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Class tries to bridge the ignorance gap Mail Tribune / Jim Craven Ashland High School students crowd into a tent mosque Tuesday to learn about the Islamic faith as part of Bill Gabriel's global studies class. By JOHN DARLING ASHLAND - When national news accounts began referring to perpetrators of the Sept. 11 attacks as "Islamic terrorists," Ashland High School teacher Bill Gabriel dropped his European history unit and plunged into Middle Eastern studies, a journey that Tuesday took him and his global studies class to an Islamic mosque for two hours of instruction. "Forget Europe; this is timely, and we have to catch the moment," said Gabriel. "There's a lot of Arab distrust of Europe and America and vice versa, so let's bridge the ignorance gap, let's get out of the classroom and break the barriers down." Lying about on pillows in a huge, darkened tent-mosque, students heard David Jalajel and Perouz Seda Ghaty, both local Muslims, describe Islam as a religion of peace under the guidance of the same God found in Judaic and Christian religions. "It clarified a lot for me and showed the truth behind the stereotypes and that terrorism has no real connection with Islam," student Peter Jensen said afterward. Terrorism, targeting of innocent civilians or any act of unprovoked war is condemned in Islam, Jalajel told the students. The people who hijacked American jets and flew them into the World Trade Center and the Pentagon "are a handful of freaks, like the Rev. Jim Jones (leader of mass suicide in Guyana) was within Christianity, but much more dangerous because of the openness of our global village," said Jalajel. "They have a sick, twisted concept of God." "It's sad to see the imprinting of this phrase 'Muslim terrorist' on our minds," said Seda Ghaty. "Don't associate them with Islam. They are murdering cults and their crime against Islam is greater than I can tell you." Student Alex Kloeb said the visit provided an interesting look into a different culture. "I'm sure I had misconceptions about Muslims as terrorists," Kloeb said, "but now I can see that it (al-Qaida speaking for Islam) is like someone shooting up a school and saying that's the will of God." Islam reveres Adam, Moses and Jesus as well as Mohammed as prophets in its own scriptures, Jalajel said. It emphasizes free will in obeying the law of God, considers men and women equal and requires women to show only their face and hands in public to stress they are foremost spiritual and not sexual beings, he said. It allows the use of deadly force only if attacked and forbids carrying on war if the other side sues for peace, he added. Islam considers Allah the one and only God, with no divine children or sub-deities, doesn't believe in original sin or the temptation of Eve and considers Satan a powerless being who rejected God of his own free will, he told students. "I really liked it - the kindness and respect of it," said student Camila Thorndike. "I definitely would like to attend a service. I thought Islamic women were treated as inferior beings, but it's nice to hear their dress is for respect. I didn't know anything about Islam or even if what Osama bin Laden did was for his religion. I see he's more of a cult now." "I learned the similarities between Christianity, Islam and Judaism and that it takes a lot of dedication, compared to just going to church once a week," said student Ashtyn Steele. "It was really interesting to hear how similar it was to other religions and how many (1.4 billion) Muslims there are. I respect it, but I couldn't follow the rules of Allah," said Jennifer Hooper. "I knew it was just a few terrorists, not all Muslims (in the attacks), and I don't think Muslims should be seen as murderers." The students peppered Seda Ghaty and Jalajel with questions, ending on a light note about why the Judeo-Christian God had to rest on the seventh day of creation, but Allah did not. The answer: Allah has no limitations, so he doesn't get tired. The global studies class will make field trips to experience the teachings of Judaism, Hinduism, Buddhism, Taoism and other religions, as well as the cultures that surround them, Gabriel said. John Darling is a free-lance writer living in Ashland. E-mail him at [email protected] . Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.