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Allure of Islam attracts convert
By Chris Jenson Kansan staff writer
While Frank White was visiting Egypt in the summer of 1989, he grew fond of hearing the bells that call Muslims to prayer.
After returning to the United States, the Lawrence resident found that although he had stopped hearing the bells, they still rang in his heart.
White recently converted to Islam, a drastic change from his conservative Catholic upbringing.
"The majority of Westerners have one concept of Islam, that of the Arab on the camel, or of the terrorist doing something in the name of Islam," said the 43-year-old White, who has changed his name to Mohammad Said. "There is notting in the Koran that says tc be violent to another person."
Hamed Ghazali, president of the Muslim Stu-
 association, agreed that Islam was a misunder-
standing.
But he said the religion had gained popularity during the past few years because of its similarity to Christianity. Muslims believe in one god, that people are judged after death and that revelations to Moses, Jesus and others are the word of God.
"Islam has become more acceptable to the mind," he said. "It is a comprehensive system of rules."
Ghazali said the student organization had helped convert two people to Islam last semester and about 10 people during the last few years.
Said said he was first exposed to the religion
wnite serving in the Marine Corps in Morocco. A man he had worked with was a devout Muslim, and Said he used to laugh at the man's constant maving.
Muslims are required to pray five times a day as part of their devotion to Allah.
After watching the man for several days, Said said he began to appreciate the Muslim's devotion. This fascination led him to begin reading and learning about the religion.
But it was not until a year ago that Said began to immerse himself in the religion. He began reading the Koran, the holy book of Islam.
Said said that through talks with friends and Muslims he knew, he learned of the Islamic Center of Lawrence, 1300 Ohio St. Said attended his first service there Friday evening.
While he was at the service, he said there was a small fire in the mosque.
"The incredible thing about it is that everything in the room with the fire was burned except for the Koran," Said said. "It was untouched."
Performing the final prayer ceremony of the day, Frank White (center), who has changed his name to Mohammad Said, and fellow Muslim Yahya Khanar, face the Islamic holy city of Mecca to offer thanks to Allah. The ritual is performed five times a day.
One of the main aspects of Islam that attracted Said was that the religion did not persecute against other religions or beliefs. he said. Said Islam because it did not try to convert people.
"You convert by being an example for others to," he said. "Muslims show rather than passions."
"The conversion process is simple, Said said.
He had to profess that Mohammed was the last true prophet of Allah, and that Allah is the only true God.
"The conversion was performed in front of three Muslim witnesses, and we said the vows
in Arabic and then English," he said.
Kalteen D'Annette of Lawrence said her friend's new found faith had made him a more calm and accepting person.
"If anything, this has made him a more tolerant person," D Annette said. "I'm just happy that they were so accepting of him."
Said said that his main reason for conversion
was to become a stronger person.
"If nothing else I now have a greater inner peace," he said.
Forum discusses issue of women's leadership
By Shelly Solon
Kansan staff writer
Women's leadership styles are effective leadership styles, a KU professor said last night at a forum about the issue.
Diana Prentice Carlin, assistant professor of communication studies, said that some people might think women's leadership styles were less successful than men's. But typical female qualities, such as being encouraging, accommodating and open about feelings, are good leadership qualities, she said.
After a workshop on women's leadership roles, Gina Daghestani, Des Moines, Iowa, senior, picks up information from Diana Penner Carlin.
The workshop, sponsored by the Emily Taylor Women's Resource Center, focused on what defines good leadership and on how women can be effective leaders. Eleven women attended the workshop.
Although many of the differences between male and female leadership are perceived differences, women are socialized so that these perceptions become reality, she said.
"The women leaders who are most effective are those who are flexible," she said. "It's good for women to retain feminine qualities and not just try to take on masculine qualities in leadership."
Mabel Rice, professor of speech-language-hearing, said women's leadership styles were influenced by socialization.
"Women listen more to other people's perspectives," she said. "This is probably true because women are acclimatated to be more nurturing and are inclined to be more caring."
Prentice Carlin said women leaders tended to be more encouraging and open with their feelings.
Women leaders need to strike a balance between traditionally female characteristics and menicteristities, Prentice Carlin said.
- "Women leaders who keep feminine qualities receive more training and effective results from their subordinates," *abbreviated*.
Cassandra Turner, executive board member of UJIMA, an African-American women's group, said
that stereotypes made some female leaders stronger.
"Because women are seen as the weaker sex, some women work even harder to prove they can be powerful leaders," she said. "Women's leadership is just as strong as male leadership."
New golf complex's financial impact questioned
Kansanstaffwriter
By Andy Taylor
A Lenexa resident's $2 million dream of building a public golf complex east of Lawrence would not financially threaten either Alvamar Country Club or Lawrence Country Club, officials at the courses said.
Lenea golf pro Jeff Gazaway, president of Twin Oak Golf Complex, Inc., is planning a golf development three miles east of Lawrence on Kansas Highway 10.
The complex, which is expected to open by spring of 1994, will include a public 18-hole golf course, a miniature golf range. The range already has opened.
"Only time will tell if he will make any impact," Bill Bobings, principal
owner of Alvamar Country Club. "But our market is not one that will be heavily impacted by his golf course."
Alvamar Country Club includes a public 18-hole course and a private 18-hole course at 1800 Crossgate Dive. Alvamar also operates the nine-hole, public Orchards Executive Golf Course at 3000 W. 15th St.
According to Billings, about half of Alvamar's private membership comes from outside Douglas County.
"I want it known that we will help him with fulfilling his dream," he said. "I look at Jeff Gazaway today and then look at where we were 25 years ago, and I would want Jeff to go the same way we had to go."
Billings said he supported Gazaway's efforts.
"Our membership is solid," he said. "And I don't think our members will leave. As a matter of fact, we just signed up 23 more lots next to the course for construction."
The Lawrence Golf Course Commission, a local group promoting a new city-operated course, does not oppose the Gazaway plan. But the city should not stop plans for developing its own course, commission members said.
Lyman Wiley, president of the Lawrence Country Club, 400 Country Club Terrace, said he thought the club's membership would remain the same.
David Berkowitz, a Lawrence attorney and member of the commission, said the community could benefit from two new public courses.
twopublic golf courses." Berkwitz said. "I don't necessarily buy the premise that there isn't room for 36 more holes of public golf in the greater Lawrence and Douglas County area. I suspect that there probably is."
"I don't think that it would hurt to have
Berkowitz also said the Lawrence City commission should continue plans for a commission.
Gazaway said twin Oak Golf Complex, named for two blackjack oak trees that sit next in the golf course, would not suffer during tough economic times.
"Research shows that golf is recession proof," he said. "Golf is the fastest growing spc in the world. And it's not just a rich person's sport. Even blue-collar people are playing. That's why there is a need for a public golf course in Lawrence."
Committees protest night parking changes
By Jay Williams
Kansan staff writer
Apetition topreservenighttime student parking behind Fraser Hall was approved by the Student Rights and University Affairs committees last night.
The petition, passed unanimously by both committees, objected to a decision made last week by University Council. The council recommended extending limited parking in lot 14 to vehicles with faculty or staff permits until 8:30 p.m. The lot is now restricted to 5:10 pm.
Jason McIntosh, co-author of the petition, said the council narrowly passed the motion at a meeting last week. The council's move was based on a recommendation by the parking services board.
"Students are not getting the services they are paying for," McIntosh said. "We need adequate access to the library and other university facilities."
If approved, the new restrictions would take effect next fall.
The council's decision was made at a November meeting of the parking services board, said Donna Hultline, assistant director of parking.
"Any way you look at it, students are getting the shaft," he said. "We already have a problem with parking. We don't need any more restrictions."
Robert Thompson, co-author of the petition, said that even if14 was more restricted, the petition could raise some awareness of parking problems.
"The change is because of com
"Students are
not getting the services they are paying for."
Jason McIntosh
The lot has 22 permit spaces.
plaints by faculty in the area at night," she said. "Many of them said they gave up having office hours at night."
In other action, the Student Rights Committee continued work on Student Senate discipline procedures.
McIntosh said he hoped a bill would be finished by the next committee meeting on Feb. 13.
"Hopefully, we will never have to deal with it, but we have to be prepared," he said.
This was the first committee meeting after a version of the procedures was given to University General Counsel for its suggestions, McIntosh said. The committee adopted the suggestions of counsel.
Work on the procedures began in September following Senate's vote to expel former student body president Darren Fulcher, he said.