A core mission of Religious Studies at the University of Arizona is to foster deeper understanding of the complex religious traditions in our community and around the world. Over the years, many of our students have visited the Islamic Center of Tucson (ICT) in order to learn more about the religion of Islam. The people of the ICT have graciously welcomed our students and faculty, sharing their time and space with generosity and kindness.
The ongoing vandalism experienced by our friends at the ICT must stop. In 2014, a petition objecting to this anti-Muslim activity near campus received over 450 signatures (and additional signatures are still welcome). Yet the harassment of our friends at the ICT has continued, and this now has received national attention with an article in the New York Times, University of Arizona Students Hurl Insults, and Litter, at Mosque in Tucson (February 16, 2016).
We encourage students and community members to engage in community and University events to learn more about the ICT and the religion of Islam. With 1.6 billion Muslims worldwide, Islam is the religion of many of our students, coworkers, neighbors, and friends.
The University of Arizona offers numerous courses through which students can learn about the diverse religion of Islam. There also are UA campus events and forums where the larger Tucson community can learn about this major world religion. For example, the UA Institute for the Study of Religion and Culture has been hosting an “Abrahamic Family Reunion” series, which is free and open to the public; the next installment of this series, focusing on Jewish, Christian, and Muslim perspectives on the Genesis story of Adam and Eve, will be held on April 27, 2016 at 4:00pm in the UA Poetry Center’s Rubel Room (1508 E Helen Street).
Photo Credit: Caitlin O'Hara for The New York Times