Panel Discussion on Islam to Address Election Rhetoric, Highlight Personal Experiences

The University of Findlay will host a panel discussion about Islam on Thursday, Oct. 27 at 6:30 p.m. in Ritz Auditorium. The free, public event is intended to educate as well as offer personal insight.
Participating will be well-known Muslim scholar and dynamic speaker Imam Talal Eid, Th.D., director of religious affairs for the Islamic Center of Greater Toledo; UF professors Song-Chong Lee, Ph.D., associate professor of religion, and Elizabeth Buchanan, Ph.D., assistant professor of history; and students Nada Bahammam, an undergraduate education major from Saudi Arabia, and Ahmed_Hussein Al-eteiwi, a graduate student from Jordan studying Teaching English as a Second Language.
Erin Laverick, Ph.D., associate professor of English as an International Language and Intensive English Language Program director, and Shawn Graves, Ph.D., assistant professor of philosophy, are organizing the event. They hope it will address misunderstandings and confusion about the Islamic faith, which continues to be a focus during this election season.
The forum will give some of the University of Findlay Muslim students an opportunity to share with the public their religious and cultural perspectives, Graves said. Professors Lee and Buchanan have years of teaching and research expertise. Imam Eid has significant ecumenical and interfaith dialogue experience, and has hosted many community events that have brought people of all beliefs together.
“This is a nice opportunity for our Muslim students to share with the community information about their faith and their own stories about living here, and for all panelists to respond to some of the rhetoric on Islam that election candidates have presented,” Graves said.
Laverick and Graves will moderate the discussion, which will include questions from the campus community and from the audience.
Light refreshments will be served.
For more information about the panel discussion, contact Laverick at knoche@findlay.edu or at 419-434-4831; or Graves at graves@findlay.edu or at 419-434-4774.

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