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Islamic scholar speaks to large audience
Speaker presents on the Qur'an, gives students better understanding of Islamic traditions
Breann Schossow
Issue date: 3/13/08 Section: News
Islamic scholar Ingrid Mattson gave her presentation "The Story of the Qur'an: Its Relevance and Impact on Society" for the Forum Series on Monday evening.
"I'm really delighted to be here," Mattson said.
The moderator for the evening, senior Luke Barnekow, introduced Mattson to the crowd, referring to her research in Islamic law and society, her work with Pakistani refugees and other past accomplishments. Mattson said this would not be the focus of the evening.
"I'm focusing my lecture this evening on the Qur'an," she said. Mattson began her lecture with an introduction about the language of the Qur'an, Arabic, which she termed "a very beautiful, poetic language." She also gave a brief history of the Qur'an and Mohammed.
Throughout the lecture, Mattson told three stories about women in the religion. One of her stories focused on a Syrian woman who wanted to memorize the Qur'an, and was later certified as a 28th link in a chain of people which led back to Mohammed, she said. Mattson prompted laughs from the audience with a comment of how long it would take to memorize the Qur'an.
"We would be here until the same time tomorrow," she said. "I'm not going to do that to you."
Mattson concluded the lecture with an example of a feminist from the ninth Century, saying there has been misuse of the Qur'an by men to put women down. A 30 minute question- and- answer session between Mattson and the audience followed the lecture. Questions covered topics such as Muslims in Europe as well as curiosity about the speaker's conversion to Islam.
Freshman April Ross said she attended the forum because she's really interested in Islamic traditions.
"I thought she was a fabulous speaker," Ross said, adding that she felt Mattson spoke to individuals in the audience who did not have a strong understanding in the topic.
"(It's) like a 21st Century perspective on what it's like to be a Muslim," Ross said, also stating she wanted to meet Mattson and ask her if she encountered any struggles on the way to a position of power as a woman.
After the question and answer period, there was a reception including food, an opportunity to talk to the speaker and a book signing. Her book was for sale at the event as well as at the bookstore.
Activities and Programs Director Beverly Soll said she was "delighted" with the event, noting coordinators initially turned people away because of ticket demand. However, she said when it appeared some season ticket holders were not showing up, they began selling again.
"It was nice to see so many people," she said.
Soll was also pleased with Mattson as a speaker because she was able to acknowledge radicalism while demonstrating peacefulness.
"I'm proud of the forum committee for choosing such a good speaker," she said. "She was everything I had hoped she would be."
"I'm really delighted to be here," Mattson said.
The moderator for the evening, senior Luke Barnekow, introduced Mattson to the crowd, referring to her research in Islamic law and society, her work with Pakistani refugees and other past accomplishments. Mattson said this would not be the focus of the evening.
"I'm focusing my lecture this evening on the Qur'an," she said. Mattson began her lecture with an introduction about the language of the Qur'an, Arabic, which she termed "a very beautiful, poetic language." She also gave a brief history of the Qur'an and Mohammed.
Throughout the lecture, Mattson told three stories about women in the religion. One of her stories focused on a Syrian woman who wanted to memorize the Qur'an, and was later certified as a 28th link in a chain of people which led back to Mohammed, she said. Mattson prompted laughs from the audience with a comment of how long it would take to memorize the Qur'an.
"We would be here until the same time tomorrow," she said. "I'm not going to do that to you."
Mattson concluded the lecture with an example of a feminist from the ninth Century, saying there has been misuse of the Qur'an by men to put women down. A 30 minute question- and- answer session between Mattson and the audience followed the lecture. Questions covered topics such as Muslims in Europe as well as curiosity about the speaker's conversion to Islam.
Freshman April Ross said she attended the forum because she's really interested in Islamic traditions.
"I thought she was a fabulous speaker," Ross said, adding that she felt Mattson spoke to individuals in the audience who did not have a strong understanding in the topic.
"(It's) like a 21st Century perspective on what it's like to be a Muslim," Ross said, also stating she wanted to meet Mattson and ask her if she encountered any struggles on the way to a position of power as a woman.
After the question and answer period, there was a reception including food, an opportunity to talk to the speaker and a book signing. Her book was for sale at the event as well as at the bookstore.
Activities and Programs Director Beverly Soll said she was "delighted" with the event, noting coordinators initially turned people away because of ticket demand. However, she said when it appeared some season ticket holders were not showing up, they began selling again.
"It was nice to see so many people," she said.
Soll was also pleased with Mattson as a speaker because she was able to acknowledge radicalism while demonstrating peacefulness.
"I'm proud of the forum committee for choosing such a good speaker," she said. "She was everything I had hoped she would be."
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