Although the name Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf may not automatically ring a bell, there is no doubt you'll remember the Park51 project, more commonly known as the Cordoba House or the "Ground Zero Mosque" controversy. Rauf and his wife, Daisy Khan, are the couple heading this operation.
On Saturday, the UB Muslim Student Association (MSA) will welcome Rauf to the Center for Tomorrow at 6 p.m. He will be launching the new MSA magazine, "The Message," as well as discussing the "Cordoba House: A Peaceful Vision of Multi-faith Collaboration."
Although the Cordoba House, the planned 13-story community center and mosque located two blocks from Ground Zero, created quite a stir, Islam's presence in the area by Ground Zero is actually not a new development. In the late 19th century, a vast amount of Arab immigrants lived in the area where the Twin Towers would eventually stand. This portion of Lower Manhattan was known as "Little Syria," and as such, served as the roots of Islam in New York City.
Rauf and Khan are known as "peaceful Muslims." They openly condemn Al-Qaeda and those that follow its teachings.
Born in Kuwait, Rauf has written extensively on Islam and its place in today's world. He is currently the Imam of Masjid al-Farah, a New York City mosque. He hopes the Park51 mosque will not only reflect the diversity of New York City, but also heal Muslim-West relations within the next decade, fostering increased respect and decreased tension.
In 1997, he established the American Society for Muslim Advancement (ASMA), which is a not-for-profit organization meant to "counter extremism on both sides of the issue" and to "remember that freedom of religion applies to everyone, not just a select few," according to the ASMA's website.
The installation of MSA's new magazine and Rauf's lecture is open to the UB community. The Spectrum will be interviewing Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf on Friday, so please forward any questions you may have to michael.tyson@ubspectrum.com.
E-mail: features@ubspectrum.com
