Neighbor News
Forum to Address Perceptions of Muslims in U.S.
A Community Forum in Newbury Park will address perceptions of Muslims in America amid an atmosphere of fears about terrorism.
A Community Forum in Newbury Park on Saturday, April 16 will address perceptions of Muslims in America amid an atmosphere of revulsion toward world terrorism committed by Islamic extremists.
Amir Hussain, a professor of theological studies at Loyola Marymount University, will discuss the beliefs and practices of American Muslims at the 7 p.m. forum at the Conejo Valley Unitarian Universalist Fellowship. Prof. Hussain holds master's and doctoral degrees in the study of religion from the University of Toronto. He will describe the religious beliefs of the vast majority of U.S. Muslims and how they differ from those of followers of Islamic State and other terrorist organizations.
Dr. Hussain, who teaches courses on world religions at Loyola Marymount, has an academic specialty in contemporary Muslim societies in North America. After his presentation, he will answer questions and lead a discussion at the forum at 3327 Old Conejo Road.
Find out what's happening in Agoura Hillsfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
His appearance will come after one presidential candidate called for a temporary ban on Muslims entering the country and another urged police to patrol and secure U.S. neighborhoods with large Muslim populations.
Hussain has said that in his work, he seeks to counter the association of Islam with extremism, violence and misogyny since 9/11. In an interview with LMU, the magazine of Loyola Marymount University, he said, "The majority of American Muslims are an American success story. Do we know that story — that they are successful precisely because they embrace and value the things that America represents?"
Find out what's happening in Agoura Hillsfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Dr. Hussain is co-editor of "World Religions: Western Traditions" and "World Religions: Eastern Traditions," textbooks published in 2014 by Oxford University Press. He recently completed a five-year term as the first Muslim editor of The Journal of the American Academy of Religion.
The Community forum is open to the public and free; donations will be accepted. For information, visit cvuuf.org/community-forum or call the church office at (805) 498-9548.