In a student panel Thursday April 4, six Middle Eastern BYU students hosted a question and answer session to correct misconceptions about Islam and violence.
Answering over two dozen questions, the panel said the Arab and Muslim people are portrayed as bloodthirsty terrorists when in fact their lives are based upon a religion of peace and obedience.
"Our goal is to change the message of violence students have received about the Middle East and Muslim religion," said Shadi Qawasmi, 19, a sophomore majoring in communications from the West Bank.
The panel included only BYU students in an effort to connect the foreign issue to campus life.
All six panelists agreed the biggest misconception among Americans is the idea that all Middle Eastern people are terrorists.
"Unfortunately we all have biases," said Laila Lamani, 20, a junior from Morocco majoring in computer science. "Before I came to the U.S. I thought all Americas were like the actors on the Bold and the Beautiful."
Lamani said the only way to change misconceptions is to learn about the different cultures and ask intelligent questions.
Still, most Middle Eastern students are frustrated that the correct message is not getting to the American people.
One student said it is hard to learn both sides of the story when the media does not equally report all issues.
"Jewish blood is more highly regarded than Palestinian blood by the media," said Firas Qawasmi, 23, senior majoring in accounting from the West Bank. "I think this is wrong. A life is a life."
Firas Qawasmi recently lost three of his cousins in the war in the Middle East.
Many students had questions about the Muslim people and culture since the Sept. 11 attacks, said Joshua Bird, 21, freshman majoring in business finance from Quincy, Washington.
"I attended this panel discussion hoping to receive answers to my questions first-hand," Bird said. "It is always best to go directly to the source."
The panel addressed all questions appropriately and accurately, Bird said.
"I learned that we are all brothers and sisters," he said. "Finding similarities and learning more about each other is the first step to establishing peace."
Copyright Brigham Young University 4 Apr 2002
