Reality check: Local Muslims face no threat; Americans uneducated on Islam

By Christian Clarke

At first glance and even after a second harder look, one still might not be able to see the local Islamic mosque on the south side of Fortin Road, next door to Dunkin Donuts.

The Muslim Community Center of Kingston can be found by walking through the doorway past the "NOW LEASING" sign in what formerly was a tanning salon. In the small hallway, there are cubbyholes half filled with the shoes and sneakers of those attending the Friday noontime prayer service.

Through the window, about 30 people, mostly middle-age males, can be seen on their hands and knees leaning forward toward the east. What is missing from this group, an observer later learns, is the unknown number of Muslim students who refuse to come in fear of being known.

"I ask the university to help encourage them to come," says Hasibul Hasque, the local Muslim cleric. "They just want to do their studies and graduate without problems."

Terms to know Salam Arabic term meaning "peace"; root word in "Islam" Prophet Mohammed In Islam, the last messenger sent by God (570 C.E.) before the Day of Judgment C.E. "Christian Era," used instead of A.D. The Holy Quran (Koran) The divine text of Islam Allah Name for the One and Only God of Islam Crescent and Star Popular symbol of Islam having several meanings (concentration, openness, victory, sovereignty, divinity) Sources of terms http://www.islam101.com http://www.fotw.net/flags/islam.html http://www.usc.edu/dept/MSA/reference/glossary.html

Anti-Muslim-American sentiment in post-9/11 United States has grown over the years, and according to an article of survey results released by Cornell University, nearly 44 percent of those polled wouldn't mind restrictions placed on the civil liberties of Muslim-Americans.

"It's surprising, but not unexpected," Hasque says.

This year the Muslim Student Association doesn't have a president to lead the student-run organization. Nasser Zawia, associate professor of biomedical sciences, says that because of fear of persecution for religious beliefs, the organization has become "inactive." As an advisor to the MSA, Zawia is still encouraging students to stand up and take leadership.

"They are afraid and are keeping a low profile," Zawia says.

The director of Multicultural Student Services, Melvin Wade, had dealt with past experiences of fear on campus, but was unaware of the survey's existence. "It [fear] may have increased, but I know [fear] has been there for a long time," Wade says.

Both Hasque and Zawia reassure that on URI's campus, there's nothing to fear. Zawia, an activist who serves on the Rhode Island Council for Muslim Advancement, says he never has received any direct threats or personal harm because of his religious background.

Clearing the Air on Islam

The Cornell study has presented a case that at least half of Americans hold misconceptions or are poorly educated about Islam and predominately Islamic countries. Zawia suggests that "education and putting things into historical facts" might remedy the negative opinions.

In the study conducted by Cornell University, an average of 50 percent of those surveyed believe that predominantly Muslim countries are "violent, fanatical, and dangerous."

"Religion is about peace," Zawia says in response to the article from Cornell News about the survey. "You cannot blame Islam for something that is cultural."

Five Pillars of Faith Iman (Faith) Salah (Prayer) Zakah (Charity) Sawm (Fasting) Hajj (Pilgrimage) For more information

Islam derives from the Arabic word Salam, meaning "peace." In a religion that promotes peace, why would Americans get the idea that Muslim nations are so volatile? Zawia blamed the news media's coverage of violence in the Middle East post-9/11. Hasque agrees that media have influence over American's perceptions.

Violent fundamentalists and extremists do exist in Islam, as in many other religions, but not all Muslims agree with such tactics. As Zawia says, extremism is "unhealthy," but one can understand why extremists exist.

Although the mostly commonly held image of a Muslim is a person of Middle-Eastern descent, Islam is open to people of all nationalities, all social statures and both genders.

Another misconception cited in the survey was the mistreatment of women in Islamic society. Again Zawia says that treatment is cultural and has nothing to do with Islam.

"Women have had suffrage for 1,400 years in Islam," Zawia says. "Women also are entitled to inheritance, education, vocation, and financial control. Even the Prophet [Mohammed] worked for his wife."

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