Interpreters of the Koran should emphasize unity instead of conflicting views, Islamic scholar Mufti Syed M. Hasan said in an Islam Awareness Week lecture last night at Pound Hall.
"We don't want uniformity, we want unity," Hasan told an audience of about thirty five.
Hasan is the Executive Director of the Institute for Islamic Education and Research in Miami, Florida. In his talk, Hasan repeatedly stressed that Islam is a "universal message."
"The word 'Islam' is Arabic, but any religion has its language," Hasan said, "In following Islam we follow all the religions of the world."
Hasan also warned against dogmatic approaches to the Koran, which may divide rather than unify communities.
"When [an interpreter's] perspective is insulted, he'll start working against us," Hasan said, "This is how factions begin."
The lecture was sponsored by three campus groups, including the Harvard Islamic Society, the Harvard Islamic Law Forum and the Harvard Foundation for Intercultural and Race Relations.
Harvard Islamic Society president Irfan Siddiqi '97 said that he was pleased with the turnout.
"Tonight's event shows unity and support for Islamic Awareness Week," Siddiqi said.
Umair A. Qadeer '97, who is also a member of the Harvard Islamic Society, said that Islam Awareness Week is an opportunity for the Harvard community to learn about Islam.
"Lot's of people are ignorant about Islam," Qadeer said. "It's an opportunity to get a new perspective." Qadeer said.
Read more in News
Edelman Advocates Protecting ChildrenRecommended Articles
-
Islamic Students, Journalist Spar Over TerrorismMembers of the Harvard Islamic community challenged controversial journalist Steven Emerson yesterday after a showing of his documentary on the
-
Extremism and Its ApologistsThis past Wednesday, Steven Emerson, an award-winning investigative reporter, and in the words of the New York Post, "the nation's
-
LettersColumn Fails to Distinguish Arabs From Muslims To the editors: Noah D. Oppenheim's piece (Op-Ed, Oct. 22), in its unconditional
-
Local Artist Shows Works Inspired By MosquesA local Muslim artist exhibited his culturally-inspired work to a gathering of more than 30 students and local residents last
-
Harvard Islamic Society Kicks Off Annual Awareness WeekThe Harvard Islamic Society (HIS) kicked off its annual celebration of Islamic Awareness Week on Sunday with a "Night of
-
Islam Is Not the EnemyLast spring, on the first day of Government 1800: "Globalization and its Discontents," I listened intently as The New York