The Islam Workshop was an excellent event! I took a lot of new information, and teaching resources from it that I would like to incorporate in the classroom. The panel was full of interesting and very knowledgeable speakers. Each guest enhanced my knowledge of Muslims, whom I did not know constituded the 2nd largest religion in the world (embarassing? YES!)
Because the Muslim population was emphasized and put under the microscope after 911, and portrayals of Muslims were being distorted by the media, I wanted to learn about religion and it's people on my own terms and through educated research. So, I jumped at the opportunity to attend the workshop.
One of the things I found fascinating, and became clearer to me, was the "5 Pillars of Islam". Although, I had heard of the pillars and what it took to be a "good" muslim, I never quite understood the practice. Dr. Barbara Pillsbury shared an intriguing power point of "Muslims in China" where she discussed in detail each ritual: 1) There is no god but Alah, 2) Daily Prayer, 3) Charity, 4) Fasting during the month of Ramadan, and 5) the Pilgrimage to Mecca. The pictures helped clarify what the rituals entailed, as well as, showed the distinct and varying faces of muslims---unfortunately I had a preconceived notion of what "all" Muslims looked like. Dr. Pillsbury intrigued the spectators with her slides of "The faces of Muslims" and showed images of Muslim Chinese, and Indian Muslims. Surprised at the pictures I was looking at, I immediately felt foolish and ignorant when I realized the extent of my stereotyping! But it was englightening and educational. And now I can used what I have learned to spread my understanding of what Muslims are.
Thanks!
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