Download Unveiling Ignorance - Registered student organizations

Unveiling Ignorance:
Educational Series of Lectures on the VCU campus
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Event #1:
Islam: Empire of Faith
The Forgotten Legacy of Islamic Civilization
Possible Co-Sponsors: African Studies Department, Religious Studies Department, Women’s Studies Department
A faith that began with a small group of believers in Arabia miraculously spread, in only a few brief decades, to inspire brilliant
civilizations that extended from the borders of France to the gates of China. While Europe lay dormant in its Dark Ages, the Muslim
world flourished in its Golden Age-launching higher mathematics with the invention of algebra, building architectural wonders, and
reviving the works of ancient Greek philosophers. It was, in fact, the Muslims who sparked the European Renaissance. Yet even at the
height of its glory, the Muslim Empire was one of unparalleled religious tolerance. Christians, Jews, and followers of other faiths
lived peacefully within its borders, an ideal still cherished by most of the world's Muslims.
By allowing cult-like and violent extremists to represent Islam, there is a tendency in America today to view all Muslims negatively
and deny their many contributions to humanity. To help remedy these misconceptions, this event offers a one-evening panorama of
Islam and the rich diversity of its followers. In portraying a holistic Image of Islam and Muslims, we hope to give the audience a
glimpse of Islam’s forgotten legacy.
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Event #2:
Ramadan: The Beauty of Fasting
Possible Co-Sponsors: Religious Studies Department, International Students
The month long fast of Ramadan provides numerous benefits to the mind, body and soul of the believer. These benefits reach beyond
the physical level, transforming our human character within. It is only through recognizing these benefits that one can truly achieve
them.
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Event #3:
My Journey to Islam
First-Hand Accounts of Muslim Reversions
Possible Co-Sponsors: Religious Studies Department, Religious Studies Society
Experts say Islam is attractive because of its universal message--the faithful believe that everyone is born Muslim and thus call the
transformation reversion, not conversion--and because its teachings incorporate other traditions, honoring Jesus Christ, the Jewish
patriarch Abraham and other Biblical figures as prophets. Though missionary work is rare in Islam, spreading the message is
demanded by the Koran. Conversion is as simple as reciting one sentence--"I bear witness that there is no deity except Allah and that
Muhammad is his messenger"-- in front of witnesses, a ceremony known as Shahadah.
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Event #4:
Incorporating Spirituality in one’s everyday life: A Muslim’s Perspective
Possible Co-Sponsors: Religious Studies Department, Religious Studies Society, Philosophy Club
Islam is not merely a religion but a consummate way of life, eloquently joining the sacred and the profane. Through this ultimate
integration a Muslim’s identity manifests, ideally resulting in success in this life and the hereafter.
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Event #5:
MSA Documentaries
2 Films on the Islamic Tradition and Follow-up Panel Discussion
Possible Co-Sponsors: Religious Studies Department, Women’s Studies Department, Religious Studies Society
Film 1 - HIJAB: An Expression of My Soul
This creative film, directed by two Muslim women at Berkeley, is about immigrant and American-born Muslim women who wear the
hijab (the Muslim head scarf) in the United States. It provides a space for the Muslim women to express their voices and explain the
meaning and purpose of hijab and why they choose to practice it in Western culture. By asserting their identity, these women
challenge the audience to decide for themselves if the donning of hijab is liberation or oppression.
Film 2 - FACES OF ISLAM
A Special BBC Documentary
Featuring Shaykh Hamza Yusuf Hanson
In a beautiful documentary aired by the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) last year, the American Muslim scholar Shaykh
Hamza Yusuf Hanson takes viewers on a journey into the essence of the Islamic tradition. Hanson begins by discussing his own path
to Islam and his travels throughout the Muslim world, from the deserts of West Africa to big cities of the Arabian Peninsula. He then
explains how Islam is most-importantly a faith of peace and spiritual enlightenment, not a political movement or 'agenda'. Lastly, he
urges people to re-evaluate virtues that ancient peoples held as sacrosanct in light of a quickly changing modern world. This film will
provide a much-needed clarification on the true teachings of Islam at a time when Islam is at the forefront of American public
discourse.
**Also this event corresponds nicely with a SCARVES FOR SOLIDARITY DAY. Nevertheless, due to inherent time constraints,
we must put this off until a later date:
SCARVES FOR SOLIDARITY DAY
Many Muslim women on campus across the US are being harassed, criticized, condemned, and made to feel unwanted in their own
neighborhoods because of what they choose to wear. In many cases, after the tragedy of September 11th, they are even afraid to leave
their homes. Many people associate such discrimination with far-away places like Afghanistan or Iran, but this is happening right
here in the United States. Women who choose to wear modest Islamic dress, including a headscarf, have often been marginalized
within American society. However, since the events of September 11, it has become increasingly uncomfortable and difficult for
women to don Islamic dress-known as hijab-in public, due to the immense amount of misunderstanding and stereotyping of Islam. The
fact that people sometimes use religion to justify horrific acts has led many Americans to equate Islam with terrorism and
subsequently direct their rage at a whole religious group. Muslim women, because of their outward display of conviction, have
become easy targets for the condemning stares, hostile words, and even hate-crimes of ignorant individuals.
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Financial Necessities:
Food Catering
Media Advertisements
Promotional Flyers/Banners throughout the VCU/MCU Campus
Food Caterers:
Taste of Afrika
Mediterranean Bakery
West End Middle Eastern Restaurant
Aladdins
India Karaja
Media Outlets:
Commonwealth Times
VCU News
The Vine
Richmond Times Dispatch
**As always, the entire Richmond-area community is enthusiastically welcome to any and all MSA
events. Similar to the recent “Teach-In” that the MSA helped organize, we hope that this extensive
program can further unify us though our diversity.**