Islamic Library Exhibit Outshines National Rancor
PrintThe Midwest City (Okla.) Library and a Muslim pre-K–10 school in this Oklahoma City–area community have collaborated on an exhibit in the library’s lobby of student paintings that interpret the Islamic tradition of the 99 Muslim names of God. Debuting August 15, the exhibit created by the Muslim Mercy School is scheduled to run through September 12.
Unremarkable in itself as an example of how libraries celebrate their communities’ diverse populations every day, the show eloquently counters through the peaceful reception it received from Oklahoma library visitors the bitter national debate about a proposed Islamic community center several blocks from Ground Zero in New York City. Art teacher Tehmina Cheema, who created the school assignment that resulted in the display, said in the September 1 Oklahoma City Oklahoman that library patrons have expressed appreciation for the English-language explanations of the Arabic calligraphy and Islamic symbolism in the artwork, noting that one visitor remarked, “It enlightens us more about Islam.”
Noting that the library’s mission is “providing information and knowledge of other cultures and traditions,” Midwest City Library Director Linda Temple told the Oklahoman that there have been “lots of positive reactions” to the display.
The Midwest City Library exhibit is scheduled to remain open a day longer than an anti-Muslim Qur’an-burning slated to take place September 11 on the grounds of the Dove World Outreach Center in Gainesville, Florida. The book burning is being promoted by the congregation’s pastor, and the American Library Association is planning a read-in of the Qur’an that same day to protest the action.
American Libraries, Wed, 09/08/2010 - 11:06
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Comments
Also to Fay
Most people already do - it’s called church, where many already attend. However, few mainstream Americans are familiar with a mosque or temple where they may go to see representations of the other faiths.
And instead of saying "What about X religion!" why don’t we rejoice in the diversity and uniqueness of another religion. Knowledge is power, and understanding each other is a task worth undertaking.
To "Just Wondering" :
I would think that since most Americans, and probably most Oklahomans, identify as Christian that the response to a "Jesus centered" exhibit would be overwhelmingly enthusiastic. Wouldn’t Christians come out for such an exhibit? So what’s your point? Don’t other minority religions merit an exhibition?
Religious demographics in OK
Fay, you raise a good point. I think there probably would not be such an enthusiastic response to a Christian-centered exhibit about Jesus, because Christianity is so dominant in Oklahoma. According to the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life. However, 72% of the population identify with Protestant faiths, and those of the Catholic faith make up another 12%. So in a state where 84% of the population could be classified as Christian, would a Christian exhibit be considered remarkable enough to pique interest?
Less than 1% of the Oklahoma population identifies with the Muslim faith. An exhibit about a faith in the minority could be likely to generate more interest, due to unfamiliarity. I like to think part of the reason people go into libraries is to gain new information, whether it’s in the form of reading a new story or seeing an exhibit representing an activity, population, or history they know little about.
Just wondering… would there
Just wondering… would there be such an enthusiastic response if this were a Christian centered exhibit about Jesus and all His theology?
just wondering...
do you mean extremist "jesus centered" like making a big ole bonfire out of the quran or stabbing a cab driver in the neck for being muslim? or just regular "jesus centered" like being offended when someone has different views from the bourgeois mainstream?
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