Students camp out to stop genocide
Students build refugee shelters, raise funds for Genocide Intervention Network
Vietfil Do, vice president of OU's STAND chapter, explains why students should donate to the Genocide Intervention Network.
Students built mock refugee shelters representing several areas of the world afflicted by genocide during the fourth annual Campout to Stampout Genocide on Tuesday, April 20. STAND, a student-led anti-genocide coalition, sponsored the event and invited several fraternities and sororities to hand out fliers and take donations. Beta Chi Theta, Delta Phi Omega, Phi Delta Alpha, Lambda Phi Epsilon, Delta Gamma, and Delta Delta Delta all built shelters and raised funds.
Students used cardboard boxes to build camps, spray-painting either Burma, Darfur, or Congo on their shelters. OU STAND chapter vice president Vietfil Do said students should donate to the Genocide Intervention Network even if they are discouraged by the continuance of highly publicized genocides. "If people in other places are continuing to donate and do those kinds of prevention, like civilian protection programs like the radio intervention network, it can save a life," Do said. "If it's your spare change, it doesn't hurt you and everyone wins."
Do said OU STAND is using 25 percent of the funds raised to put on future events, and giving the other 75 percent to the Genocide Intervention Network. She said the Genocide Intervention Network is using the money for a civilian protection programs in Burma and Darfur. STAND will announce next week how much money the event raised.
Friday, April 23, 2010
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Film festival exposes myths, promotes peace
Students use festival as opportunity to explain truth about diverse groups
The second annual "Peace Not Prejudice" film festival attracted about 300 students to the Molly Shi Boren Ballroom of the Oklahoma Memorial Ballroom Wednesday, April 14. The Muslim Student Association hosted the event, concluding the association's "Islam Awareness Month." The Muslim Student Association invited all campus organizations to participate. Eight organizations submitted a film, including Alpha Phi Alpha, Interfraternity Council and Panhellenic Association, American Indian Student Association, Delta Phi Omega, International Advisory Committee, Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender and Friends, Hillel Jewish Student Organization, and the Muslim Student Association.
"It was really a wonderful event," said Honors College Dean, David Ray. "I just hope it continues to get bigger and better." A panel of judges, including Ray, journalism professor, Kathryn Jenson White, and Honors College professor, Marcia Chatelain reviewed each film and awarded the top three. International Advisory Council received first place, viewer's choice award, and a $400 scholarship; Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender and Friends received second; and Alpha Phi Alpha received third.
"It is my prayer that beyond this place, we will still carry this notion, this motive, this philosophy that we need to promote peace," said Mimo Adenuaga, International Advisory Council president and mechanical engineering senior. "Let's end stereotypes, let's move toward peace."
Students use festival as opportunity to explain truth about diverse groups
The second annual "Peace Not Prejudice" film festival attracted about 300 students to the Molly Shi Boren Ballroom of the Oklahoma Memorial Ballroom Wednesday, April 14. The Muslim Student Association hosted the event, concluding the association's "Islam Awareness Month." The Muslim Student Association invited all campus organizations to participate. Eight organizations submitted a film, including Alpha Phi Alpha, Interfraternity Council and Panhellenic Association, American Indian Student Association, Delta Phi Omega, International Advisory Committee, Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender and Friends, Hillel Jewish Student Organization, and the Muslim Student Association.
"It was really a wonderful event," said Honors College Dean, David Ray. "I just hope it continues to get bigger and better." A panel of judges, including Ray, journalism professor, Kathryn Jenson White, and Honors College professor, Marcia Chatelain reviewed each film and awarded the top three. International Advisory Council received first place, viewer's choice award, and a $400 scholarship; Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender and Friends received second; and Alpha Phi Alpha received third.
"It is my prayer that beyond this place, we will still carry this notion, this motive, this philosophy that we need to promote peace," said Mimo Adenuaga, International Advisory Council president and mechanical engineering senior. "Let's end stereotypes, let's move toward peace."
Friday, April 9, 2010
Events Educate Students About Islam
Islam Awareness Month promotes understanding, interfaith dialogue
The Muslim Student Association is hosting a series of events this month to educate students about Islam.
Islam Awareness Month began with a public prayer in the South Oval on March 26 and will end with the Peace Not Prejudice student film festival April 14 in the Oklahoma Memorial Ballroom.
Peace Not Prejudice is a student film festival, hosted by the Muslim Students Association, featuring short films from diverse advocacy groups on campus, ranging from the Gay Lesbian Bisexual Transgender and Friends Students Association to Delta Phi Omega.
Events in March and April included the Taste of Islam cultural food fair, a discussion about science in the Qur'an, and a panel on the state of Islam in America.
Richard Wierengo, political science and geography senior, said he attended all the past events and plans to attend the film festival.
"It’s interesting to learn [about Islam], because where I come from, there aren’t many Muslims," Wierengo said.
He said the Islam in America discussion panel taught him that Islam's impact on the U.S. reaches back to the earliest days of the nation.
"Our first ally was Morocco, an Islamic state," Wierengo said. "Also, there is some evidence that shows system of English Common Law, which we use in the U.S. comes from a form of Islamic jurisprudence in Northern Africa."
Sarah Sullivan, Muslim Student Association secretary, said the reactions to the events has been mostly positive.
"We try to selectively choose the topics that will attract the most attention for each event, and there has been a lot of good discussion," said Sullivan, dental hygiene junior.
Sullivan said understanding is reached between Muslims and non-Muslims when both parties take steps to understand the other.
"It takes two to tango, so it takes non-Muslims to come and ask us questions about what concerns them," she said. "And we have to reach out to non-Muslims, because we understand the stereotypes that come along."
Islam Awareness Month promotes understanding, interfaith dialogue
The Muslim Student Association is hosting a series of events this month to educate students about Islam.
Islam Awareness Month began with a public prayer in the South Oval on March 26 and will end with the Peace Not Prejudice student film festival April 14 in the Oklahoma Memorial Ballroom.
Peace Not Prejudice is a student film festival, hosted by the Muslim Students Association, featuring short films from diverse advocacy groups on campus, ranging from the Gay Lesbian Bisexual Transgender and Friends Students Association to Delta Phi Omega.
Events in March and April included the Taste of Islam cultural food fair, a discussion about science in the Qur'an, and a panel on the state of Islam in America.
Richard Wierengo, political science and geography senior, said he attended all the past events and plans to attend the film festival.
"It’s interesting to learn [about Islam], because where I come from, there aren’t many Muslims," Wierengo said.
He said the Islam in America discussion panel taught him that Islam's impact on the U.S. reaches back to the earliest days of the nation.
"Our first ally was Morocco, an Islamic state," Wierengo said. "Also, there is some evidence that shows system of English Common Law, which we use in the U.S. comes from a form of Islamic jurisprudence in Northern Africa."
Sarah Sullivan, Muslim Student Association secretary, said the reactions to the events has been mostly positive.
"We try to selectively choose the topics that will attract the most attention for each event, and there has been a lot of good discussion," said Sullivan, dental hygiene junior.
Sullivan said understanding is reached between Muslims and non-Muslims when both parties take steps to understand the other.
"It takes two to tango, so it takes non-Muslims to come and ask us questions about what concerns them," she said. "And we have to reach out to non-Muslims, because we understand the stereotypes that come along."
Friday, April 2, 2010
Expert Asks, "Can U.S. Avoid War With Iran?"
Middle East expert talks about prospects of war with Iran
The U.S. could avoid war with Iran once U.S. leaders realize Iran is not aggressive state and does not support terrorism, a Middle East expert told students Monday, March 29, in the Robert S. Kerr Auditorium of the Sam Noble Museum of Natural History.
Juan Cole, author of the popular blog on Middle East issues, “Informed Comment,” and professor of history at the University of Michigan, gave a lecture titled “Can the U.S. Avoid War with Iran?” and signed copies of his book, "Engaging the Muslim World."
Cole said he doesn’t think a U.S. war with Iran is an “immediate possibility, but in the world system we now have, Iran is viewed by NATO as the most troublesome.”
Cole said despite politicians’ frequent rhetoric about Iran’s nuclear weapons program, there is no evidence that Iran is building a bomb. He said if Iran did obtain a bomb, attacking Israel or the U.S. would not be in Iran’s best interest.
“If they got a bomb, deterrents would work, and the price of an alternative [U.S.] policy, which would probably be a land invasion, and a major war could be so destructive to the world that it’s not the preferable course,” Cole said. “But, you know, I could be overruled in 2012 by Sarah Palin.”
Co-director of OU’s Center for Middle East Studies, Joshua Landis, said Cole has had a great influence on his own interest in the region.
“In many ways [Cole’s] blog changed my life, because it inspired me to start blogging myself,” said Landis, associate professor of Middle East studies. “He is the most successful blogger on the Middle East. It is no exaggeration to say that he has educated an entire generation of Americans about Iraq.”
Landis said major news networks often seek Cole’s expertise and the CIA, the Defense Department, and the State Department constantly consult him for information on Iraq and Iran.
The Center for Middle East Studies sponsored the lecture. The center will bring in freelance journalist and reporter for Toronto's Globe and Mail, Orly Halpern, for the next contemporary Middle East issues lecture on April 5 in Ellison Hall.
Middle East expert talks about prospects of war with Iran
The U.S. could avoid war with Iran once U.S. leaders realize Iran is not aggressive state and does not support terrorism, a Middle East expert told students Monday, March 29, in the Robert S. Kerr Auditorium of the Sam Noble Museum of Natural History.
Juan Cole, author of the popular blog on Middle East issues, “Informed Comment,” and professor of history at the University of Michigan, gave a lecture titled “Can the U.S. Avoid War with Iran?” and signed copies of his book, "Engaging the Muslim World."
Cole said he doesn’t think a U.S. war with Iran is an “immediate possibility, but in the world system we now have, Iran is viewed by NATO as the most troublesome.”
Cole said despite politicians’ frequent rhetoric about Iran’s nuclear weapons program, there is no evidence that Iran is building a bomb. He said if Iran did obtain a bomb, attacking Israel or the U.S. would not be in Iran’s best interest.
“If they got a bomb, deterrents would work, and the price of an alternative [U.S.] policy, which would probably be a land invasion, and a major war could be so destructive to the world that it’s not the preferable course,” Cole said. “But, you know, I could be overruled in 2012 by Sarah Palin.”
Co-director of OU’s Center for Middle East Studies, Joshua Landis, said Cole has had a great influence on his own interest in the region.
“In many ways [Cole’s] blog changed my life, because it inspired me to start blogging myself,” said Landis, associate professor of Middle East studies. “He is the most successful blogger on the Middle East. It is no exaggeration to say that he has educated an entire generation of Americans about Iraq.”
Landis said major news networks often seek Cole’s expertise and the CIA, the Defense Department, and the State Department constantly consult him for information on Iraq and Iran.
The Center for Middle East Studies sponsored the lecture. The center will bring in freelance journalist and reporter for Toronto's Globe and Mail, Orly Halpern, for the next contemporary Middle East issues lecture on April 5 in Ellison Hall.
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