The panel representing the Islam community were Dr. Muhammad Absar Karim Khan, Imam Abouelabbas Elsayed, and Lutfi Nassar, who acted as a translator. Dr. Benito Cordóva directed the forum.

Cordóva opened the forum explaining the purpose of bringing the community together. ³We are here to try to bring harmony and understanding between people who in the past have a different approach to life,² Cordóva explained. With the help of Nassar as translator, Elsayed explained what Islam is. ³Islam means submission to the will and obedience of God. Called Muslims because submitted to word of Allah. . .and do not defy him in any way. Any person who serves only one God and does not defy him in any way is a Muslim,² explained Elsayed.

Elsayed went on to describe the conditions of the Arab people before Islam. He described a people in turmoil and a nation that worshiped idols. According to Elsayed, the ³prophet Muhammad came and delivered the nation into light. He made brotherhood with people. He (Muhammad) taught to practice what is good for all humanity not just Arabs. Islam is a religion that calls for peace.² Elsayed relayed that Muslims did not carry weapons until after the migration from Mecca to Medina. Muslims were persecuted for their beliefs which caused the migration. Then Allah ordered Muslims to defend themselves. He also explained that the true meaning of the word Jihad is not holy war as the Western media reports. Jihad means to defend and protect.

³(Islam) is a religion of justice and truth. Islam (is a) religion of mercy (it) does not call for shedding blood. (But) if anyone attacks us we must defend ourselves,² explained Elsayed. He then ended his talk with a word of thanks for listening.

Next, Khan spoke about how Americans do not try to understand other cultures. He also explained how the Western media distorts the news. Khan also said, ³(We) need to get down to the bottom of U.S. foreign policy. (The) root of the problem is U.S. foreign policy, which is discriminatory.² Cordóva spoke about the Arab influence on the world today. ³If it wouldn¹t have been for the Muslims in 711 (who) brought literature of the ancient fathers of greek literature, Europe would still be in the dark ages today.²

The panel then opened for discussion. A question was asked concerning anti-American feelings and how those feelings would be affected since Bush was going after bin Laden. Khan answered, ³First of all, why would Bush want bin Laden? What was done in New York was wrong. Americans need proof about this. What does America want? Bush thinks this guy is (the) problem.² He went on to say that America should give the Taliban the evidence against bin Laden who will punish him if he (bin Laden) was responsible for the attacks Sept. 11.

Topics concerning the treatment of Muslim women were brought up. Elsayed took a moment to explain the role of Muslim women. ³If you go back to English law in 1885, the English law would support the selling of women. The old law had been abolished. In India, when husband dies the woman would be burned right along with husband. . . Islam made women equal to man. Islam protected women from many different things. Considers women a part of society. Veil ordered to protect her. (Man) has a right to protect his women. I would not want anyone to see my wife half naked. He is responsible for her in the eyes of the lord. Must put her in her right perspective. She has the right to go and work. The real working place for women is her house. Larger responsibility than the man. If the woman works where would the children go? How will they learn to love their parents.²

Other aspects of Islam were discussed and challenged. The last comment from the audience was made by Peter Handeland, a UNM-Gallup professor. He explained how he grew up in Berlin in a war-torn era. He described the time as hell and he commented, ³I feel for the children of Afghanistan.²