Muslim women discuss their faith and roles in society

A panel of Muslim women from all different walks of life – including students from CCBC Catonsville – discussed the topic “Women’s Changing Roles in Islamic Cultures” during a film presentation and panel discussion at CCBC Catonsville with a roomful of students, faculty and staff.

Co-sponsored by the Muslim Student Association, the October forum started with the film My Journey, My Islam. The film takes an intriguing look at Muslim women and deals with how Muslim women reconcile and interpret the requirements of their faith with the obligations of western culture. Each panel participant shared her own views on the role of the women in the film.

Following the film, Jean Waagbo, coordinator of International Student Life, moderated a discussion with the Islamic Women’s Panel. Topics ranged from each woman's decision to wear or not to wear the hijab (head scarf) to a lively discussion from the audience on the fundamentals of the Muslim faith. This film presentation was part of a series of events and activities that are part of the “Illuminating Islam Program.”

The United States Department of State, through a grant from the Cooperative Grants program of the National Association for Foreign Student Affairs: Associations of International Educators, recently awarded a grant to the offices of International Education and Multicultural Affairs to increase intercultural awareness at CCBC Catonsville.

The grant funds are being used to support a variety of co-curricular events and activities held on campus and in the local community. The project will increase local understanding of Islamic cultures in Africa, the Middle East, Asia, Europe and the United States, illustrating that there are many varieties of Islamic cultures throughout the world. The project is reaching CCBC students, faculty and staff, local secondary school teachers, students and community groups.

The program consists of a series of monthly learning experiences, including additional films and panel discussions, lectures by Maryland university professors and trips to museums and a mosque.

For further information call Stephen Arum at 410-455-5122 or Jean Waagbo at 443-840-5005.