Faith

Islam was discussed at the University Islam – A Moderate Religion Chris Bard What do you feel when you hear the word "Islam"? For many people it has become synonymous with terror and terrorism. Overcoming that knee-jerk reaction was the aim at the Islamic Awareness week, being held at the Essex University near Colchester.

This was the title of a major conference recently during Islam Awareness Week at Essex University near Colchester. Helping understand how moderate Islam is One of the organisers, Fatima Alhewail, told me that the aim of the conference was to help people understand how moderate Islam is, and how beautiful it is as a religion. She feels that people in the media especially do not understand the concepts of Islam very well.  Now it is over, she hopes that those who attended will say 'Muslims are normal people like we are, and they are peaceful, and they are nice'. Jalal Ibn Sa'eed was saddened that people do not understand that Islam wants to better both community and the connection between human beings, and this not only for Muslims, but for everybody. He said he would love to get non-Muslims to look past what they think they know about Muslims and look at the religion of Islam. Addressing the Muslims, he says you should better learn your religion, better practice it, and therefore better represent it.  He told me that one of the most famous statements of all from Mohammed is ‘don’t harm the Jews and the Christians for they are my in-laws’.  He said, the Prophet (Peace be upon him) was at one point in time married to both a Jewish woman, and a Christian woman.  So he considered their parents to be his in-laws. Learning more about Islam As well as talks and displays, there were pastries and other more tangible ways to enjoy the hospitality of our Islamic brothers and sisters.  Bob Finch, a Methodist from Churches Together in Colchester was at the Conference because he thought it was important to take the opportunity to find out about Islam.  He felt the speakers made it very clear that Islam is all about moderation.  He said that although he had never read the Koran, he was assured that he now had a true perspective. Changing views about Islam Conference organiser, Soud Hyder, concluded that he would be really touched if lots of people’s views were changed about Islam because of what they had learned during the week.  http://www.bbc.co.uk N