Webinar: Understanding Islam – An Interfaith Dialogue with Muslim Americans

FREE Webinar: Understanding Islam – An Interfaith Dialogue with Muslim Americans

Date:  Wednesday, March 3, 2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. EST

Webinar Description:

Do you wish to learn more about Islam? Have you wondered how to combat Islamophobia within the United States? Moderated by Dr. Selden Harris, UPSem alum and current professor at al Hujjah Islamic Seminary, this webinar will feature personal stories from Muslim Americans living in Dearborn, Michigan, sharing their unique perspectives and experiences. Dr. Harris will also provide an overview of the significant history of Islam in America in relation to the great American city of Dearborn, Michigan, also known as the most Muslim city in America.

History shows that American framer Thomas Jefferson became friends with three Ottoman Muslim diplomats who introduced him to a significant verse in the Qur’an:

“Let there be no compulsion in matters of RELIGION.”

(al Baqarah 256)

 Many Jefferson scholars believe this verse to be Jefferson’s inspiration for his concept of “Freedom of Religion.”

Join us in this upcoming FREE Webinar to learn more about the history of Islam in America and to hear first-person accounts from Muslim Americans living in Dearborn, Michigan. Interfaith dialogue and understanding is forged by building genuine relationships and learning from others. We invite you to come be a part.

Moderated by:  Dr. Selden Harris (pictured right)

Dr. Harris received an undergraduate degree from Hampden-Sydney College, Divinity degree from Union Theological Seminary in Virginia, Graduate degrees from the University of St Andrews, Scotland, and a Bachelor in Islamic Law from the Islamic Education Center in Potomac, MD.

He is an ordained Pastor in the Presbyterian Church (USA) and served churches in Texas and Virginia retiring in 2013 having served for 30 years. While serving churches, he also taught at Patrick Henry Community College in Martinsville, VA, and at Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary in Austin, TX.

Currently, he is a Professor at al Hujjah Islamic Seminary in Dearborn, Michigan. al Hujjah Islamic Seminary is unique in that the language of instruction is English.

Panelists:

Dr. Mary Assel (picture left)

Born in Dearborn, Michigan, Mary Assel holds a doctorate in higher education from Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan. She played a key role in establishing the English Language Institute at Henry Ford College (HFC) in the fall of 2001. She remained in her role as Director of the Institute until her retirement in 2012.

She is an author of three books. She also published and presented numerous articles on second language acquisition, Arab women and culture, religious barriers, interfaith, and Islamophobia. Her presentations have taken place at colleges, universities, religious organizations, and private establishments nationally and internationally.

Sayed Mohammad Baqer Qazwini (pictured right)

Sayed Mohammad Baqer Qazwini has a BA in Sociology from the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor. He studied for ten years in the Seminary of Qom, Iran. He is currently based at the Islamic Institute of America in Dearborn Heights, MI, and in 2017 he founded the Al-Hujjah Islamic Seminary.

Siham Awada Jaafar (pictured left)

As President & CEO of 3D Consulting and Communications, Siham Awada Jaafar conducts cultural competency and diversity training customized for corporations, law enforcement, government & healthcare agencies, educational institutions and various organizations.

Siham was appointed to the Judicial Tenure Commission for the state of Michigan in 2019 by the Governor and is serving a 3-year term. She feels honored and privileged to have been appointed to the commission and is grateful for the opportunity to serve the state in such a vital role.

A multi award winning public relations, diversity & inclusion specialist, Siham is a certified mediator and is currently the President of the Wayne County Dispute Resolution Center (WCDRC) and chairwoman of its advisory Board.

Siham was born and raised in Michigan and has called it home her entire life.

Additional panelists:

Imam Mohammad Ali Elahi

Yasmine Eastman

Cost:  FREE. No cost to register for this event, yet attendees must register.

Registration: Online registration is open. Click here to REGISTER. Registered attendees will receive a link to join the live webinar prior to the event.