Spring Break
Seminar to focus on democracy in the Middle East
David Rath
Issue date: 4/11/08 Section: News
Islam and Democracy, a seminar sponsored by the Al-Islam Students Association and the UA Multicultural Center, will occur 3:30 p.m. today in Room 404 of the Arkansas Union.
Najib Ghadbian, associate professor of political science and Middle East studies, and Mubasher Ahmad, imam of baitul Jami'a Mosque in Chicago, will speak about governments and democracy in Islamic countries, according to a press release.
"Right now, major events are happening in the world with respect to democracy," said Hameed Naseem, professor of electrical engineering and AISA faculty adviser, "but we think that a peaceful means should be used first to teach something as good as democracy."
The seminar will focus on teaching members of the UA community and other attendees from the Fayetteville area about Islamic culture and the pursuit of democracy in Middle Eastern countries.
"I think if people listen to these lectures, they're going to come back saying that the Islamic people have the same values that we as Americans want them to have in terms of democracy," Naseem said.
"They will have a better understanding of Islam, and the interaction between peoples will be more useful in a friendly and amicable atmosphere," he said.
Naseem said that understanding the Muslim culture would help relations between the U.S. and Middle Eastern nations.
"Islam rules the hearts of its people," he said. "If Americans can converse with our friends in the Middle East with the knowledge of the Muslim culture, any guidance we can give will go straight to their hearts."
AISA formed in October 2001 in the wake of Sept. 11 to educate others about the peaceful teachings of Islam.
Every semester, the organization has brought experts to the UA to speak at seminars.
"We have had a very good response," Naseem said. "People have always been very supportive, and I think it has had a positive impact on the community."
An open-mic question-and-answer session will follow the one-hour oral presentation by Ghadbian and Ahmad.
"Values of democracy include freedom of choice, justice and respect of religions," Naseem said. "These are all values that Islam stands for, and these are the same values that we as Americans want to spread, which we respect.
"However, we do think that we should not do this through violence and wars," he said.
Najib Ghadbian, associate professor of political science and Middle East studies, and Mubasher Ahmad, imam of baitul Jami'a Mosque in Chicago, will speak about governments and democracy in Islamic countries, according to a press release.
"Right now, major events are happening in the world with respect to democracy," said Hameed Naseem, professor of electrical engineering and AISA faculty adviser, "but we think that a peaceful means should be used first to teach something as good as democracy."
The seminar will focus on teaching members of the UA community and other attendees from the Fayetteville area about Islamic culture and the pursuit of democracy in Middle Eastern countries.
"I think if people listen to these lectures, they're going to come back saying that the Islamic people have the same values that we as Americans want them to have in terms of democracy," Naseem said.
"They will have a better understanding of Islam, and the interaction between peoples will be more useful in a friendly and amicable atmosphere," he said.
Naseem said that understanding the Muslim culture would help relations between the U.S. and Middle Eastern nations.
"Islam rules the hearts of its people," he said. "If Americans can converse with our friends in the Middle East with the knowledge of the Muslim culture, any guidance we can give will go straight to their hearts."
AISA formed in October 2001 in the wake of Sept. 11 to educate others about the peaceful teachings of Islam.
Every semester, the organization has brought experts to the UA to speak at seminars.
"We have had a very good response," Naseem said. "People have always been very supportive, and I think it has had a positive impact on the community."
An open-mic question-and-answer session will follow the one-hour oral presentation by Ghadbian and Ahmad.
"Values of democracy include freedom of choice, justice and respect of religions," Naseem said. "These are all values that Islam stands for, and these are the same values that we as Americans want to spread, which we respect.
"However, we do think that we should not do this through violence and wars," he said.
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