Annual Meeting of American Muslims Convenes in Chicago

August 30, 2003

Source: The News & Observer (Raleigh, NC)

http://newsobserver.com/24hour/nation/story/983910p-6907186c.html

On August 30, 2003, The News & Observer (Raleigh, NC) ran an Associated Press story that described Muslims learning how to defend their faith during the Chicago convention: "The questions since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks have ranged from benign to offensive, Kareem Irfan said. He has been asked frequently whether Islam condones suicide bombing and once why Muslim women are 'expected to be your slaves?'...[T]he largest U.S. Muslim convention of the year is offering what amounts to a crash course in basic Islamic teachings so the thousands of attendees can return home more confident about defending their faith. Panel discussions at the event, which runs through Monday, include dispelling myths about the Prophet Muhammad, interpreting Quranic verses and a session entitled 'Answering Difficult & Frequently Asked Questions about Islam from American Audiences.'"