Southern Methodist University's

 William P. Clements Center for Southwest Studies
in cooperation with
The Scott Hawkins Lecture Series of
The Clements Center Department of History

present

Islam in North Texas

Saturday, October 5, 2002

This public forum, the second in “The World of Islam” series, explored what it means to be American and Muslim in North Texas. Presenters discussed the breadth and diversity of the Muslim American experience, from the daily practice of Muslims living in a predominantly non-Islamic country to the perspectives of Muslim women, of second and third generation Muslim Americans, of converts, of the growing numbers of African American Muslims, as well as how Muslim refugees and asylum-seekers adjust to life in North Texas.  In addition, one panel will focused on the work of Muslim charitable organizations in the context of the practice of Islam.

Conference Chairpersons:

• David J. Weber, Director, Clements Center for Southwest Studies; Dedman Chair Professor; SMU Clements Department of History

• Dennis Cordell, Associate Dean of General Education; Professor, SMU Clements Department of History

• James K. Hopkins, Professor and Chair, SMU Clements Department of History

Conference Organizers:

• Andrea Boardman, Executive Director, William P. Clements Center for Southwest Studies

Advisors:

• Dr. Yusuf Ziya Kavakci, Islamic Association of North Texas

• Hesham El-Rewini, Professor and Chair, SMU Computer Science and Engineering Department

• Michael Provence, Assistant Professor, SMU Department of History

• Asad Rahman, 2002-2003 President of the SMU Muslim Students Association

• Nazreen Hassan, 2001-2002 President of the SMU Muslim Students Association

• William Finnin, SMU Chaplain and Student Adviser to Muslim students

• Mohsen Mobasher, Professor of Anthropology & Sociology, University of Houston

• Mahmoud Sadri, Professor of Sociology of Religions, Texas Women’s University

• Barbara D’Amico, SMU Cox School of Business  

• Rev. Roy H. Harrell, The Thanks-Giving Foundation

• Margaret Dew, SMU Cox School of Business

Conference Program

Introductions & Objectives:  Why We Are Here

• Dennis Cordell, Professor, SMU William P. Clements Department of History and Associate Dean of General Education

• Hesham El-Rewini, Professor and Chair, SMU Computer Science and Engineering Department

Islam in North Texas—An Overview
Panelists provided an overview of the history of Muslims in the area, with an estimate of the demographics today and a picture of the expanding presence of mosques in North Texas communities.  Panelists described their experiences since Sept. 11^th, 2001 with examples of how various Muslim leaders have developed public outreach programs to explain Islamic life to fellow Americans, demonstrating that there is great diversity among Muslims in the region.

Moderator:  Michael Provence, Assistant Professor, SMU Clements Department of History, Middle East Studies

Being Muslim, Being American: Islam in Daily Life:  
Muslim men and women from different parts of North Texas discussed the challenges of practicing Islam in a non-Muslim majority society and the wide spectrum of identities as both Americans and as Muslims.

• Introduction:  Jim Watson, Attorney and Advisory Board Member of the William P. Clements Center for Southwest Studies at SMU

• Moderator:  Mahmud Sadri, Professor of Sociology of Religions, Texas Women’s University

Being Muslim, Being American: Perspectives of the Younger Generation               
Young Muslim Americans shared experiences of practicing their faith while participating in education, work, and social activities. They describe the choices they face amidst the pressures of generational, religious, and cultural differences

• Introduction: Mohsen Mobasher, Professor of Anthropology & Sociology, University of Houston

• Moderator:  Asad Rahman,  SMU Senior, Senator in SMU Student Senate, President of the SMU Muslim Students Association 

Being Muslim, Being American: The Work of North Texas Muslim Charitable Organizations
Charitable organizations have been in the media since the events of September 11^th.  Panelists discussed the role of charity in Islam, and will explore what is at stake for both Muslim Americans in North Texas and the recipients of their charitable gifts.

• Introduction:  James K. Hopkins, Professor and Chair, SMU Clements Department of History

• Moderator:  Michael Provence, Assistant Professor, SMU Clements Department of History, Middle East Studies

Being Muslim, Being American: African American Perspectives
North Texas offers a window into the evolution of what has become the Muslim American Society.  Panelists described the gathering of African American Muslim families here in the 1950s and the formation of the first African American mosque in the 1960s.  They also discussed the national work of Imam W. Deen Muhammad on behalf of multi-racial Islam and its impact on African American Muslims in North Texas from the late Seventies and early Eighties to the present day.

• Introduction: Glenn M. Linden, Professor, SMU Department of History

• Moderator:  Shahid Abdus Salaam, Dallas Masjid of Al-Islam 

Being Muslim, Being American:  Convert's Perspectives
Panelists discussed their reasons for converting, and the process involved.  They describe the experience of explaining their new religion and identity to friends, family, and co-workers.  They commented on what Islam has in common with other religions.

• Introduction: Caroline Brettell, Professor and Chair of SMU Department of Anthrology

• Moderator: Pervaiz Rahman, M.D.  

Being Muslim, Being American: Women’s Perspectives
While the media has created an often negative stereotype of the lives of Muslim women in other countries, members of this panel discussed what is it like to be a Muslim woman in the U.S., from childhood to adulthood, as single women, spouses, mothers, and professionals.

• Introduction: Sherry Smith, Acting Director, Clements Center, and Professor, SMU Department of History

• Moderator:  Deborah Sarles Zbeida, Educational Consultant and Teacher Trainer 

Closing:  Dennis Cordell and Hesham El-Rewini 

The Scott–Hawkins Lecture Series is a generous contributor to “Islam in North Texas.”  The endowment honors the work of Mr. Elmer Scott, founder of the Dallas Civic Federation, and Ms. Gaynell Hawkins, an SMU graduate who became the head of the Federation’s school in 1926, which she renamed “The Social Service Institute.”  The Federation was a regional and local force in social studies, adult education, and the arts until 1951, when it was absorbed into the Dallas Council on World Affairs.  The Scott-Hawkins Lecture Series was established with the funds of the Federation when it concluded its operations.

For more information, please contact:  Clements Center for Southwest Studies, Southern Methodist University, at 214-768-3684 or swcenter@mail.smu.edu.

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 Last updated October 3, 2002