2008 Woodie Awards
RSSIslamic program upsets some local residents
By Elaine Hardenstine
Issue date: 11/6/07 Section: News
Lehigh's Center for Global Islamic Studies, which is scheduled to debut next fall, is facing some negative responses from local residents.
An article on the Islamic center published Oct. 15 in The Morning Call elicited a fierce response from the local community.
Readers posted comments about the article on the newspaper's Web site. Some accused Lehigh of supporting terrorism. One reader pleaded that Lehigh stop the program.
"Don't just stand by and let it happen … do something about it!" the reader wrote. "America was built by men and women of great courage and tenacity … respect their memories."
Other readers expressed the belief that Muslims do not respect Americans, so Americans should not respect their culture.
Many Lehigh professors said they were not surprised by these reactions.
History Professor Gail Cooper said the comments show anger and opposition towards the culture because of current events.
"People don't know to look beyond," Cooper said. "They have no history."
Political science department Chair Richard Matthews said the comments are understandable, and the readers' thoughts demonstrate the need for the program even more.
"Their opinions are born out of fear and ignorance, and that is a dangerous combination," Matthews said.
Graduate student Adam Bentz said he understands why some people oppose the Islamic center. It may be viewed as propaganda during a time of war, so issues must be explored from several points of view in order to achieve balance.
"Some people may see it as surrendering to that culture," Bentz said. "Therefore, the program needs to look at Islamic culture from multiple angles in order to amend concerns."
Not all residents are upset about the new program.
Sam Smith, a 22-year-old Bethlehem resident and auto body technician, said different cultures have been the victims of prejudice and hate throughout time. If the program helps another group of people feel comfortable in America, then it is a positive step for Lehigh, he said.
"That's supposed to be the beautiful thing about America - learning and accepting others," Smith said. "It's a good thing."
Sin Soto, a Bethlehem resident for 33 years and owner of a local barbershop, said the program could help both Lehigh and the entire community.
Soto said he wishes he was not so ignorant of foreign cultures, and it is good that younger generations are learning about other cultures.
"Maybe if they would have taught us, we would know better and we could better relate to the problems now," Soto said.
Many students think the Islamic program will bring variety to campus.
"Lehigh has been branching out as far as diversity, so this program will help," Ashley Kamauf, '10, said.
Anne Whitebread, '10, said most students are cut off from global events, and a new program would help widen the university's scope.
"We're pretty isolated and not as cultured as possible," Whitebread said.
An article on the Islamic center published Oct. 15 in The Morning Call elicited a fierce response from the local community.
Readers posted comments about the article on the newspaper's Web site. Some accused Lehigh of supporting terrorism. One reader pleaded that Lehigh stop the program.
"Don't just stand by and let it happen … do something about it!" the reader wrote. "America was built by men and women of great courage and tenacity … respect their memories."
Other readers expressed the belief that Muslims do not respect Americans, so Americans should not respect their culture.
Many Lehigh professors said they were not surprised by these reactions.
History Professor Gail Cooper said the comments show anger and opposition towards the culture because of current events.
"People don't know to look beyond," Cooper said. "They have no history."
Political science department Chair Richard Matthews said the comments are understandable, and the readers' thoughts demonstrate the need for the program even more.
"Their opinions are born out of fear and ignorance, and that is a dangerous combination," Matthews said.
Graduate student Adam Bentz said he understands why some people oppose the Islamic center. It may be viewed as propaganda during a time of war, so issues must be explored from several points of view in order to achieve balance.
"Some people may see it as surrendering to that culture," Bentz said. "Therefore, the program needs to look at Islamic culture from multiple angles in order to amend concerns."
Not all residents are upset about the new program.
Sam Smith, a 22-year-old Bethlehem resident and auto body technician, said different cultures have been the victims of prejudice and hate throughout time. If the program helps another group of people feel comfortable in America, then it is a positive step for Lehigh, he said.
"That's supposed to be the beautiful thing about America - learning and accepting others," Smith said. "It's a good thing."
Sin Soto, a Bethlehem resident for 33 years and owner of a local barbershop, said the program could help both Lehigh and the entire community.
Soto said he wishes he was not so ignorant of foreign cultures, and it is good that younger generations are learning about other cultures.
"Maybe if they would have taught us, we would know better and we could better relate to the problems now," Soto said.
Many students think the Islamic program will bring variety to campus.
"Lehigh has been branching out as far as diversity, so this program will help," Ashley Kamauf, '10, said.
Anne Whitebread, '10, said most students are cut off from global events, and a new program would help widen the university's scope.
"We're pretty isolated and not as cultured as possible," Whitebread said.
