As Islam Awareness Week drew to a close on Feb. 7, it was hard to miss the feeling of community and goodwill in the audience packed into the Earth Sciences auditorium.
Friday’s lecture on the topic of “The Qur’an Among Revealed Scriptures” ended a flurry of workshops and exhibits aiming to broaden the understanding of Islam on campus through the message of the Qur’an, the primary source of guidance for Muslims.
The week’s activities coincided with the pilgrimage currently being undertaken by millions of Muslims to Mecca, Saudi Arabia.
“The main objective of the event was to create an atmosphere where people can discuss Islam openly and honestly,” said Sumayyah Hussein, coordinator of the Outreach Committee of the Muslim Students’ Association at U of T, St. George. “The turnout was better than we expected, and a lot of people commented on the importance of these kinds of initiatives.”
The open exhibit took place daily from Feb. 3-7 in the Stone Lobby of the Medical Sciences building and included informative displays, film screenings, a multicultural food sale and the opportunity to browse, ask questions and buy books.
Another highlight was Wednesday’s workshop with Dr. Kathy Bullock, an alumnus of U of T who “never thought (she’d) be standing in Sidney Smith ever again.” An atheist who believed all religions suppressed women, she talked about her “long journey” towards God and, eventually, Islam.
The bulk of the evening consisted of group discussions about the common misconception of the obedient, veiled Muslim housewife. Based on the comments received from the audience, Bullock noted that “Muslims seem to feel more cornered and criticized than is actually the case” and commended the genuine efforts being made to understand Islam after Sept. 11.
Dr. Yaser Haddara spoke on “The Message of the Qur’an” on Thursday, outlining the major topics addressed in the Qur’an. Of the over-arching themes contained in the sacred text, he stressed consciousness of God, service towards humanity and accountability. Dr. Haddara also encouraged people to have an open mind and study the scriptures of all religions.The week ended on an inspirational note with a well-researched presentation by Dr. Jamal Badawi from St. Mary’s University in Halifax and a powerful speech by Abdul Malik, an activist from New York. “We have people like Oprah going back to talking about your ‘spirit’… why don’t we just come out and say it? We need a divine presence in our life,” he said to applause from the audience. He continued by pointing out the similarities between the Qur’an and the other revealed texts.
“The event was well organized and a real eye-opener for those who don’t know much about the Qur’an,” said Shadya Yasin, a first-year student from York University.“The events renewed my faith in Islam and gave me confidence during a time when many Muslims feel vulnerable and in the spotlight,” said Hydar Malik, an engineering student.
