Course on Islam to be Offered at USM’s
L-A College
June 2003
Americans have become more aware of and interested in Islam
than ever before. Clearly the events of 9/11 thrust this important
cultural and religious tradition into the minds of many who
had previously given it little attention. With the arrival
of the Somali community in Lewiston, local Mainers have also
become more interested in learning about Islam.
In response to this interest, USM’s L-A College will
offer a course in the fall semester titled "Islam in
the West: Post 9/11, Between Clash and Culture.” This
course will go beyond the distortions in the public mind caused
by Islamic extremists and study the fundamentals of true Islam,
its growth, its emergence in the West, including early migrations
to America, and the important contributions made by Muslim
scholars to science and the Renaissance. It will also look
at conflicts within Islam caused by the rise of extremism
and the struggles Muslims have had with reconciling their
traditions and practices with the American way of life.
The instructor for the course will be Najiim Animashaun, a
member of the Islamic Society of Portland and a local historian
on Islamic history in the West. A practicing attorney, he
earned his law degree from the University of Buckingham in
England. He also graduated from the Nigerian Law School and
was admitted to the Bar there. Mr. Animashaun has also earned
a graduate degree from USM’s Muskie School of Public
Policy.
The class (HUM 299) offered through LAC’s
Arts and Humanities program, is scheduled for Wednesday
evenings, 7:00 to 9:30 p.m., beginning September 4. Registration
for this and other courses at the College is open and will
continue through the first week of classes. Members of the
public are invited to register, and anyone who has questions
about course requirements is encouraged to call 753-6500 and
ask to speak to an advisor. A complete
listing of all fall courses at LAC is on-line.
