“Growing up completely ignorant of everything outside of my little Judeo-Christian realm, I think that its important to study a religion as influential as one that claims 64 countries of majority standing,” said Paul Zegelbone ’08, who attended the first meeting of the discussion series “Introduction to Islam: Rumor or Reality.”
The session was led by Muslim Chaplain Abdullah Antepli on Monday, Oct. 11.
Approximately 17 students went to the first session, held in the religion department. Antepli said that he hopes there will be enough interest to encourage the University to implement a two-semester Introduction to Islam course that he also hopes to teach.
“After 9/11, Islam has drawn a lot of attention, and there is a lot of information floating around in the media about Islam that is very negative,” Antepli said. “Islam is in the center of consciousness and is often associated with killing and revenge, which is pretty much not true at all.”
Antelpi decided to run the discussion series after many students, both Muslims and non-Muslims alike, contacted him with questions about the basic elements of the Islamic faith, culture and the similarities between American Muslims and Muslims around the world.
“I think that the first discussion session went very well; it definitely provided the basis for further exploration into the world of Islam,” said Ben Smyser ’08. “Before you can really study any religion, you have to learn what its main tenets are, and that is what we began and will continue to do.”
Antepli was hired last year in response to requests by Wesleyan’s Muslim students who wanted someone to lead festivals and teach them more about their religion.
Antepli is currently in his final year as a graduate at Hartford Seminary where he studies Islamic Studies and Christian-Muslim relations. He is currently working on his dissertation on the “Abrahamic trialogue” (Islam, Christianity and Judaism) and interfaith relations.
The discussion group is designed as an introductory course to the religion, history and civilizations of Islam for those with little or no previous background. Participants will look at the major doctrines, movements, goals and purposes of Islam in addition to the many ways in which Islam is practiced as a living faith in different parts of the world, including North America.
“The most important aspect I hope to cover is ‘Islam as Westerners’ because the religion can easily be perceived simply as an accumulation of knowledge gathered from unreliable sources,” Antepli said.
Both the Dean of Student Affairs Richard Culliton, and Chair of the Religion Department Ron Cameron have welcomed the idea of the course, pending its reception by students.
Professor of Arabic Yasir Hamed said he believes the course would be a beneficial option for students.
“I think that it is very important for the school to set up a real Introduction to Islam course because Islam is a major religion and also because currently, world affairs put us in the western world, especially in America, into close contact with Muslim peoples,” Smyser said. “Therefore in order to truly understand where they are coming from, we need to understand all the components of their backgrounds and personalities.”
On Nov. 1, the group will be taking a trip to an interfaith Iftar, a dinner held to break the daily fast during Ramadan, at the Radisson hotel in Cromwell, Conn. The feast is sponsored by the Harmony Foundation, of which Antepli is a director.
The discussion sessions are open to all students, regardless of their background in Islam. It will meet every Monday from 5:30 to 7 p.m. through mid-April.
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