Humanizing Islam: A personal journey

Social Studies Review, Fall 2002 by Infantino, Cynthia Percak

Humanizing Islam: A Personal Journey

Although I am a librarian, my advice for educators who wish to learn more about Islam is--don't just read about it! I'm convinced that, as important as it is to learn about Islam through the many excellent print and non-print resources currently available, a more complete understanding of Islamic culture is gained by experiencing it...meeting Muslims, enjoying the hospitality of Muslim households, visiting mosques, savoring the exquisite art and architecture, listening to Arabic/ Persian/Pakistani music, attending ethnic festivals.

My own appreciation of Islam evolved through a series of encounters in the U.S. and abroad; first in the fall of 1986, when I accompanied my late husband, Steve, on a sabbatical project (he taught philosophy and world religions at a community college). We were in residence at the Dar al-Islam community in Abiquiu, New Mexico and, for the first time, had extended discussions with Muslims about aspects of their faith and life. We also saw their values in practice... through their modesty of dress, generosity, appreciation of truth and beauty, dedication to family, respect towards others, and devotion to God through private and public worship.

Fast-forward to a second sabbatical in the spring of 1996, when Steve had a USIA research grant for study/travel in Jordan, Palestine, Egypt, and Turkey. Living in Islamic societies provided daily opportunities to interact with people and learn from them ... and put stereotypes to rest. Hearing the call to prayer throughout the day was a constant reminder of the primacy of religion, as was the peppering of conversations with phrases like bismillah (in the name of God) and insha'Allah (God willing). These are not gratuitous utterings, but are indicative of the consciousness of God that permeates one's life.

And, on my own in December 2001, 1 was privileged to observe the final three days of Ramadan with the Chami family in Rabat, Morocco; and, when the fast ended, the joyous celebration of the Eid al-Fitr. Back home in the Midwest, I have spent many happy hours with Muslim friends, mainly in connection with the Arab-American Action Network and the Arabic Music Retreat. Knowing Muslims personally has been a rewarding experience, providing continual insights into Islamic culture and society. As a result, I love to share the beauties of this culture with others, both in my professional and personal spheres: by sponsoring "Arab Voices," a book discussion series; promoting performances of traditional Oriental music; participating in interfaith dialogue; working with local organizations concerned with the rights of Palestinians; presenting slide shows to school and community groups; integrating Middle-Eastern cuisine into my home entertaining. As I like to tell friends, discovering Arab/Islamic culture was like opening a door and finding unimaginable treasures...that I never knew existed.

INTO THE CLASSROOM

Involving Muslims in your curriculum will provide an essential element for your students-by taking Islam out of the headlines and showing its human face. Contacts can be made through local mosques, Islamic cultural centers, or MSA (Muslim Students Association) chapters in universities. Metro areas with large indigenous populations may have ethnic cultural centers. Your school's own Muslim families can be an invaluable resource as well. Incorporating a wide array of instructional materials in the classroom, from film and video to online newspapers to literature, will supply an appetizing "menu" for students. Viewing On Boys, Girls and the Veil, for example, can lead to a fascinating discussion of Islamic dress, dating customs, and cultural differences (and similarities). This cinema verite-style documentary affords an intimate glimpse into the lives of contemporary Egyptian adolescents that students can relate to and empathize with. Another documentary, A Voice Like Egypt, traces the extraordinary career of Umm Kulthum, a universally-beloved vocalist whose roots were in Qur'anic singing. This captivating film/video also serves as a history lesson, as it chronicles the development of Arab nationalism in Egypt as a reaction to colonialism.

The interviews with celebrities and "everyday people" in restaurants and barbershops showcase the trademark Arab sense of humor and also convey the sound of the language. A now documentary on Moroccan music based on the fieldwork of DePaul University Prof. Vicki Vorreiter opens a window to Moroccan society. Reading online newspapers can be "humanizing" to the extent that a different point of view can be explored. The English-language version of the Jordan Times, for example, gives another perspective to the news of the region. Fiction is a very effective way to "get inside" the culture and identify with characters, much like film. There are many opportunities to incorporate novels into the curriculum; and these books are excellent for discussion groups/book clubs. Be sure your library/media center carries Arab and Islamic authors!