Campus & Community

Understanding Islam Series Presents a Comprehensive Look at Islam

Wednesday, September 26, 2018, By Kelly Homan Rodoski

Understanding Islam, a seven-week series that presents a comprehensive look at Islam through lectures and discussions, begins on Tuesday, Oct. 2, with an opening welcome by Brian Konkol, dean of Hendricks Chapel. These gatherings are intended for all members of the University community who are interested in deepening their understanding of Islam, a faith often misunderstood even though it is practiced by 1.8 billion people.

The series is facilitated by Muslim Chaplain Amir Duric and will be held on Tuesdays from 6-7:30 p.m. in Room 114 of Bird Library. It is sponsored by Syracuse University Libraries, Muslim Student Life at SU, the Muslim Students Association and Hendricks Chapel. All of the programs are free and open to the public.

Topics and the presenters are:

  • Oct. 2—introduction;
  • Oct. 9—”Ten Commandments of Islam,” presented by Imam Muris Neimarlija;
  • Oct. 16—”Women’s Rights in Islam,” presented by licensed counselor Anisa Diab;
  • Oct. 23—”Sunni-Shi’a Dichotomy and Politics in Early Islamic History,” presented by Ahmet Celik, a Ph.D. student in the Department of Religion in the College of Arts and Sciences;
  • Oct. 30—”Legacy of Muslim Civilization,” presented by Imam Amsal Memic;
  • Nov. 6—”The Role of Mosque and Community in the Life of Muslims,” featuring a mosque visit and a presentation by Imam Mohammed Alfiki; and
  • Nov. 13—”Faith in Practice and Conclusion,” presented by Al-Amin Muhammed, an advocate for the homeless and poor.

To register or to request special accommodations, contact Duric at aduric@syr.edu by Friday, Sept. 28.

Katelyn Bajorek, a junior in the College of Arts and Sciences, participated in the series during the Spring 2018 semester. “I was drawn to the series out of a desire to better understand a religion with which I had previously had little contact and which I considered to be often misunderstood,” she says. “In following the series, I learned about Islam not only through the weekly meetings with Mr. Duric, but through experience in listening to prayers, reading excerpts from the Qur’an, and visiting a local mosque. I highly recommend this series to anyone interested in deepening their knowledge of Islam in a welcoming and friendly environment.”