In response to controversial conservative author David Horowitz and his weeklong campaign discussing the dangers of fascist Islamic governments, UW-Madison student organizations countered his arguments and informed community members Tuesday about important issues arising for Muslims in America.
The Muslim Students Association, College Democrats of Madison, Americans For Informed Democracy and People Opposing Prejudice hosted the panel discussion, Contemporary Muslims in America.""
Chuck Cohen, a UW-Madison sociology professor, said Islam is relatively new in the American society, with only about three to nine million Islamic persons living in the United States, yet it is the second largest religion represented.
He said because most Islamic people in the U.S. are immigrants, they are constantly forced to prove they belong in social and political ways.
Cohen said certain people like Horowitz believe people who practice the Islamic religion do not have America's best interest at heart.
Awais Khaleel, a UW-Madison senior and College Democrats of America vice president, gave his view on the term ""fascism,"" in opposition of Horowitz's Islamo-Facism Awareness Week.
He said the term is meaningless because every political group refers to each other as ""fascists.""
Khaleel said if the Democratic Party practiced these ""politics of hate and division and us versus them theories"" that he would immediately discontinue any involvement with them.
Reem Hilal, a PhD candidate at UW-Madison, countered Horowitz's argument that women are silent and have no choices, saying that Muslim women are actually very active and can choose what they want to do.
She said she wears a headscarf not because she is forced to, but on her own free will.
Panelists encouraged students to participate in activism on campus if they feel there is an issue that needs to be addressed.
Maha Hilal, a graduate student at UW-Madison, said each individual is capable of taking action, whether it produces major results or just raises awareness.
Uwaymir Anjum, a UW-Madison PhD candidate, agreed with Maha.
""Look for arguments and if you don't like them, then destroy them,"" Anjum said.
