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What it means to be Muslim in the United States: American Imam speaks to audiences across Malaysia
Imam Mohamad Bashar Arafat, President of the Islamic Affairs Council of Maryland and founder and president of Civilizations Exchange and Cooperation Foundation, came to Malaysia in September 2008 to promote better understanding between Muslims and people of other faiths. During a recent visit to Malaysia as part of the U.S. Speakers Program of the US Department of State, Imam Arafat discussed Islam and what it means to be Muslim in America with audiences across the country, in Kuala Lumpur, Kedah, Perlis, Kelantan, Terengganu, and Sarawak.
Imam Arafat spoke about the United States being the “best place for Muslims to practice their faith.” Muslim Americans are, in his opinion, making significant contributions to U.S. society and economy, and in the near future will play a larger role in the governance of the United States.
“America is a unique place, where you will see all nationalities and traditions united by a set of values and laws. Even though you may hear some extreme voices discouraging that, this is not the norm. I feel that this type of integration, by keeping the "DNA" if I can say that, of the teachings of the Qu'ran and the sunnah of the Prophet, is going to produce a new model of a Muslim community in the West. This community is benefiting from every good aspect of the Western society and adding it to the true teachings of Islam, which is known as "Iqra'a - Read" and seek any kind of beneficial knowledge whether for this life or the hereafter.”
Dr. Mohamad Bashar Arafat was born and raised in Damascus, Syria. In January 2005, he began conducting programs on inter-religious dialogue, integration and "Islam in America" through the State Department’s International Speakers Program. In 1999, he was awarded a Ph.D. in philosophy and theology from Trinity College in Washington, D.C. He is the president of the Islamic Affairs Council of Maryland and also the founder and president of Civilizations Exchange and Cooperation Foundation, dedicated to bringing people together in an environment where dialogue and exchange can effectively support the creation of a better world that encourages peace, love and understanding.
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