Community Workshop on Truths and Myths About Islam Set for May

The U.S. Attorney’s Office, the FBI, and the Huntsville Islamic Center will present a workshop on May 17 at the University of Alabama in Huntsville to help the community learn more about its Islamic members.

Community members from all faiths and backgrounds are invited to attend the workshop, titled, “Combating Islamophobia: Truths and Myths about Islam.”

“The United States is a nation built on principles of religious tolerance and inclusion. Knowledge about the culture and religion of others can enhance those principles,” said U.S. Attorney Joyce White Vance. “Americans come from a wide diversity of backgrounds and religions. The more we work to understand one another, the easier it is to bridge misunderstandings, build partnerships, and create more secure communities for all Americans,” Vance said.

The May 17 workshop will include the presentation “What is Islam and Who are American Muslims?” by Lobna “Luby” Ismail, executive director of Connecting Cultures Inc. Ismail is a training specialist with more than 15 years of experience in the areas of cross-cultural communication, cultural competency, Arab and American cultures, Islamic awareness, and religious diversity. She is the author of “Doing Business in the Middle East and North Africa” and “Finding Diversity.” She frequently is used as an expert by national media and major international news programs.

The Huntsville Islamic Center will present a panel discussion during the workshop and answer questions from the audience.

The event will be free and open to the public. It will be held at UAH from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the Shelby Science Center, 301 Sparkman Drive, Room 107.

The U.S. Department of Justice Community Relations Service, UAH Muslim Student Association, Birmingham Islamic Society, Interfaith Mission Service, UAH Office of International Programs and Services, and the International Services Council of Alabama are helping the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the FBI, and the Huntsville Islamic Center present the workshop.

For more information, contact Lyndon Laster at the U.S. Attorney’s Office, 205-244-2001 or lyndon.laster@usdoj.gov.