Activities
On Sept. 10th and 12th of 2009, students of the Islam: Interpretation and Practice course (MEIS301 / ANTH318.01) with Professor Mehdi Rajabzadeh participated in a field trip to an Islamic Center in Oakland, CA.
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A number of students brought their friends and family members along to the Islamic Cultural Center of Northern California (ICCNC). The meeting was held from 7-10:30 pm in both days and coincided with two of the holiest nights of the month of Ramadan (the Nights of Power, in which the Quran |
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was sent down to Prophet Mohammad).
The Islamic center welcomed the students and their friends and families (more than 50) with open arms and the traditional Persian food.
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After the dinner, a group of the students participated in the congregational prayer with Muslims. The prayer was followed by a heartfelt speech of Dr. Hamid Mavani (Professor of theology at Claremont University, LA). His lecture was focusing on unity, tolerance, mutual understanding, and working for humanity. |
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The students had a great experience. Many of them had never seen Muslims in
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practice. Hearing about Islam’s inherent message of tolerance towards other views was quite remarkable and informative for the students. Students have repeatedly pointed out the message of unity and compassion that the speaker continously pronounced in the session. |
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They also found the prayer to be spiritual and uplifting, and by all means, they loved the food and the welcoming community!
