Fairfield Celebrates Discover Islam Week with Human Rights Advocate Rais Bhuiyan
Rais Bhuiyan, a human rights advocate, peace activist and president of World Without Hate, will be the keynote speaker for Discover Islam Week. The event will be held on Thursday, March 9 at 6:30 p.m. at the Barone Campus Center Lower Level. All Discover Islam Week events are free and open to the public.
Bhuiyan, an American Muslim from Bangladesh, was attacked and shot in the face in 2001 by Mark Stroman, a white supremacist self-described as 鈥渢he Arab slayer,鈥 seeking vengeance for the 9/11 tragedy. Bhuiyan responded to this by forgiving his attacker and attempting unsuccessfully to prevent his execution. During this time, he founded the non-profit organization World Without Hate, which works to end the cycle of hate and violence.
He was the recipient of the Excellence for Human Service Award, United for Change, Search for Common Ground Award, Search for Common Ground, 2011 American of the Year, Esquire Magazine, 2014 Human Relations Award and Muslim Public Affairs Council Foundation.
Bhuiyan鈥檚 story was chronicled in the novel The True American: Murder & Mercy in Texas by NY Times journalist Anand Giridharadas and in the 2016 documentary, An Eye for An Eye . He is featured in the new documentary series, The Secret Life of Muslims .
Additional events include:
How to be an Ally
Monday, March 6, 7 p.m. McGrath Commons
Wesleyan University's Muslim Chaplain, Sami Aziz, will deliver a lecture about how to overcome hate through common ground.
Interfaith Allies Dinner鈥擲haring Our Religious Diversity
Tuesday, March 7, 6 p.m. Dolan School of Business Dining Room
Fairfield students from all faiths (or none) are invited to dinner and lively discussions that will let us experience the diversity behind the labels.
Hijab Day
Wednesday, March 8, 11 a.m. 鈥 2 p.m., Barone Campus Center Information Desk
Stob by the BCC Information Desk to receive a scarf wrapped and styled for you by volunteers. In the evening, join us for a reflection and in-depth conversation about the topic of Hijab in McGrath Commons.
Jum鈥檃 Prayer
Friday, March 10, 1 p.m. McGrath Commons
Join us for an observation of the Islamic Friday congregational prayer. Trinity Muslim Chaplain, Omer Tawil, will lead the sermon and prayer.
