So it appears I'm going to have a "Diversity Lunch"

[The Dude]

So today at uni we got handed this poster for an invitation to a "diversity lunch". Not being sure what that was supposed to be, I joke: "Haha, this is just some politically correct wording for stuffing us into a room with a bunch of muslims under the guise of multiculturalism". Five minutes later after the teacher elaborated, that turned out to be exactly the case.

The students of the Islam course at my school are organising this lunch in order to tell us things about Islam but -also- to take our questions. So you understand of course that as a strong opponent of Islam in the west, I cannot pass this chance up to ask them some. These are people that will one day be Imams, and I for one can't wait to see them justify ridiculous nonsense like why men can't shake the hands of women.

Then I realised that perhaps others of you had Islam questions you would like to see answered aswell. Of course these forums are fun, and people like Sher Khan, Rome and others are doing a pretty good job standing in Islam's defense, but they are no Imams. Perhaps people who study Islam with the intention of actually preaching it in mosques one day can cast an interesting light on things for us aswell.

So, if there's anything you wish for me to ask them, then let me know where and I'll try and compile a list of questions to take along with me to this "Diversity Lunch".

[Djûn]

So long as you ask the questions in a respectful manner, have fun and return your findings, good sir.

[removeduser_487563287433]

So today at uni we got handed this poster for an invitation to a "diversity lunch". Not being sure what that was supposed to be, I joke: "Haha, this is just some politically correct wording for stuffing us into a room with a bunch of muslims under the guise of multiculturalism". Five minutes later after the teacher elaborated, that turned out to be exactly the case.

The students of the Islam course at my school are organising this lunch in order to tell us things about Islam but -also- to take our questions. So you understand of course that as a strong opponent of Islam in the west, I cannot pass this chance up to ask them some. These are people that will one day be Imams, and I for one can't wait to see them justify ridiculous nonsense like why men can't shake the hands of women.

Then I realised that perhaps others of you had Islam questions you would like to see answered aswell. Of course these forums are fun, and people like Sher Khan, Rome and others are doing a pretty good job standing in Islam's defense, but they are no Imams. Perhaps people who study Islam with the intention of actually preaching it in mosques one day can cast an interesting light on things for us aswell.

So, if there's anything you wish for me to ask them, then let me know where and I'll try and compile a list of questions to take along with me to this "Diversity Lunch".

Why do you sound so contemptuous of the offer to ask some questions?

[The Dude]

Why do you sound so contemptuous of the offer to ask some questions?

I do? Not my intention. As dune42 said, as long as I'm respectful, all is well, and respectful is what I'll be. Some of my friends who don't like Islam either are not attending because 'it's a muslim thing' which is IMO totally retarded. Any chance to engage in dialogue is a bonus. But I will ask critical questions and I won't be mild.

EDIT: Actually if I sound contemptuous it's probably because of the name given to this whole event. "Diversity Lunch". Political correctness at work.

[wilpuri]

Why do you sound so contemptuous of the offer to ask some questions?

Hehe. If the BNP came to your school, offering to answer your questions, all you could do is foam at the mouth, methinks.

A fantastic resolution too. By all means hate religion, but hate and dislike is never an excuse for eliminating reason and free thought or an excuse for intolerance. To Kill a Mockingbird book by Harper Lee taught me how to see things from another angle, always, and a lot of my beliefs have changed as a result.

All the hate.

[Каие]

Hehe. If the BNP came to your school, offering to answer your questions, all you could do is foam at the mouth, methinks.

In my school the BNP were in my classes.

All the hate.

I like Finland. You on the other hand....

[wilpuri]

In my school the BNP were in my classes.

Did they hate you?

I like Finland. You on the other hand....

Hey, don't be like that. I like Finland, too.

[Каие]

Did they hate you?

Culture and class united us.

Hey, don't be like that. I like Finland, too.

I see what you did there

[removeduser_487563287433]

Well yeah its poorly named but the event itself is precisely the sort of thing that should be happening.

[The Dude]

I agree, and there's a part of me that hopes that they'll actually moderate my views on Islam. The other part of me fears that they'll be a bunch of Wahhabi nutcases which will probably achieve the exact opposite effect.

[basics]

" I agree, and there's a part of me that hopes that they'll actually moderate my views on Islam. The other part of me fears that they'll be a bunch of Wahhabi nutcases which will probably achieve the exact opposite effect."

The Dude,

The whole point of the exercise was to tell you what Islam is and not what you would like it to be. In other words it was not a debate despite being invited to ask questions. The objective being to draw you in by appealing to your desire for peace, the thing that they espouse as Islam.

I assume that the same departure was granted for the Christian side at this school so that the invitation to Muslims was given that they too should ask questions in a manner repectful to that belief? Go on surprise me and tell me it was?

[The Dude]

" I agree, and there's a part of me that hopes that they'll actually moderate my views on Islam. The other part of me fears that they'll be a bunch of Wahhabi nutcases which will probably achieve the exact opposite effect."

The Dude,

The whole point of the exercise was to tell you what Islam is and not what you would like it to be. In other words it was not a debate despite being invited to ask questions. The objective being to draw you in by appealing to your desire for peace, the thing that they espouse as Islam.

I assume that the same departure was granted for the Christian side at this school so that the invitation to Muslims was given that they too should ask questions in a manner repectful to that belief? Go on surprise me and tell me it was?

There's no christian theology course at our college, so no, such an initiative wasn't there. We have the only Islamic theology course that trains people to be Imams in the entire country, so our college is more muslim-heavy than pretty much any other college in the country. I'd wager a guess that about 90 to 95% of the non muslims at our school are atheists. So not many christians left, then.

[bthizle1]

I'd wager a guess that about 90 to 95% of the non muslims at our school are atheists. So not many christians left, then.

What would you say the percentage of Muslims at your school is? The majority???

Where is this school? Somewhere in the Netherlands I'm assuming.....

I can just imagine you sitting there dude.....god that would be hilarious to hear your actual thoughts during their speeches. (You aren't reputably one of the most "tolerant" individuals towards Muslims.)

[removeduser_487563287433]

Well keep us informed.

[IrishHitman]

Well keep us informed.

Video.

[Gromovnik]

So, are the students forced to participate, or is it voluntary?

[The Dude]

It's voluntarily.

[Gromovnik]

It's voluntarily.

Thank God...

[Homeros]

Thank God...

Thank Allah

[Dayman]

So today at uni we got handed this poster for an invitation to a "diversity lunch". Not being sure what that was supposed to be, I joke: "Haha, this is just some politically correct wording for stuffing us into a room with a bunch of muslims under the guise of multiculturalism". Five minutes later after the teacher elaborated, that turned out to be exactly the case.

The students of the Islam course at my school are organising this lunch in order to tell us things about Islam but -also- to take our questions. So you understand of course that as a strong opponent of Islam in the west, I cannot pass this chance up to ask them some. These are people that will one day be Imams, and I for one can't wait to see them justify ridiculous nonsense like why men can't shake the hands of women.

Then I realised that perhaps others of you had Islam questions you would like to see answered aswell. Of course these forums are fun, and people like Sher Khan, Rome and others are doing a pretty good job standing in Islam's defense, but they are no Imams. Perhaps people who study Islam with the intention of actually preaching it in mosques one day can cast an interesting light on things for us aswell.

So, if there's anything you wish for me to ask them, then let me know where and I'll try and compile a list of questions to take along with me to this "Diversity Lunch".

This might be interesting. It's a shame they have to mask a Q&A session as a "Diversity Lunch".

Don't get angry or debate them, remember as a representative of TWC if you get in trouble we will suspend you

Some questions:

How do moderate Muslims view the extremists? What are they doing to end religious-based violence?
What do you think Islam can do to remove the negative connotations its accumulated in recent years?
Should Muslims be forced to assimilate to the culture of the nation they emigrate to or should they force the establishment to accept their worldview? Can there be a happy balance?