By: Casha Caponegro
Last month’s terrorist attacks and the current war the United States is fighting in Afghanistan have tainted the view of Islam in the eyes of many Americans.
Since Sept. 11 there have been numerous acts of discrimination and violence against Muslim-Americans, many of whom have lived in this country their entire lives.
The Cranbury Community Education program hopes to educate the public about this multifaceted religion and dispel some of the prejudices people may harbor toward Islam.
On Sunday, Cranbury Community Education will present a discussion titled "What is Islam?" at 3 p.m. at the Town Hall meeting room. The talk will be led by Abdel-Rehim-Riad, a founding member and president of the Islamic Society of Central New Jersey in South Brunswick.
"The best thing right now is to understand the other party," said Mr. Riad. "This will be a good base for common understanding."
Mr. Riad, who has spoken to numerous communities throughout New Jersey in the past month, said this seminar will promote a greater understanding about Islam.
"If you sit down and drive a car without knowing anything about it you will have trouble," said Mr. Riad, comparing this automotive ignorance to the way in which many Americans view Islam. "But if you sit down, read the manual and educate yourself, then you won’t be putting yourself and others in danger."
The topics Mr. Riad will cover on Sunday include what Islam is, its principles and its relationship with Christianity.
Most importantly, he will stress the difference between Islam and the terrorists who crashed planes into the World Trade Center and Pentagon last month, killing thousands in the process.
"This is a cult hiding behind religion," said Mr. Riad, comparing them to Christian fundamentalists.
"When I created this discussion, I was responding from my own personal fears and prejudices," said Sue Leson, co-director of Cranbury Community Education. "By getting Mr. Riad to talk we will expand our own understanding of this religion."

