Next Monday, Feb. 1, at 6 p.m. in the Chandler Ballroom, UMW will be welcoming Imam Yahya Hendi, who will speak about Islam and Islamophobia in regard to recent events in the United States. Imam Yahya Hendi is the Muslim chaplain at Georgetown University and has just concluded his 15 years of service as chaplain at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda.
Islamic Cultural Celebration: Islam Through The Ages
Islamic culture and religion has evolved and transformed over the centuries, broadening its traditional principles to become more open and progressive while still maintaining the integrity of its spiritual origins. Over time, events in Islamic culture have enlightened and even contributed to modern society. The Islamic Student Association and James Farmer Multicultural Center invite you to celebrate the vast Islamic culture and discover how it fits in with contemporary Western ideologies and values. Increase your awareness of the many Islamic contributions to the overall achievements of humanity, whether they be technological, ethical, cultural, or moral.
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Henna Night
Monday, November 28
Great Hall, Woodard Campus Center; 5 p.m.
The art of Henna is often thought of as being part of Islamic religion, but, in fact, it is part of its culture. The decorative body art has been in existence longer than Islam and is celebrated by individuals from around the world. Please join the Islamic Student Association as they address the history of Henna in combination with the opportunity to express yourself in utilizing this form of body art.
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Islamic Invention Display
Tuesday, November 29
Great Hall, Woodard Campus Center; 1 p.m. – 7 p.m.
While the Dark Ages consumed most of the world, the Islamic Empire carried the light of human civilization. Ranging from India to Spain, the Islamic Empire, from the Caliphates to the Ottoman Empire, were the world’s leaders in technology, medicine, and innovation. Come explore the inventions and discoveries that the Islamic Empire has contributed to the history of the world and modern society.
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Islam And Science: Movie Night
Film and Discussion
Wednesday, November 30
Monroe Hall, Room 116; 6:30 p.m.
Terms like algebra, algorithm and alkali are all Arabic in origin and at the very heart of modern science – there would not be modern mathematics or physics without algebra, computers without algorithms, or chemistry without alkalis. Join Physicist Jim Al-Khalili in a captivating documentary, as he travels through Syria, Iran, Tunisia, and Spain to tell the story of the great leap in scientific knowledge that took place in the Islamic world between the 8th and 14th Centuries.
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Islamic Cultural Banquet
Cultural Awareness Series Keynote Speaker: Imam Yahya Hendi
Thursday, December 1
Great Hall, Woodard Campus Center; 6 p.m.
The Islamic Cultural Banquet offers traditional food, fellowship, and a keynote lecture from Imam Yahya Hendi. Imam Hendi is the Muslim Chaplain at Georgetown University, the first American university to hire a full-time Muslim Chaplain. He has written numerous publications on many topics, including Islam and biomedical ethics, and religion and Islam in the United States. A sought-after speaker, Imam Hendi has presented a multitude of interfaith and general lectures in the U.S., Asia, Africa, Europe, Central Asia, Eastern Europe, Australia, and the Middle East over the past 14 years. He has traveled to more than 63 countries and 45 U.S. states for conferences.
Islamic Cultural Week 2011
“Stereotypical Islam: Dispelling the Myths, Labels, and Prejudices Surrounding Islamic Culture “
There is no poster child for Islam. It is a religion and culture that is constructed of a diverse community that cannot be defined by media images and the acts of extremists. In truth, Islam is a peaceful and open religion; one that is often typecast based on the false myths, labels, and prejudices created by various forms of media. The Islamic Student Association and James Farmer Multicultural Center aim to educate the members of the campus and greater community about the truths of Islamic culture and increase the acceptance levels of not only the members of the Islamic community, but all individuals who have suffered from intolerance.
Are you a Terrorist?
Film and Discussion • Monday, January 24
Lee Hall, Room 411; 5 p.m.
Please join the Islamic Student Association for the viewing of The Road to Guantanamo Bay. This film is a docudrama about “The Tipton Three,” three British men who were held in Guantanamo Bay by the United States government for two years. The film features interviews and archival footage to tell the story of possible abuse by the government in the name of fear. The film will be followed by a discussion about the actions that took place during the years these men were imprisoned and whether prejudices toward Islamic culture influenced these actions.
Muslims and Miniskirts: What you Don’t Know about Islamic Fashion
Fashion Show • Tuesday, January 25
Great Hall, Woodard Campus Center; 7 p.m.
Fashion in Islamic culture is certainly not confined to niqabs and kufis. It is just as diverse as the culture itself; filled with elements of self expression, wonderful colors, and a variety that ultimately dispels the stereotypical images media provide of the men and women of Islam. Members of the UMW community will model various fashions to highlight how different and actually modern the clothing and culture of Islam can be.
Henna Night
Wednesday, January 26
Great Hall, Woodard Campus Center; 5 p.m.
The art of Henna is often thought of as being a part of Islamic religion, but in fact it is part of its culture. The decorative body art has been in existence longer than Islam and is celebrated by individuals from around the world. Please join the Islamic Student Association as they address the history of Henna in combination with providing individuals the opportunity to express themselves utilizing this form of body art.
Islamic Cultural Banquet
Cultural Awareness Series Keynote Speaker:
Dr. Liyakat Takim
Thursday, January 27
Great Hall, Woodard Campus Center; 6 p.m.
The Islamic Cultural Banquet offers traditional foods, fellowship, and a keynote lecture from Dr. Liyakat Takim. Dr. Takim is the Sharjah Chair in Global Islam at McMaster University in Hamilton, Canada. He has written over 70 scholarly works on Islam in America, both pre- and post-9/11.
All events are free and open to the public unless otherwise noted.
For more information, contact James Farmer Multicultural Center, 540/654-1044, Lee Hall, Room 211 | www.umw.edu/multicultural