Professors to speak on perspectives on United States and Islam

CONTACT: Ellen
Chang
PHONE: (713) 348-6777
EMAIL: ellenc@rice.edu

RICE PROFESSORS
TO SPEAK ON PERSPECTIVES ON THE UNITED STATES AND ISLAM

In response to the
negative reaction and misunderstanding of Islam that resulted from the terrorist
attacks to the United States, a group of Rice University professors will present
a panel discussion on the meanings of jihad and holy war.

“Holy War? Perceptions
of Jihad in Islam” will be presented at 7:30 p.m. on Oct. 3 in the McMurtry
Auditorium of Anne and Charles Duncan Hall at Rice. The discussion will address
the basic tenets of Islam and the tendency to use the term “holy war”
interchangeably with “jihad,” although the two are not necessarily equivalent.

David Cook, assistant
professor in religious studies; Mahmoud El-Gamal, professor of Islamic
economics, finance and management; Ussama Makdisi, assistant history of
professor; and Allen Matusow, the William Gaines Twyman Professor of History
will speak about various issues pertaining to the terms jihad and holy war.
Paula Sanders, associate professor of history, will moderate the discussion.

“The tragedies of Sept.
11 brought to the forefront, both in the media and in everyday conversation, the
idea of Islamic extremism and the often related concept of jihad,” said Ammar
Ahmed, an officer in the Rice University Muslim Students Association.

“Among the many
stereotypes and misconceptions of Islam in this country, perhaps no subject is
as misconstrued as is jihad,” he said. “The problems begin at the very
definition of the word: the Arabic term jihad does not mean holy war, but rather
struggle.”

The panel discussion is
organized by two Rice student organizations: ADVANCE (Advocating Diversity and
the Need for Cultural Exchange), a group which tackles controversial issues and
promotes diversity at Rice, and the Rice Muslim Students Association.

To attend, take Entrance
16 off Rice Boulevard or Entrance 1 off of Sunset Boulevard. Parking is
available in the Founder’s court visitors lot.