FRIDAY. APRIL 22, 2005 NEWS THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN 3A EVENT PREVIEW Week offers insight about Islam BY NATE KARLIN nkartlin@kansan.com KANSAN STAFF WRITER In his first year at the University of Kansas, a professor asked Jihad Alammar if his name meant "killing me," referring to the professor. Being his first year in Lawrence from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Alammar didn't know how, to react or respond. "It caught me off guard," he said. "I was not prepared." Jay byside estu- plays rums Jonathan on, Fort a., a., jun- id er en, Paola dance on Dance today after. The stu- were miming on ocean Beach which is sordered by asian Student Union. The word jihad does not mean holy war, which is a common misunderstanding. Rather, jihad is an Arabic word that means "struggle" or "working hard." But now three years later, the Saudi Arabian senior would not be caught speechless with a comment like that. Next week, students and Lawrence community members will get the opportunity to learn about the Muslim culture and the religion of Islam from Muslims students and guest sneakers. Beginning Tuesday, the Muslim Student Association ough the stu- office, 119 by during the ing holidays. brought through ence, KS 66045 will host several events for its Islam Awareness Week, April 25-29. This is the first year for the program, but Alammar, MSA vice president, said he hoped to make the awareness week annual. "We really think it's really important for everyone to know what Islam is about," Alammar said. Since Sept. 11, 2001, he said, the Islamic culture has been eyed with suspicion by many Americans. Although University students and Lawrence residents are generally open-minded about different cultures, Alammar said he hoped lectures and other teachings next week would help correct those misconceptions people still had about Muslims. Events for the week include an Islamic art exhibition, a lecture about Islam from the Judeo-Christian perspective and a firsthand perspective of a Muslim's day. tices and other events Muslim students experience, according to the association's Web site. The event, "A Day in the Life of a Muslim," will provide participants with personal experiences of Islamic prac- The event will pair non-Muslims with MSA members. The pair will attend events, which start as early as 5 a.m. with a non-prayer service. The day's other events include a free Middle Eastern lunch, a Friday prayer service at the Islamic Center of Lawrence, 1917 Naismith Dr., Alammar said. Maggie Van Buskirk, Leawood sophomore, said though she was unaware of the awareness week, she thought people should learn about the Muslim culture. "I'm Catholic and I think it's important for people understand where I'm coming from," she said. "So I think it's important to understand where Muslims come from." Van Buskirk said Friday's daylong event would be good because she thought it would be more interesting for people to experience Muslim traditions than to just hear about them in a lecture. — Edited by Jesse Truesdale Tuesday, April 26: April 25-29 Presented by the Muslim Student Association ISLAM AWARENESS WEEK April 25-29 - The Abrahamic Tradition: Building bridges of faith 7 p.m. Alderson Auditorium in the Kansas Union Wednesday, April 27; Wednesday, April 27: ➢ The story of Jesus and Mary as told in - The story of Jesus and Mary as told in the Quran 7 p.m. Islamic Center of Lawrence, 1917 Naismith Dr. Islamic art exhibition Islamic art exhibition 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Kansas Union, fourth floor lobby Thursday. April 28: + Introduction to Islam from the Judeo- Christian perspective Crowley Hall 6:30 p.m. Room 330 Strong Hall Islamic art exhibition 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Kansas Union, fourth floor lobby Friday, April 29: ♦ A day in the life of a Muslim Sign up to participate at MSA Web site: www.msaka.com Islamic art exhibition 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.Kansas Union,fourth floor lobby Source: www.msaku.com ON THE RECORD - A 45-year-old KU employee reported to the KU Public Safety Office damage to a 4-foot by 5-foot window between 3 a.m. April 15 and 5:45 p.m. April 17 in the 1000 block of Missouri Street. The building is operated by the KU Housing Department and the damage is estimated at $250. ON CAMPUS - Student Union Activities will sponsor a Kansas Relays Concert from 1 to 4 p.m. today and from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. tomorrow on the terrace outside the Hawks Nest at the Kansas Union. This event is free. Call 864-SHOW for more information. - The Department of Music and Dance will sponsor a performance by the University Dance Company at 7:30 tonight at the Lied Center, Call 864-4264 for more information. ♦ The 78th Annual Kansas Relays will take place from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. today and tomorrow at Memorial Stadium. The event is free with KUID. Tickets are $10 for non-students. Call 864-3486 for more information. ◆ The Spencer Museum of Art will show "The Films of the Brothers Quay" as part of its Surreal Film Series at 2 p.m. on Sunday. Call 864-4710 for more information. ♦ SUA will present the film "Meet the Fockers" at 7 and 9:30 tonight. Tickets are $2 or free with SUA Movie Card. Call 864-SHOW for more information. The African Students Association will sponsor an African Celebration, including dance performances and a fashion parade from 4:30 to 7 p.m. and a food sampling from 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday at Ecumenical Christian Ministries, 1204 Oread Ave. Call 840-4414 for more information. This 2004 photo provided by the Fort Riley public affairs office shows soldiers from the post firing a mortar from an M113 armored personnel carrier during a 2004 training exercise at Fort Riley, Kan. Two soldiers were killed and five others were injured Tuesday when a similar M113 rolled over during a training exercise at Fort Riley. The accident is under investigation. STATE Fort Riley Public Affairs Office April Blackmon/ASSOCIATED PRESS Training accident leaves two dead, five injured FORT RILEY — Fort Riley officials released the names of the soldiers who were killed in a training accident yesterday. One of the two Fort Riley soldiers killed in a training accident had served for a year in Iraq. Pfc. Philip M, Christensen, 21, of Salt Lake City, who enlisted in February 2003, served in Iraq from September 2003 until he returned to Fort Riley a year later. Spc. Wesley S. Gordon, 19, of Houghton, N.Y., enlisted in October 2004 and had been at Fort Riley since March. The soldiers were from Company A of the 1st Engineer Battalion of the 1st Brigade, 1st Infantry Division. Five other soldiers were injured in the accident Tuesday afternoon, said post spokeswoman Sam Robinson. The injuries weren't considered life-threatening. About 100 soldiers were involved in the training on the northeast section of the post. More than 4,300 Fort Riley soldiers are in Iraq and 48 have died in Iraq, including 10 from the 1st Engineer Battalion. The accident occurred as the soldiers were training in an M113 personnel carrier on the squad assault course. All seven soldiers injured or killed were inside. Robinson said the accident was under investigation. ACCREDITED MASTER'S PROGRAMS FOR KU GRADUATES! The Associated Press MSM Master of Science In Management Enroll NOW For Summer Starts. No GMAT or GRE Required! Broad-based, relevant curriculum offers advanced management human resource marketing, planning and business insights essential to the high-level achiever. 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