University Daily Kansan / Thursday, April 5, 1990
9
Maintaining Muslim identity is tough in U.S., speaker says
By Curtis Knapp Kansen staff writer
To be Muslim in the United States is not easy, a speaker at University Forum said yesterday.
Jane Smith,
vice president
and dean of
academic affairs
at the Iliiff School
of Theology in
Denver, spoke
about
Muslims and
hence to make
in the United States
'One of the biggest problems for Muslims is the matter of maintaining their Islamic identity, their sense of who they are as Muslims, at the same time that they want to be part of American society.'
Most Muslims do not eat pork or drink alcohol. They must decide what to do when put in a situation where pork or alcohol is involved. Most Muslims also do not believe in paying
the United States. She addressed
Jane Smith
Official at Illiff School of Theology in Denver
She addressed about 69 people at Ecumenical Christian Ministries, 1204 Oread Ave.
"One of the biggest problems for Muslims is the matter of maintaining their Islamic identity, their sense of who they are as Muslims, at the same time that they want to be part of American society," Smith said.
Smith, who served on the Committee on Christian/Muslim Relations for the National Council of Churches, said that through conversations with Muslims, she learned the difficulties they faced adapting to U.S. society and maintaining their identity, especially as children.
interest on money, making dealing with banks difficult.
Muslim women who wear veils face pressures to dress like everyone else.
"All of these are issues, and they really are important issues, particularly for Muslim women who are professionally active and wish to affirm their identity at the same time that they are interacting in public ways," Smith said. "And I think that this society has to come to terms with those issues and to be much more open than we have been thus far."
Smith said Christian holidays such
as Easter and Christmas left some Muslims feeling isolated.
Relationships between men and women also are different in Muslim society. Women are separated from men in mosques and usually defer to men.
Baha Safadi, a Muslim and Lawrence resident who attended the speech, said adjusting to U.S. society had been difficult. When he first came to the United States, he had trouble maintaining his customs and practices, such as praying at certain times each day. While working, the situation did not always allow him to pray at the designated times. He would have to pray when he got home.
Now he owns his own construction company and can pray at the designation of languages and literatures.
He said the adjustment for Muslims could be made easier by understanding, tolerance and knowledge from U.S. citizens.
"It's a way of life to us," Safadi said. "We are a part of the community now."
He said most Muslim people would enjoy explaining their religion to people who did not understand their actions.
First undergraduate set to finish comparative literature program
By Carol B. Shiney Kansan staff writer
When Keith Vincent, Tulsa, Okla., senior, graduates this spring, he will be the first KU professor in a department degree in comparative literature.
"I're exciting that we have it here at KU at the undergraduate level." Vincent said.
The Board of Regents approved the undergraduate major in comparative literature in 1988. Vincent Kirk, a student majoring in the program,
Vincent said the program dealt with literary theory in an intense way. It also encourages a combination of languages and literatures.
He said that many schools did not have the program at the undergraduate level but that the program was popular at the graduate level.
"I definitely recommend it to anyone who's interested in languages and literature," he said.
The course curriculum includes three humanities and comparative literature classes; four literature classes numbered 300 or above in one foreign language and literature; and two literature classes numbered 300 above in a second language and literature department.
Seniors in the program are required to write a paper about comparative literature in which literary theory is applied.
Cheryl Lester, assistant professor of English, said the program emphasized cultural diversity and taught critical thinking.
"The subject involves the study of the writing of different languages, cultures and periods in their interrelations," she said.
Lester teaches H&CL 390, the interpretation of literature, and is a member of the comparative literature committee.
Elizabeth Schultz, chairman of the comparative literature program, said the object of comparative literature was to study literature as a whole.
The program offers undergraduates the opportunity to think in an interdisciplinary manner, she said.
Schultz said a student majoring in comparative literature or humanities could go into a range of fields.
2 liter btl. of
Coke, Diet Coke,
Caffeine Free Classic
Coke, Sprite or
Diet Sprite
When you rent
2 reg. videos at
98¢ each or 1 new
release at $1⁹⁸
Offer good April
5, 6 and 7th.
Limit 3 please!
Sante Fe Tortilla Chips Regular or Lightly Salted
$139
14 oz. bag
supermarket price
$1.99
you save 50¢
24pk.-12oz.
supermarket price
$898
you save $100
$798
Busch
OUR LARGE BUYING POWER ALLOWS US TO PASS ON EXTRA LOW PRICES TO YOU!
Natural Fiber Clothing & Body Care
820-822 Mass. St., Lawrence, Kansas 66044
(913) 841-0100
- Some Short Term Leases Available
* 1 Bedroom $345
    2 Bedroom 2 Bath $410
- 3 Hot Tubs
- Indoor Heated Pool
- Volleyball &
- Basketball Courts
- On Bus Route
- Near Restaurants, Grocery, Etc.
1301 W.24th (24th & Naismith) Lawrence, KS 842-5111
*Limited Time Only/One Rebate Per Lease.
SPIRIT SQUAD TRYOUTS
CHEERLEADING
Clinics: April 9,10,11 Tryouts: April 12 6:30-9:30 p.m. Anschutz
CRIMSON GIRLS
Clinics: April 16, 17, 18 Callbacks & Tryouts April 19 & 20, 6:00-9:00 p.m. Allen Fieldhouse
MASCOT
Clinics: April 9,10 Tryouts: April 11 Anschutz
The University of Kansas
$39.00
TILL THE END OF
THE SEMESTER
- Certified instructors IDEA/Rhythmic Aerobics/CPR - 76 classes weekly-Low/Low/High/High Toning, Circuit Training and Bodysculpting * Stair masters * Bicycles * Whirlpool * Gerstung aerobic floor * Body Composition analysis * Tanning * Sauna * Open 7 days a week. * Exclusively for Women.
3320 Mesa Way 843-4040 FIRST VISIT FREE Membership Expires 5-31-90
A Forum Concerning Non-Traditional Students
International Room Kansas Union Thursday, April 5 7:30 pm Sponsored by Celebrate Diversity
Who are they?
Can they be trusted?
What is it like to be one?
Are they really smarter than everyone else?
SAVE 40% and get up to $900 CASH BACK*
Powerful 12 Min $0286, 30MB Hard Drive
High Resolution VGA Color Monitor
18 Month Warranty, Mouse, Microsoft Work
HYUNDAI Practical Compatibles.
Fan 16 Mix 809x40m, 40MB Hard Drive High Resolution VGA Color Monitor 18 Month Warranty, Microsoft Windows
STUDENTS, FACULTY & STAFF ONLY
Offer ends 31st May '90
Connecting Point. 333 COMPUTER CENTER
843-7584 804 New Hampshire
Open Mon-Fri: 10am-Sat: 10-4
* assigned to IBM's DataWizard IBM is a member of IBM Corp.