Local ministers, university seek to educate locals on Islam

BY BRYCE KELLY

Mt. Pleasant News

It?s new territory for members of the Henry County Ministerial Association (HCMA), but some members say it?s worth doing for the sake of community.

Beginning on Monday, April 4, and continuing every Monday this month, a group of ministers within the HCMA have come together to host classes teaching members of the public about Islam with the help of Iowa Wesleyan University (IWU).

?This is something we have never done before through our ministerial association and through a partnership with Iowa Wesleyan,? said Regan Stoops, pastor of First Baptist Church, in Mt. Pleasant, and a member of the HCMA. ?...As Christians, we wanted to figure out how we could better understand Islam and our Muslim neighbors because as Christians, we believe Jesus calls us to love our neighbors, whoever they are.?

Not unlike Stoops, one Mt. Pleasant woman said she was just curious about Islam, which is why she decided to give the classes a try.

?I go to a Christian church here in town and I heard about the class, so I thought I would just come and check it out,? she said. ?I have some theories about Islam, but I am open to hearing the facts.?

Teaching the four-part series is IWU associate professor of religion, Joy Lapp. Throughout the series, participants will learn about the history of Islam, the diversity of Islam in the modern world, the various sacred texts of the religion, as well as some of Islam?s most important religious rituals. In addition, on April 25, there will be a question and answer session with Imam Hassan, a well-known Islamic scholar from Cedar Rapids.

?This class is a great place to ask questions and share any knowledge you may have about Islam,? said Lapp. ?We hope that you can all walk away with a better understanding Islam and those that practice the religion.?

According to historical records, Islam began sometime in the seventh century in the Arabian Peninsula, after the Christian church had spread throughout much of the world. The founder of the religion was a common Arab man named Muhammad ibn Abdullah, who was born in the year 570.

Islamic tradition holds that in the year 610, while Muhammad was spending time alone in a cave, he received a series of auditory prophecies from Allah (the Arabic word for God), which he was commanded to deliver to the Arab people.

To this day, Muhammad?s teachings, practices and habits are recorded in religious texts and studied as teachings from God by Muslims all around the globe. Islam is one of the most widely practiced religions today, with studies showing that roughly 20 to 25 percent of the world?s population practice Islam. The religion is second in worldwide popularity only to Christianity.

And it is the growing number of Muslims in the U.S. and around the world that made local pastor, Trey Hegar, feel compelled to participate in the classes. In addition, Hegar says the amount of information circulating about Islam in the news and social media has often led him to feel confused about what the religion actually teaches.

?Most of what I hear from friends and family about Islam is based on heresy and half-truths,? he said. ?So, now we have a chance to learn first-hand from reliable academic sources and experts, as well as asking Muslims in person about their beliefs and practices.?

Among the most asked questions during the first class of the series was whether or not Islam was a religion that preached violence, as well as how it differs from Christianity. Within important Islamic holy texts, mentions and commands of violence against those who do not accept Islam?s teachings are scattered throughout, as are verses on peacefulness.

And while Lapp was hesitant to expound upon questions of violence within Islam, she says ?most practitioners of Islam hold the faith as a very peaceful religion?, and that the religion ?is accepted as open to interpretation? by many of its followers. For a more in-depth discussion regarding violence and peace within the Islamic faith, Lapp encourages locals to attend the question and answer session with Imam Hassan.

In terms of its similarities with Christianity, Islam does recognize Biblical figures such as Moses, Noah, and even Jesus. However, these figures are thought to be simply prophets from God, like Muhammad himself.

Perhaps the biggest differences between the two faiths lie in their core beliefs, however. Unlike Christianity, Islam does not teach that Jesus was the holy, sufficient sacrifice for sin like it is taught in Christianity. The crucifixion of Christ is not taught within Islam, as well. In addition, Islam does not recognize the trinity of Christ, but rather, it holds to the belief that God is one being.

?I think this class will be a way to learn more about our neighbors and begin relationships,? says Hegar, upon the conclusion of the first class. ?I hope they (Muslims) will want to learn more about Christianity, too. My hope is that the peace of Christ is shown through our willingness to learn, and is shared, so that differences can be bridged, commonalities celebrated, and where we remain diverse, we will accept each other peacefully.?

All classes will be held every Monday night in April, at 6:30 p.m., at IWU?s Chadwick Library.