“There is some ambivalence within the community,” said Hussein Rashid, a visiting professor of religious studies at Hofstra University who specializes in Islam in America. “We still want to know who is going to be involved in this. So far, we have heard from just a few Muslim voices. If this is meant to be a community center, who in the community will be involved?”
My interview on The Takeaway about Park51, the so-called Ground Zero Mosque.
In light of this local issue that’s quickly morphed into a national cause, we turn to a larger question surrounding the debate: what are our country’s views toward Islam, nine years after 9/11? In regard to the extreme opposition to the proposed Islamic center, Hussein Rashid, a religion professor at Hofstra University, believes it is symbolic. Rashid says, “It’s ‘anti-other people’ hysteria… there’s no other mechanism to [vent] frustration [against Muslims].”
But Hussein Rashid, an American-born Muslim who teaches religion at Hofstra University, said he couldn’t make a “blanket statement” on the subject.
“Depending on how the parents managed it, it could be an enriching experience,” he said.
One Family, Two Faiths, A Multitude Of Questions | The Jewish Week
I am currently in fellowship that focuses on social entrepreneurship and inter-cultural relations. At the end, I will join the network of AdR Fellows. Details can be found here.
The full piece can be heard on PRI’s website for the The World. Lots of good music.
“It is poorly named since there is no honor in killing a woman. What these crimes are about is controlling a woman and it is not something unique to just Muslim society,” Hussein Rashid, a visiting instructor at Hofstra University’s Department of Religion, told Fox411.com. “I can’t put words in these men’s mouths, but it sounds like they had real issues with the success of a woman in their household and that this is about a loss of power.”
From Fox411 (they will hopefully fix the affiliation):
Hussein Rashid, religion professor and religion dispatches associate editor at Hofstra University, said he is concerned that self-censorship will lead to a shutdown of the dialogue that must continue if people can be brought to understand the true meaning of Islam.
“I don’t think it is ever smart to self-censor,” Rashid told Fox411.com. “I am a big believer that the response to speech should always be more speech. I think this ‘South Park’ episode has been good for that conversation.”
Hussein