Omar Abdel-Baqui, Detroit Free Press
Sameena Zahoor has been wearing a hijab since she was in college studying to be a doctor and she is aware that non-Muslims often have questions — and misconceptions — about the headscarf commonly worn by Muslim women.
Zahoor, a family physician from Canton, said it is not much different than coverings donned by nuns or members of religions outside of Islam.
“Yes, my experience being a Muslim woman has a lot to do with me wearing a headscarf,” Zahoor said. “No, I don’t think I’m a better Muslim because I cover — versus a person who does not cover. Yes, I do have hair underneath (my hijab). No, I don’t wear it when I go home, sleep in it or shower in it. Yes, it makes me feel hot and sweaty when I wear it in the summer. No, I was not forced to wear it and no I am not oppressed.”
It was that kind of open discussion — intended to break down barriers and spread understanding of Islam — that highlighted the Building Bridges: Getting To Know Our Muslim Neighbors event hosted Sunday by The Waterford Refugee Welcome Alliance and held at the Christ Lutheran Church in Waterford.
John Negele, a member of the Waterford Refugee Alliance and pastor of the Christ Lutheran Church, said the goal of the program was for attendees to leave “with some new learning and new insight, and maybe some new connection that they didn’t have before, that can continue to be built on.”
“One of the first steps that is needed to build bridges — whether it’s between two people or two communities — is to get to know one another. And that’s what we are here to do today,” Negele said.
The event began with members of the Islamic Networks Group explaining the history of Islam, the beliefs and practices of Muslims and common misconceptions many Americans may have about the religion and its followers.
Islamic Networks Group speaker Amin Varis vocalized that Islam is an Abrahamic faith — similarly to Judaism and Christianity. He explained some of Islam’s fundamental principles such as the belief in one God, fasting, praying, donating and hajj — the pilgrimage to Mecca.
Zahoor, who is also an Islamic Networks Group speaker, said the nonprofit’s purpose is to “dispel myths and misunderstandings of Islam, and to get people to understand that the struggle of Muslims is not much different than the struggles of other minority groups.”
“Being able to allow others to ask questions can open conversation that may change people’s hearts,” she added. “We are not much different. Our ideas, our goals and what we want for each other is very similar to those of (non-Muslims). We are all on the same team.”
Mayar Zamzam, a junior at the International Academy Bloomfield Hills and a youth member of the Islamic Networks Group, said she has encountered people who have directed slurs at her, without even knowing her.
“I was completely in shock,” she said about a specific instance in which she was called a terrorist by a stranger. “I don’t understand why he would call me that. I thought to myself, ‘is this really how other people view Muslims?’”
Zamzam said she loves when people ask her questions about Islam and said she feels excited telling people about her religion.
She added that many people don’t understand why some Muslim women wear a headscarf.
“I wear the hijab because my religion provides me the opportunity to be modest about my looks and outspoken about my personality,” she said.
Zamzam said although she has encountered several acts of hate earlier in her life, she can see them slowly turning into questions, as people seek to educate themselves.
Zahoor said media plays a significant role in the negative perception of Muslims in the U.S.
“What people see on TV is what they believe,” she said. “When I tell people from California I’m from Detroit, they say ‘What? That’s the murder capital of the world!’ It’s important to look beyond a TV screen for information.”
In addition to speeches, there were presentations of art and comedy, a question and answer session, and lunch for the attendees and event organizers — where the conversation continued.
Waterford resident Al Kuehm, 70, said the event was a great opportunity to learn and expand his knowledge of the religion.
“There are a lot of misconceptions of Islam and we need to address them. We need to get smart,” Kuehm said. “ I wish we had something like this every month.”
Negele, the pastor, said Mahatma Gandhi was once quoted saying “The only problem with Christianity is Christians” after visiting a church.
“Maybe Islam is the same way,” Negele said.
