Sarah Kezer
In a UCF auditorium packed with students, adults and a little tension, Imam Siraj Wahhaj lead conversation about Islam in America on Friday night as part of the Muslim Student Association's series of events for Islam Awareness Month.
Wahhaj, a figurehead in the Islam community and the imam of a Brooklyn mosque, addressed what it means to be a black man, a Muslim and an American.
"I'm loyal to my country. I criticize it when I should, I agree with it when I should, but this is my country," said Wahhaj. "I have one passport and that passport says United States of America."
Individuals and some groups in Florida opposed the imam coming to UCF to speak and protested his presence outside the Nicholson School of Communications building before the event. They also projected some disruptions throughout.
Wahhaj said he was there to clear up misconceptions.
"I honestly believe that many Muslims do not understand their religion. Also, I think there are a lot of people who think they know about Islam but they don't," said Wahhaj. "So tonight I hope to set the record straight and teach you something about Islam that perhaps you didn't know."
Wahhaj outlined several teachings and respect for prophets that Christianity, Judaism and Islam share.
"I'm trying to lay the foundation of the similarities of the religions," said Wahhaj.
Wahhaj said that Muslims share in the beliefs that the Torah is the word of God and hold reverence for Jesus, who is mentioned in the Quran 25 times and referred to as the messiah.
Juliana Velasco, an international relations senior and member of Amnesty International, attended the program to learn more about Middle Eastern culture, which she has been studying.
"I came for some more information and a better understanding," said Velasco. "Seeing the protests is also an experience in itself."
Huma Khan, a mechanical engineering senior, said she has seen Wahhaj speak at other events. Khan said that Wahhaj is someone she can relate to because he is a Muslim who was born and raised in America, like herself.
"I didn't know that so many people still didn't know about Islam," said Khan. "When I came in people were handing out negative propaganda about him and I thought people were over that stage. Today is probably the first time in a long time that someone has approached me with negative propaganda about my own religion."
February 25, 2010, Central Florida Future
