Seminar to highlight freedom of Islamic expression
Saba Naseem
Issue date: 4/1/09 Section: News
Al-Islam Student Association will host a seminar on Islam and freedom of expression 3:30 p.m. Friday, April 3, in the Multicultural Center.
AISA was formed in the wake of Sept. 11 to help foster peace and harmony among peoples of various religions and cultures through actively promoting programs to improve mutual understanding, according to the program.
"Many people only try to find the difference between faiths," AISA President Beth Ibrahim said. "We try to show the similarities between different religions and between the West and Islam."
In recent years, many events have raised questions about the freedom of expression in Islam
with the Danish cartoon controversy, the Van Gogh murder, Salman Rushdie, the pope's
comments and other inflammatory publications that drew violent response from the
Muslim world.
Imam Azhar Haneef, a guest speaker from St. Louis, will be addressing these questions and more, as well as clearing up any misunderstandings. He is a second-generation Muslim whose parents converted in the 1940s. He received his theosophical training in Pakistan and is currently Imam of Sadiq Mosque in St. Louis.
"This topic is especially important because of the constant media coverage of the Middle East and Islam," Ibrahim said. "A lot of the media portray the laws in the Middle East as negative. In many cases, the laws are oppressive to freedom of expression, but it is very important to distinguish between the government and what Islam truly teaches."
Many UA students have preconceived notions on the freedom of expression in Islam.
"I believe there is freedom of expression in the Middle East to a certain extent, but more often than not, we see the harsher side through the media," said Cassie Glidewell, a freshman education major.
"Everyone should have all rights, including the right to speech, to the press and to choose their own religion," she said. "It's important to understand and learn about Islam so we know the difference between what the religion teaches and what the governments say they do."
AISA was formed in the wake of Sept. 11 to help foster peace and harmony among peoples of various religions and cultures through actively promoting programs to improve mutual understanding, according to the program.
"Many people only try to find the difference between faiths," AISA President Beth Ibrahim said. "We try to show the similarities between different religions and between the West and Islam."
In recent years, many events have raised questions about the freedom of expression in Islam
with the Danish cartoon controversy, the Van Gogh murder, Salman Rushdie, the pope's
comments and other inflammatory publications that drew violent response from the
Muslim world.
Imam Azhar Haneef, a guest speaker from St. Louis, will be addressing these questions and more, as well as clearing up any misunderstandings. He is a second-generation Muslim whose parents converted in the 1940s. He received his theosophical training in Pakistan and is currently Imam of Sadiq Mosque in St. Louis.
"This topic is especially important because of the constant media coverage of the Middle East and Islam," Ibrahim said. "A lot of the media portray the laws in the Middle East as negative. In many cases, the laws are oppressive to freedom of expression, but it is very important to distinguish between the government and what Islam truly teaches."
Many UA students have preconceived notions on the freedom of expression in Islam.
"I believe there is freedom of expression in the Middle East to a certain extent, but more often than not, we see the harsher side through the media," said Cassie Glidewell, a freshman education major.
"Everyone should have all rights, including the right to speech, to the press and to choose their own religion," she said. "It's important to understand and learn about Islam so we know the difference between what the religion teaches and what the governments say they do."
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