“Facing Our Fears about Islam,” a three-part program, will take place on the Oct. 20, Oct. 27 and Nov. 3 at the Islamic Center of Rochester, 727 Westfall Road, Brighton. The programs will run from 7 to 8:30 p.m. and are free and open to the public.
The series will use a combination of videos and speakers to focus on the fears non-Muslims tend to have about Muslims and Islam. These fears often are triggered by media use of words and images. Presenters will look at these words and images to see where the problems lie, and to work out ways of addressing them.
Planned themes and speakers are:
* Oct. 20 — “What Shapes American Views of Islam?” presented by Emil Homerin, professor of religion and classics, University of Rochester
* Oct. 27 — “Media Images of Islam: Fact and Myth,” presented by Dr. Melanie May, vice president, Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School
* Nov. 3 — “Overcoming Our Fears of the ‘Other,'” presented by the Rev. Gordon Webster, Downtown United Presbyterian Church, Rochester.
These programs are being presented by the Commission on Christian Muslim Relations and cosponsored by the Muslim Catholic Alliance, Nazareth College and the Center for Interfaith Studies and Dialogue. For more information, contact Deacon George Dardess at gdardess@yahoo.com or 585-442-0117.
