Speech gives perspective

Jihad is a scary word for most Americans. It brings dark images of suicide bombers and terrorists to mind. Islam is another word that might come to mind, but Ali Khan, Professor of Law at Washburn University spoke yesterday in the K-State Union urging the audience to recognize the complexity in the nation's Islamic community.

"We have to look at the term American Muslims, those are two words that haven't been put together before," Khan said. "Never less, when you put these things together, American Muslims, it still sounds strange."

Khan said there are about 7 million Muslims in the United States, and the community is extremely diverse encompassing all classes and races of people.

The speech emphasized that Muslims should not be judged because of the actions of a few of its members.

""When you say ‘American Muslim' you're constructing a group," Khan said. "This is a construct, something we have imagined. I think my first suggestion to you is, these people are all individuals, and we have chosen to call them a group, American Muslims."

Christians, Jews, and Muslims all believe in sin, an afterlife, one God, and accountability for actions in this life, but Khan said Muslims do not receive the same respect granted by Muslims.

Pictures of a Koran on toilet paper, a sign advocating burning the holy book, and a shirt saying Muslims are from the devil were all projected onto a screen for the audience.

Khan talked about how much Americans valued individualism, then he told the audience how Muslims are denied that treatment in the wake of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

Will Ramsey, freshman in finance, said he attended the lecture for Culture in Context, a class that urges the participants to go outside their comfort zone.

"I thought it was really good because I was able to learn a lot about Islam which is a culture I knew absolutely nothing about," Ramsey said. "Even though it was for a class it was very beneficial."

Even though Khan said the United States is still free, he said muslims are no longer trusted.

Another point Khan covered, dealt with Islam and violence. Khan said Islam did not condone wanton violence, but it also does not believe in pacifism.

"Islam does not believe in turning the other check, we believe you should rise up if you are oppressed," Khan said. "Islam does teach violence, but not gratuitous violence, not unjust violence.

Kendal Rice, sophomore in open option, said he enjoyed listening to Khan's thoughts' on Islam.

"I thought it was interesting," Rice said. "I have kind of more or less heard the same thing, but it was interesting to hear it from his perspective, him being Muslim."