Forum in Michigan Takes Aim at Misconceptions about Muslims

 A forum has been held to break down barriers and spread understanding of Islam — that highlighted the Building Bridges: Getting To Know Our Muslim Neighbors event hosted Sunday by The Waterford Refugee Welcome Alliance, at the Christ Lutheran Church in Waterford, Michigan.  

 A forum has been held to break down barriers and spread understanding of Islam — that highlighted the Building Bridges: Getting To Know Our Muslim Neighbors event hosted Sunday by The Waterford Refugee Welcome Alliance, at the Christ Lutheran Church in Waterford, Michigan.  

Sameena Zahoor has been wearing a hijab since she was in college studying to be a doctor and she is aware that non-Muslims often have questions — and misconceptions — about the headscarf commonly worn by Muslim women in the US.

Zahoor, a family physician from Canton, US state of Michigan, said it is not much different than coverings donned by nuns or members of religions outside of Islam.

John Negele, a member of the Waterford Refugee Alliance and pastor of the Christ Lutheran Church, said the goal of the program was for attendees to leave “with some new learning and new insight, and maybe some new connection that they didn’t have before, that can continue to be built on.” 

“One of the first steps that is needed to build bridges — whether it’s between two people or two communities — is to get to know one another. And that’s what we are here to do today,” Negele said. 

The event began with members of the Islamic Networks Group explaining the history of Islam, the beliefs and practices of Muslims and common misconceptions many Americans may have about the religion and its followers.