Mustafa

Just heard a lecture from a Professor in Islamic Studies named Mustafa Abu Sway. His lecture was full of content, far too much to write down or for me to even begin to understand. However, what was good about his presentation was the reminder that our knowledge about Islam is so very reductionist, stereotyped, and informed by popular media. (just like how some people’s knowledge about Christianity is stereotyped and mis-informed by Media - i.e. how people think we Christians are all Right Wing American Conservatives).

When Abu Sway was watching TV on Sept 11, 2001, and I quote “when I was home, and watched it on TV, the second tower getting hit, and then I saw the first person jump and… I cried.” He was interviewed by a numerous media folks the next day, but not one of them carried his story. The media wasn’t looking for a Muslim scholar who cried.

He then spoke with passion about the 1 billion people in the world who don’t have water, who don’t have food, who are illiterate, and the responsibility of being not only human, but also a Muslim, to do something about it - serving God and others. It was a good reminder not to paint anyone or any ethnic group, religion, and ideology with a broad brush.