Panel urges tolerance of Islamic students

ASBSU, along with the Idaho Statesman, sponsored a free community forum and panel discussion about the Islamic religion on Sunday evening at the Jordan Ballroom in the Student Union.

“The goal of the forum was to put a human face on the issues of the last several days. We want to try to prevent future stereotyping and violent acts toward the Muslims,” said executive editor of the Idaho Statesman, Carolyn Washburn.

Tariq Kergaye, representing the Islamic Center of Boise was the first member of the panel to speak.

He discussed his own life as a Muslim, especially while in the United States.

Kergaye asked the audience to “remember there are many different Muslim countries and people, don’t lump them all together.”

Boise State’s professor of history specializing in the Middle East, Michael Zirinsky, was the next to address the crowd.

Zirinsky expressed his belief that, “our immediate finger of suspicion on the Middle East and Muslims responds to our sense of needing someone to blame.”

Zirinsky reminded people to look at all their options before placing blame on anyone.

Denny Clark, professor of philosophy and religion at Albertsons College and the third person on the panel talked about differences within religions.

“Even if it was the Muslims,” Clark said, “honesty demands we recognize every religion has items in their doctrine that can be used or taken in inhumane ways. It doesn’t mean all members of that religion necessarily agree.”

The last member of the panel was Idaho’s refugee coordinator Jan Reeves.

He reminded the audience of the number of Muslim refugees living within the Treasure Valley.

“After the tragic events of 9-11, the refugees that arrive on our shores should remind us of the bloodshed taking place in other countries everyday, even in the 21st century.”

Reeves expressed the opinion that Americans should now be able to relate to the refugees, as they have seen the terror of their own being killed.

“Idaho residents and Americans in general should be united in out desire for peace and harmony.”

The panel then took a number of questions from the audience in a discussion format moderated by public affairs consultant Marc Johnson.

Unexpected was the amount of people who attended the event. The exact number of attendees is unknown, however to facilitate the crowd, event coordinators had to open another ballroom in the student union building.

Nate Peterson, the president of ASBSU commented on the numbers of people from the community who attended the event.

“Sunday’s event was very tremendous, there were so many people who wanted to come, to educate themselves on this issue,” he said.

Ashley Gettings

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