Sharing thoughts on "Muslims in the Media: Separating Fact from Fiction," Tuesday with the capacity crowd in Meldon Hall on the Eissey Campus of Palm Beach State College.

Once again it was the kids — this time Palm Beach State College students — who reminded me why I’m hopelessly optimistic about the possibilities for humanity.

For example I so appreciated the young man who, as we approached the two-hour point in the scheduled hour-and- a half program, stood in the question-and-answer line to comment:

“I want to start off by saying I came here today because I was supposed to be here for class. But — I learned a lot…Before I came here, I thought that in the media, that’s what I saw as Muslim…I learned more about the Muslim religion today than ever before.”

Even more gratifying were the thoughts of a young woman who has served in Iraq. Regarding the healing mission of the proposed Islamic cultural center in Manhattan, she said:

“I agree with you totally: Why not? If they had mosques already there, before it went down, then why can’t you put it there again?…America is a place where everybody can be whoever you are, and you can have your religion, your beliefs, your faith, whatever you want. Why is it so much trouble to educate everybody, to let them know that, ‘Even though you think one thing, there are other things out there that are good for those people too.’ I don’t understand how are you supposed to educate people, and to stop the hatred toward other people, if you are not allowed to?”

A lady deserving our salute.

I responded that my thought is it’s an education process, and we just have to keep working at it. Later as we shared a few words (and I gave her a salute) she added: “I think the problem is with the people, not with the religions.”

Still, as usually is my experience in these dialogues, a minuscule few looked past all the good unifying  information that was presented, from varied perspectives besides my own, and focused on what they fear.

One Egyptian-born elder said he had studied the Quran in Arabic for nearly decade. Yet unlike Chiara Lubich, the blessed Christian lady who moments earlier had appeared on a video screen in excerpts of her historic 1997 address at the Malcolm Shabazz Mosque, he seemed to have gleaned little of the spirit of the book.

Another lady seemed worried about sharia law becoming American law. I didn’t get the impression that she was interested in my recommendation of the definitive recent commentary on the subject, by Sumbul Ali-Karamali. But I hope she takes time to read it so that — borrowing a line from a former U.S. first lady — she can be informed, rather than just rhetorical. As Ali-Karamali writes: “If you read the anti-Islam fear-mongering websites, all you’ll learn will be tall tales.”

If there was something that disturbed me, it was the Muslim student who said she was tired of having to defend herself. In fact the Muslim students I met, from Bengladesh, Ethiopia and elsewhere, were a joy. For their being on the defensive — something that I as a Muslim American refuse to accept — our news organizations’ lazy, religious-profiling approach is complicit.

Generally, it was the overwhelmingly positive comments of the young and younger adults in the room that warmed my heart and reminded me why the future is bright. Just as I had little tolerance for any shout-you-down debate session, the kids showed there was little room for small minds and narrow thinking. Beyond the preponderance of bright minds, another sign that they appreciated the discussion is the fact that so many stayed for so long.

Once again, however, the prevailing sentiment in response to the myths debunked and background shared was: Why is it we don’t know this?

We’re still going to have to work on the media piece, which was my talk’s centerpiece. These days, the more I try to talk about the performance of our media organizations, the more folks want credible information about Islam and Muslims instead. Having that provided by our news media continues to be a challenge.

I’m grateful for the opportunity to have shared some perspectives that folks tend not to get. For that I again thank the Eissey Campus Diversity Committee, the Student Activities Office, Dr. David Pena and Christie Bravo of the Library Learning Rescources Center, the Spanish Club, PBSC’s faculty members, directors, President Dennis Gallon and all of today’s guests.

And once again, the kids.

Signing a program flyer at the request of a new friend who said: "Thank you, I wish everybody thought more like what you’re talking about today. It would be a much better world." We agreed that it’s an ongoing learning process. And in her words: “Eventually we’ll get there.”

— C.B. Hanif

Gholam Rahman (center) of the Muslim Community of Palm Beach County is flanked by Dr. David Pena of Palm Beach State College (L), as a smiling Judy Bonner of the First Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Palm Beaches chats with Rabbi Barry Silver during last month’s event.

With G-d’s Name, the Merciful Benefactor, the Merciful Redeemer

Join Us As We Again Spotlight

“Model Interfaith Dialogue & Unity”

Featuring the unprecedented documentary:

“8 Centuries of Muslims in America”

Chronicling the history and contributions of Muslims in America dating from before the arrival of Columbus right up to today. Former Palm Beach Post writer/editor C.B. Hanif leads this fourth in a series of public-interest DVD & discussion gatherings featuring remarkable religious, ethnic and cultural diversity and unity:

Sunday, Sept. 26, 2-4 p.m.

United Methodist Church

of the Palm Beaches

900 Brandywine Road, West Palm Beach 33409

This monthly series continues in the spirit of the Interfaith Clergy Committee’s annual Institute Day program (“Promoting Civil Discourse in a Polarized Nation: People of Faith Respond”); the Delray Beach Interfaith Clergy Association’s First Interfaith Harvest Dinner; the 9^th Annual Family Interfaith Picnic hosted by New Africa of the Palm Beaches; and the recent examination of Focolare founder Chiara Lubich’s 1997 address to a gathering of 3,000 at Harlem’s historic Malcolm Shabazz Mosque.

Journey with us as we again seek to learn about each other rather than define or convert each other, learn to be the first to love the other, and develop exemplary models for interreligious interaction and cooperation.

No admission fee; donations accepted.

Organized by New Africa of the Palm Beaches and the Focolare of South Florida.

DIRECTIONS FROM I-95: Take Exit #71 west onto Palm Beach Lakes Blvd. Turn right at first corner then left at next (three-way stop sign). UMCPB is on left. For more information call 561-309-5476.

On the sign-in table was the Focolare’s Living City magazine edition proclaiming “Building blocks for world peace.” In the room, that’s what was happening. I’m not sure which was more inspiring: the enlightening DVD and discussion, or the wonderful human spirit with which folks connected after.

As we plan what’s next, while encouraging you and yours to do the same where you are (and/or join us next time), here are more scenes as Christian members of the Focolare in South Florida, Muslim members of New Africa of the Palm Beaches, and folks from other spiritual traditions joined for an examination of the late Blessed Lady Chiara Lubich‘s historic 1997 address at Harlem’s Malcolm Shabazz Mosque, at the invitation of the late eminent Imam Warith Deen Mohammed:

Thanks to the gracious United Methodist Church of the Palm Beaches congregation for again hosting this excellent manifestation of model community life that UMCPB, and the other spiritual communities represented, embody and foster.

(And thanks to my sweetie, Aneesha, for all the photo work.)

— 30 —

Join Us As We Again Spotlight

“Model Interfaith Dialogue & Unity”

Featuring an examination of Focolare founder Chiara Lubich’s historic 1997 address to a gathering of 3,000 at Harlem’s Malcolm Shabazz Mosque. The event sparked a continuing upsurge in interfaith collaboration.

Sunday, July 25, 2-4 p.m.

United Methodist Church of the Palm Beaches

900 Brandywine Road, West Palm Beach 33409

Former Palm Beach Post writer/editor C.B. Hanif moderates a video and discussion with Mercedes Mont and Martin Alfaro, Christian members of the Focolare Movement.

The Focolare’s “Spirituality of Unity” has resonated with members of other faiths and spiritual traditions in more than 180 countries. Particularly among our Muslim community here in the U.S., the dialogue has sparked a dynamic and devoted relationship and initiatives of collaboration.

This program follows on the heels of such activities as the Interfaith Clergy Committee’s annual Institute Day program (“Promoting Civil Discourse in a Polarized Nation: People of Faith Respond”); the Delray Beach Interfaith Clergy Association’s Interfaith First Harvest Dinner; the 9^th Annual Family Interfaith Picnic hosted by New Africa of the Palm Beaches; and last month’s “Muslims & Christians in Model Dialogue and Friendship” forum at the same location.

Journey with us as we again seek to learn about each other rather than define or convert each other, learn to be the first to love the other, and develop this exemplary model for Interreligious interaction and cooperation.

“Religions, with all their differences, are being called on to come together as never before.” — Cardinal Francis Arinze, president of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue

“The Principle of Love, taken from the message of Jesus Christ, is an idea we embrace totally, and anybody can embrace totally.” — Imam W. Deen Mohammed

No admission fee; donations accepted.

Organized by New Africa of the Palm Beaches and the Focolare of South Florida.

DIRECTIONS FROM I-95: Take Exit #71 west onto Palm Beach Lakes Blvd. Turn right at third traffic light and left at three-way stop sign. UMCPB is on left. For more information call 561-309-5476.