class this morning.

Just before our Patho lecture finished this morning, our professor allowed a student to make an announcement before we were dismissed. She was advertising Islam Awareness week on campus, and was encouraging us to check out their - the Islam Student's Association - booth in the main building. She had a poster too, one that I had previously seen hung in and around Residence elevators. There is a guest lecturer too, a professor in Islam studies from the U of A. I guess on Thursday, the last day, he is speaking/leading a discussion for anyone who is interested.

What's odd is that last year she was 'normal' - as in she wore street clothes to school, like the typical jeans and t-shirt thing. But when fall came around, she was in a hijaab and wearing long, floor-length dresses. And she isn't even ethnically 'Muslim' - I am darker than her! I know not everyone who appears Middle Eastern is Muslim, but if she was, her change in appearance wouldn't have seemed so odd.

Anyways, there she was, advertising her 'Who is God?' lecture/session/booth. My mind was racing a million miles per minute, but I'm at a loss of what to think of this. Just last night at bible study we were ask how we reflect and glorify Jesus during the week - I have never stood in front of a class and advertised my 'religion'. Was her speech even OK? Should we be allowed to advertise 'religion' in a class completely unrelated? And as a Christian, how do I respond? What should I think? I have also read a lot about women in the Muslim religion, and I am biased to think that they are often oppressed and not regarded as equals. There is a lot of debate about the teachings of the Quran in regards to abuse too. BUT - there are always exceptions, right? I am not a practicing Muslim, so how can I really know?

I don't mind at all that she's Muslim - just the boldness of her and her Association caught me by surprise. Perhaps this is just secular school at its finest. I mean, I'm not offended - I just don't agree with her views. GAH - I have so many thoughts, yet feel so clueless.

D.