2008 Woodie Awards
All About Islam
Jake Kohlman
Issue date: 12/3/04 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
On Wednesday, November 10, Bassem Chaaban from the Islamic Society of Central Florida came to talk to students in the packed SunTrust Auditorium. The event, sponsored by the Philosophy and Religion Department, the Anthropology Department, and SEA, was advertised as a way to learn the basics of Islam and have questions answered.
Chaaban began the event with a PowerPoint presentation, which he used to give a rough sketch as to what Islam really is. First, Chaaban outlined where in the world Muslims are located. In trying to show that Islam is not just an "Arabic" religion, he pointed out that Indonesia has the largest Muslim population in the world with 190 million Muslims. The United States has 7-8 million Muslims among its citizens.
Chaaban went on to describe the Five Pillars of Islam: Shahada (testimony), Salat (five daily prayers), Zakat (religious tax), Segam (fasting the month of Ramadan), and Hajj (Pilgrimage to Mecca). He tried to stress the similarities Islam has to other religions, particularly Christianity and Judaism. He stressed that Jesus Christ has a place in Islam and that all three religions worship the same God.
Chaaban said that there are no Islamic countries in the world today. He defined an Islamic country as one that completely abides by Islamic principles and noted that such a state does not currently exist. He said there are Muslim countries, but that these are countries in which the populations of the countries identify themselves as Muslims. Chaaban also said that the United States was the closest place in the world to being an Islamic country.
During the question and answer session, Chaaban defended Islam against charges of being oppressive to women by saying that there is oppression everywhere, and this is not solely a Muslim problem.
To another question Chaaban responded bluntly that Islam views homosexuality as a crime that is severely punished. Chaaban said that it "destroys the foundation of the family" and that homosexual acts are the problem, not thoughts.
Chaaban stressed throughout the event the disgust he and many other Muslims have towards people like Osama bin Laden. He stressed that Islam is a peace-loving religion and that bin Laden and others have distorted the religion to meet their own needs. Mr. Chaaban said that no "true Muslim" would agree with bin Laden's views. Further, he blamed the US media for further perpetuating stereotypes of Muslims and failing to make distinctions between people like bin Laden and the majority of the Muslim population.
Chaaban began the event with a PowerPoint presentation, which he used to give a rough sketch as to what Islam really is. First, Chaaban outlined where in the world Muslims are located. In trying to show that Islam is not just an "Arabic" religion, he pointed out that Indonesia has the largest Muslim population in the world with 190 million Muslims. The United States has 7-8 million Muslims among its citizens.
Chaaban went on to describe the Five Pillars of Islam: Shahada (testimony), Salat (five daily prayers), Zakat (religious tax), Segam (fasting the month of Ramadan), and Hajj (Pilgrimage to Mecca). He tried to stress the similarities Islam has to other religions, particularly Christianity and Judaism. He stressed that Jesus Christ has a place in Islam and that all three religions worship the same God.
Chaaban said that there are no Islamic countries in the world today. He defined an Islamic country as one that completely abides by Islamic principles and noted that such a state does not currently exist. He said there are Muslim countries, but that these are countries in which the populations of the countries identify themselves as Muslims. Chaaban also said that the United States was the closest place in the world to being an Islamic country.
During the question and answer session, Chaaban defended Islam against charges of being oppressive to women by saying that there is oppression everywhere, and this is not solely a Muslim problem.
To another question Chaaban responded bluntly that Islam views homosexuality as a crime that is severely punished. Chaaban said that it "destroys the foundation of the family" and that homosexual acts are the problem, not thoughts.
Chaaban stressed throughout the event the disgust he and many other Muslims have towards people like Osama bin Laden. He stressed that Islam is a peace-loving religion and that bin Laden and others have distorted the religion to meet their own needs. Mr. Chaaban said that no "true Muslim" would agree with bin Laden's views. Further, he blamed the US media for further perpetuating stereotypes of Muslims and failing to make distinctions between people like bin Laden and the majority of the Muslim population.