Ex-Wheaton College professor speaking at 'Know Your Muslim Neighbor'
As election season heats up, concerns over hate rhetoric are growing for the members of at least one nonprofit group in DuPage County.
On Sunday, DuPage United is hosting an event called "We the People: Know Your Muslim Neighbor" to give residents of different races and religions a chance to discuss those concerns and start creating a counternarrative to that rhetoric.
While the event is not open to the public, organizers hope it will inspire other groups to consider building relationships with their Muslim neighbors to get beyond stereotypes and misinformation.
"We are starting with our own membership and those that are interested in working with us long term," said Amy Lawless, lead organizer for DuPage United. "They can expect an opportunity to meet and interact with people they might not ordinarily interact with. The hope is those initiated relationships will then continue."
The nonpartisan group, which represents more than 25 area churches, mosques, temples, associations and unions, has worked on a variety of issues - such as workforce development, government reform and improving education in the county - since its founding in 2003.
In recent months, the issue that has alarmed DuPage United members most has been Islamophobia, and the use of "us" and "them" as opposed to "We the People."
"We want the hate rhetoric out of our media, whatever's broadcast in TV shows, in speeches given in political campaigns, everywhere. In all aspects of American life we want to get rid of hate rhetoric," said Tabassum Haleem, executive director of the Council of Islamic Organizations of Greater Chicago, which has members that are also part of DuPage United.
Larycia Hawkins, the former Wheaton College professor who was put on administrative leave for saying Muslims and Christians believe in the same God, will be speaking at the event. Haleem said Hawkins exemplifies "how to walk the walk and not just talk the talk."
"One of the themes of this campaign is courageous conversations," Haleem said. "We recognize that standing up for a vulnerable population takes courage. Some people in their minds might realize what's being done is wrong and they may not like it, but they may not go to the next step of speaking up. Others might speak up, but only in safe space. Then there are others who are willing to do it at a price. That's what Dr. Hawkins did."
Sunday's event, which runs from 3 to 5 p.m. at Shalimar Banquets in Addison, is the first of several community conversations DuPage United is planning this year to give Muslims and non-Muslims a chance to talk face-to-face, ask each other questions and build understanding. More than 500 people are expected to attend.
"It's starting out as a solidarity-with-Muslims campaign, but as it progresses throughout the year, it will be addressing issues that are affecting other populations as well," Haleem said. "It really is meant to be inclusive, but we just want to take it one step at a time and really would encourage people, even if they can't attend this event, to take advantage in their neighborhoods, if there's an open mosque or an open church or an open synagogue, to get to know their neighbors."
Other speakers include Mohsin Ishaq, Muslim Student Association president at the Illinois Institute of Technology, and the Rev. James Honig from Faith Lutheran Church in Glen Ellyn.
Anyone interested in joining the conversation and getting involved with DuPage United's campaign is encouraged to reach out to organizers at dupageunited.org/contact.