The International OfficeNews
Islamic Awareness Days
By Zeeshan Quadar
The first week of March 2008 saw the biggest ever event held by the Bath University Islamic Society. The theme was titled ‘To Know Each Other’. It started off with a formal opening with guests including the Mayor of Bath Mrs Sharon Ball, the University Pro-Vice Chancellor (Learning and Teaching) Professor Ian Jamieson, and the guest speaker Fadel Soliman of the Bridges Foundation, an organisation that aims to build bridges between people from different religious and ethnic backgrounds through educational interfaith activities, presentations, and discussions.
There were two exhibitions, one was on the whole week in the University Hall foyer, while the other on Monday 3rd March and Friday 7th March in the Claverton rooms with colourful posters which featured various aspects of Islam including its historic, scientific and social aspects, beautiful Arabic name calligraphy, a stall of sweets from various Islamic countries, and free literature on the Islamic culture that was available to everyone.
The week also featured a number of talks and discussions about Islam and several important issues, aiming at building bridges of mutual understanding. There were also evening video sessions during the week. One of the most gratifying features was multi-faith dialogue of the panel of five which started with a brief introduction followed by questions and answers.
The event was marked-off by a ‘Mosque Open Day’ at the city centre mosque at Peirrepoint Street, Bath.