaking at Rice at the ISGH Eastside campus where the basketball player regularly attends prayer.
Rice Lecturer Mehdi Abedi will speak on the portrayal of Islam in the media on Tuesday at 7 p.m. in Rayzor Hall, Room 110. Abedi is a research associate and Rice graduate who teaches in the Anthropology Department. He calls himself an Iranian Muslim, who performs rites of passage such as wedding ceremonies.
"In this day and age we are in need of tolerance -- religious tolerance especially. Diversity is one of the most beautiful things in the world. We should all tolerate each other and get to know each other. Violence is not a good thing," Abedi said.
Overall, the portrayal of Muslims by the American media has not been accurate, particularly in the past two decades, Abedi said. Muslims have been stereotyped as violent and even equated to Saddam Hussein, he said.
The final event takes place Wednesday at 7 p.m. in the Grand Hall. A three-woman panel will discuss the role of women in Islam. Each speaker will approach the Islamic beliefs concerning women from a different perspective.
Huda Budr will speak from a theological viewpoint.
Shaheen Tubatabi is a professor who will speak from an academic perspective that includes study and interpretation of the Islamic text. Tracy Ibrahim, a recent convert, will take a personal approach which focuses on individual beliefs. All three women are members of the Greater Houston community.
"We want anyone with any kind of interest to attend," Gill said.
Besides Islam Awareness Week, the MSA also coordinates a month of fasting which will be observed in late January to early February.
"Our goal is mainly to provide a greater understanding and awareness to the Rice community," Gill said. "Many students are not aware of the Muslim organization on campus and the number of students here that are Muslim.
"We just want to break down the barriers and some ideas that people have about Islam."
This item appeared in the News section of the November 10, 1995 issue.
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