Speakers address tenets of Islam

Islam is based on a peaceful and balanced life, speakers said.
By LAURE CIOFFI
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
YOUNGSTOWN -- At one time, Mahasin Abruwi thought of becoming an investment banker.
But as a Muslim woman living in America, she decided to look for a more balanced life to enjoy both family and work.
"I worked for a year as an analyst at a large Boston law firm. I really saw how much my value system didn't mesh with it, and it got me to think about where I want to be," she said.
Abruwi, 24, of Savannah, Ga., spoke Saturday at the state conference of the American Society of Muslims Ohio Leadership Council.
The weekend event was sponsored by the Youngstown Islamic Center and the Department of Islamic Studies at Youngstown State University.
Imam Dawud Abdullah, leader of the Youngstown Islamic Center, said he was pleased with the quality of speakers but disappointed with the low turnout at Saturday's talks. There were about 15 people present.
Christal Murray-Ells of Struthers, who started practicing Islam in December, said she found the conference reassuring.
It reinforced what she has been reading and studying. "Islam is basically a religion of peace. We are no different than any other religion," she said.
Emphasizing peace
Abruwi and Imam Dawud Walid of Detroit talked about the roots of Islam and how it has changed through the centuries.
Both stressed that Islam is based on a peaceful and balanced life and not the violence seen in recent years in the Middle East.
"In Islam, we are not allowed to take an innocent life. If someone submits or is injured in battle, you are not allowed to kill," said Walid, the chairman of religious studies for the American Society of Muslims National Young Adults Association.
Abruwi also noted the treatment of women in some Middle Eastern countries is not in accord with Muslim teachings. Women should be respected, have the right to pursue work and religion, and know her family, she said.
Abruwi said there are no specific restrictions on dress, but Muslim women are instructed to dress modestly.
"It doesn't say anything about covering your face or wearing all black. We look at those things as more tradition than religion," she said.
Walid stressed the need for more study by Muslims to follow the true teachings of the Prophet Mohammed, founder of Islam.
"We need to place the emphasis on the internal things," he said.