Today, the Muslim Student Association will host an event in an attempt to begin an ongoing dialogue on Islam and other inter-faith issues here at Moraine Valley Community College. I am proud to participate and to open the event as their advisor - here are my brief opening remarks:
Good afternoon, I would like to welcome you to this event, Islam: A moment of realignment – putting our perspectives into perspective sponsored by the Moraine Valley Community College Muslim Student Association. My name is Michael Morsches, and I am here with you as the sponsor of the MSA, the college’s liaison to the Arab-American community, a Muslim, and most importantly, as a member of this community who is dedicated to the success and welfare of all its students, regardless of ethnicity, race, or faith.
Eleven years ago, a group of terrible men perpetrated an unconscionable act on the USA and humanity. In an instant they changed the world for the worse, in ways far beyond the horrible destruction and loss of life of the day. These criminals corrupted many things eleven years ago, including the Western view of our faith, Islam. This wedge they have driven between us as Americans just might have been their ultimate goal. As a result, we as Muslims have listened as others have defined us and our faith daily for the past 4015 days. In some instances, this has led to positive debate and education, but most of us would agree that when we watch and listen to the media discuss Islam, we see and recognize very little of ourselves. My concern as an educator reaches well past the personal needs of my faith to my responsibility to help create a learning environment free from hate and bias, and most importantly, from the tyranny of bullies that would silence anyone’s voice. When people stop me and ask why we are doing this event on this day with a disapproving tone, it saddens me – this division is the fruit of that terrorism eleven years ago, and I don’t believe those terrorists should own the day a second longer. We seek to assert our positive voice in this community, and to take back that which was stolen from us – the right to define our own faith.
Today we don’t want to engage in a national debate, or to create any kind of debate for that matter. Today we simply want to introduce ourselves to you, and for you to meet us as students, faculty, peers, community members, and as friends. The first step towards this goal is to let you know who we think we are, then to let you judge us for yourselves. Over the next two hours you will meet several young people from our community who will share their diverse experiences and perspectives as Muslims here at MVCC. You will also hear from a prominent member of the local Islamic community who will share what we all believe to be the core tenets of our faith. Finally, you will have a chance to ask us questions and have time to visit with us personally if you wish at the end of the program.
Once again, welcome and thank you for coming and allowing us the opportunity to speak for ourselves about ourselves on this important day. September 11th has been a day that has exploited many of us in very negative ways – perhaps it is now time for all of us to exploit this day, and to begin a dialogue that a group of terrorists hoped we never had…..
Thank you.
Eleven years ago, a group of terrible men perpetrated an unconscionable act on the USA and humanity. In an instant they changed the world for the worse, in ways far beyond the horrible destruction and loss of life of the day. These criminals corrupted many things eleven years ago, including the Western view of our faith, Islam. This wedge they have driven between us as Americans just might have been their ultimate goal. As a result, we as Muslims have listened as others have defined us and our faith daily for the past 4015 days. In some instances, this has led to positive debate and education, but most of us would agree that when we watch and listen to the media discuss Islam, we see and recognize very little of ourselves. My concern as an educator reaches well past the personal needs of my faith to my responsibility to help create a learning environment free from hate and bias, and most importantly, from the tyranny of bullies that would silence anyone’s voice. When people stop me and ask why we are doing this event on this day with a disapproving tone, it saddens me – this division is the fruit of that terrorism eleven years ago, and I don’t believe those terrorists should own the day a second longer. We seek to assert our positive voice in this community, and to take back that which was stolen from us – the right to define our own faith.
Today we don’t want to engage in a national debate, or to create any kind of debate for that matter. Today we simply want to introduce ourselves to you, and for you to meet us as students, faculty, peers, community members, and as friends. The first step towards this goal is to let you know who we think we are, then to let you judge us for yourselves. Over the next two hours you will meet several young people from our community who will share their diverse experiences and perspectives as Muslims here at MVCC. You will also hear from a prominent member of the local Islamic community who will share what we all believe to be the core tenets of our faith. Finally, you will have a chance to ask us questions and have time to visit with us personally if you wish at the end of the program.
Once again, welcome and thank you for coming and allowing us the opportunity to speak for ourselves about ourselves on this important day. September 11th has been a day that has exploited many of us in very negative ways – perhaps it is now time for all of us to exploit this day, and to begin a dialogue that a group of terrorists hoped we never had…..
Thank you.
I am very proud of you...:)
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