UMaine Muslim Student Association Holding Islamic Awareness Week
Contact: George Manlove, 581-3756
ORONO — Members of the UMaine Muslim Student Association have scheduled a series of talks and events on the Orono campus this week in hopes of introducing the public to the culture of Islam, as opposed to the politics.
A short film, food, live music and lectures are designed to raise awareness of the religion of Islam and Muslims at the University of Maine. Activities — all free — began Monday and continue through Friday, ending with a concert in the North Pod by The Sound of Reason, an R&B hip-hop duo that promotes consciousness and political awareness.
More than 70 members of the student Muslim association have been preparing for the week’s events for about two months, says Hiba Sharif, the president of MSA.
“The objective is give a better understanding of Islam and Muslims through real live Muslims, not what we see in the media,” says Sharif, who was born in Somalia and now lives in Lewiston. With the nightly news awash in Middle-East violence, many Americans wrongly conclude that Islam is the basis for terrorism, she says.
“That’s not what I see in my religion,” she says.
Sharif says the UMaine community has welcomed the Islamic Awareness Week activities.
“Everyone is excited about it. We’ve never had an event like this, since the Muslim community here is very small,” she says. “Most college students want to learn and they want a better understanding of new stuff.”
The MSA is bringing in several local and national speakers for this year’s first Islamic Awareness Week. Already common on other U.S. college campuses, Sharif says the observance will be an annual program. The public is welcome to attend all events.
The schedule follows:
Tuesday, Nov. 14
“Don’t Panic, I’m Islamic,” a movie presentation by the MSA, based on interviews with fellow students, 12:30-1:30 p.m., Coe Room, Memorial Union
“Muhammed, the Man and his Message,” with guest speaker Mokhtar Magroui,
7:30-9 p.m., Bangor Room, Memorial Union
Wednesday, Nov. 15
MSA table in the Union all day, with Henna tattoos and sweets
Thursday, Nov. 16
“Islam, Does it Make Sense?” with Muthir Subree, a chaplain in a South Carolina prison,
7:30-9 p.m., Bangor Room
Friday, Nov. 17
Performance by The Sound of Reason
North Pod 7-8 p.m.