In conjunction with Islamic Awareness Week, the Muslim Student Association screened videos to educate the Coon Rapids campus about the Islam faith and culture
By Gail Wilson
Staff Writer
The Coon Rapids Muslim Student Association held an informational meeting in the Courtyard Commons on March 17 for the purpose of educating others about the religion of Islam.
A series of short film clips were shown to provide clarification of what Muslims are really like and what they really believe
“The video clips are informational. Lots of things present the Muslim way of life in a negative way. We want to present what Islam is. Its students of the Muslim faith educating students about Islam and what it is really about,” said Abdul Jabar Jillo, President of the MSA.
According to Jillo, there are a lot of misconceptions in the media about Muslims. The MSA hoped to clear up those misconceptions.
“If students have questions, they should always ask and we are always willing to educate people anything about Islam. No question is stupid,” said Jillo.
The MSA showed the video clips also to clear up misunderstandings about Muslims being threatening.
“Before labeling people as terrorists, you should get to know them,” said Jillo, who also goes by the nickname of Somo.
The clips shown advocated messages such as, to know about Islam one must start with the Quran. There were messages about Muslims being charitable people and that Mohamed their prophet promoted a message of peace.
Jillo said another purpose for the films was to clear up misperceptions of the women’s head covering called the Hijab. According to one of the films shown, wearing the hijab “means different things. The biggest myth is that Muslim women are forced to wear hijab by male relatives. Many women wear the head cover without even having any male relative. Every choice is based on freedom of choice. Women wear the hijab out of complete submission to the creator.”
The final video clip shown was about Jesus to show how Islam views Jesus and to show that they are similar rather than different.
“The Muslim perspective on Jesus is that he is a prophet. We do follow His word. The prophet Mohamed, peace be upon him, was the last messenger,” said Maliha Khatoon, member of the MSA.
There are many opinions about people who are Muslim being advocated throughout society.
“I hope we can all learn from our differences. Everybody who comes from different cultural or religious background has something to offer. We could all learn from one another,” said Jillo.
For further information about the Muslim community, students and faculty are welcome to go to the Mosiac Center in SC178 and ask questions or they can email MSA member Maliha Khatoon at [email protected].