The week's sponsors
Paid for by the Student Cultural Programming Fee
MONDAY
The Political Puppet: Islamophobia
Time: 7:00 pm
Where: Gregory Hall 213
Topic: In this lecture-and-discussion style event, Oussama Jammal will be discussing the different aspects of politics and how Islamophobia has infiltrated the political sphere today. Politicians, past and present, have often portrayed Islam in an extremely negative way, and by doing so, have moved America in a direction guided by fear and hatred. By holding this lecture, we hope to dismantle some of the pillars of Islamophobia and hopefully give a better picture of the region. A discussion will be held afterwards where we will be speaking in an informal setting to help clear up any conficting ideas one may have on Islamophobia and politics today.
Speaker: Oussama Jammal is the Secretary General of the United States Council of Muslim Organizations, a national coalition of several Islamic organizations. He is also the directory of the Muslim American Society's Public Affairs and Civic Engagement, an organization dedicated to empowering the Muslim community to participate in civic affairs. He is also the vice president of the Mosque Foundation in Bridgeview, Illinois.
Monday's Featured Speaker
Oussama Jammal
TUESDAY
#BlackLivesMatter in Islam
Time: 12:00 pm
Where: Transportation Building 114
Topic: A society cannot thrive if justice is incomplete, and as Muslims, the upholding of justice is vital to the complete submission required from those who practice the faith. With the rise and progression of the #BlackLivesMatter movement in mind, this lecture will highlight the duty that is on Americans - Muslim and otherwise - to rise up and act against the injustices being committed against the Black
community. Imam Khalid Herrington will not only be discussing how Islam is in complete agreement with this movement, but how we have a responsibility to aid those suffering at the hands of injustice and oppression in our communities.
Speaker: Khalid Herrington is a black Muslim public speaker and currently a teacher at Islamic Foundation School in Villa Park, IL. He was born to an African-American father from the Carolinas and white mother of European descent. Both his parents served in the US Army for over 20 years, and he lived all over the United States growing up. He says that "he has the blessing and curse of being a little bit of everything and nothing". He converted to Islam in 1995 and talks
powerfully about his experience as a bi-racial (darkskinned) black man and, after 1995, as a black Muslim man. He's an humble, wise, and engaging speaker.
WEDNESDAY
The Important Questions: Q&A
Time: 6:15 pm
Location: Social Work Building 2015
Come with all your questions to this open Q&A session hosted by the School of Social Work! Bring your friends, bring your questions, and hear answers to some of the difficult discussions being had about Islam today.
Thursday
Caretakers of the Earth: Interfaith Service Event
Time: TBA
Location: Soho Gratia Farm, 2200 S. Philo Rd, Urbana IL
We've only got one Earth, and it's our responsibility as fellow humans to work together to care for our home. Join us at Sola Gratia farms as we get our hands dirty with some farm work, and then sit down for an Interfaith discussion on the importance of caring for the Earth in each faith.
FRIDAY
Visit a Mosque Day
Time: 1:00 pm
Where: CIMIC, 106 S Lincoln Ave, Urbana, IL 61801
Phone: (217) 344-0022
The Central Illinois Mosque and Islamic Center (CIMIC) has been supporting Muslims in Central Illinois since 1983. Muslims of all nationalities and cultures come to CIMIC to pray every Friday during the congregational sermon and prayer. Please join us for a tour.