“Are Muslims violent, terrorists, and/or extremists?” “Do Muslims worship a different God from that of Christians or Jews?” “Does Islam oppress women?” Find answers to these and other common misconceptions about Islam at a panel discussion entitled, “Religious Tolerance and Liberty in the Face of Terrorism: Unraveling Misconceptions about Islam.” The symposium will be the first of the Penn State Great Valley Diversity Action Council’s Speaker Series. The participants in this panel discussion will learn about the basic beliefs and tenets of Islam. The discussion will focus on the experiences of American Muslims after 9/11. The program will take place on Tuesday, September 30, from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. in the Warren V. Musser Auditorium of the Safeguard Scientifics Building.
A recent study from Cornell University in April 2002 reveals that there are 8 million Muslims in North America. Islam is one of the fastest growing religions in this country and around the world. Similar to Christians and Jews, Muslims believe in one unique and incomparable God. Muslims believe in a chain of prophets beginning with Adam and including Noah, Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Job, Moses, David, Solomon, and Jesus.
The Abrahamic faiths -- Islam, Christianity, and Judaism -- share the basic values necessary to create a world where tolerance and peace prevail. Muslim life and worship are structured around the Five Pillars of Islam—faith, prayer, helping the needy, fasting, and pilgrimage. They believe in the Day of Judgment and individual accountability for actions. Under Islamic law, women have always had the right to own property, receive an education and otherwise take part in community life. Men and women are to be respected equally. The basic principles of Islam like tolerance, justice, and devotion to family are a central part of their lives.
The panel will include scholars and practitioners of Islam. The facilitator of this event, Mr. Alex Kronemer, is a frequent writer and lecturer on religion and Islamic civilization. He holds a masters degree in Theological Studies from Harvard University. He served a one-year appointment in 1999-2000 as the Middle East Desk Officer in the Bureau of Human Rights in the U.S. State Department. He also served as a delegate to the United Nations Human Rights Commission in Geneva. In April 1998, Kronemer acted as a consultant and on-air commentator in Mecca for CNN-TV News during its week of live-broadcast coverage on Hajj, the Muslim pilgrimage. Recently, he has co-created and co-produced a movie called "Muhammad: Legacy of a Prophet."
This event is free and open to the public. For more information about this event please visit www.gv.psu.edu , or call 610-725-5235.
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