President's Peace Commission

Leona Pallansch, Political Science Department, St. Mary's University and President's Peace Commissioner, serves as the moderator for this session. She introduces Sister Anne O'Leary, P.B.V.M., Ph.D., Theology Department, St. Mary's University, who speaks of the Jewish perceptions of the children of Abraham and the Christian beliefs as the children of Abraham. Dr. Pallansch then introduces Veysel Demir, Institute for Interfaith Dialogue, San Antonio, who speaks of the Prophet Abraham and how he appears in the Koran. Mr. Demir also comments on the similarities of the three religions. A question and answer period concludes this session. (71 minutes)

Elijah Akhahenda, Ph.D., English and Communication Studies, St. Mary's University, moderates this session. He introduces the two speakers: Yusif Mohamed, President, Muslim Student Association, University of Texas at San Antonio; and, Mustafa Safak, graduate student, St. Mary's University. Mr. Mohamed begins by explaining what Islam is and who Muslims are. Mr. Safak discusses some of the practices Muslims: praying five times a day, fasting, and Hadj (or Hajj) -- a trip to Mecca. During the question and answer period the audience asks, "How do Muslims view gay marriage?" "Do Muslims pray at specific times or when time permits?" and, "Do Muslims believe that Jesus was the Son of God?" (76 minutes)

Floyd Contreras, student President's Peace Commissioner, serves as the moderator for this session. Mr. Contreras introduces Mr. Ali Moshirsadri, Coordinator, Islamic Foundation of San Antonio, who shares examples from the Koran which encourages Muslims to be open-minded and suggests research in areas such as outer space exploration and embryology hundreds of years before the Western world began such research. Mr. Contreras then introduces the second speaker, Sussan Siavoshi, Ph.D., Chair, Political Science, Trinity University. Dr. Siavoshi speaks to the concept of Islamic civilization and looks at the architecture of mosques and palaces. A question and answer period concludes this session. (48 minutes)

Jennifer Butler, graduate student in International Relations, moderates this session. She introduces Asslan Khaligh, professor of Political Science at San Antonio College. Prof. Khaligh proposes that the reason the West is focusing on the "evil" of the Middle East is because it is the center of power (i.e., oil). Iran, his homeland, has never been the aggressor. Prof. Khaligh submits that we are all the same and that Islam is a peaceful religion. A question and answer period concludes this session. (46 minutes)

Lauren Sanchez, student member of the President's Peace Commission, serves as the moderator for this session. She introduces the speakers: Sarwat Husain, Executive Director, Council on American-Islamic Relations, San Antonio Chapter; and, Uzma Zafarullah, law student, St. Mary's University. Ms. Husain gives an overview of Islam, drawing connections/correlations with Christianity. She submits that the Koran gives more right and respect to women and provides examples to support her claim. Ms. Zafarullah concentrated on the woman's rights to property and other rights provided in Islam. Both women encourage the audience to realize that in Islam, "Men and women are equal, but not the same." A question and answer period concludes this session. (47 minutes)

Alfonso DeLa Torre-Navarte, student member of the President's Peace Commission, serves as moderator for this panel discussion and introduces the guest speaker Asslan Khaligh, Ph.D., an Iranian who currently teaches at San Antonio College. Dr. Khaligh discusses how Islam is the fastest growing religion in the world. India, China, and Africa, among others, have a growing population of Muslims. He then explains the difference between the Sunni and Shi'a Muslims. A question and answer period concludes this session. (49 minutes)

Andrea Jones, International Education, St. Mary's University, serves as the moderator for this panel discussion. She introduces the two guest speakers: Sakib Shaikh, graduate student at St. Mary's University, and Aziz Tanaria, who was born in France, but raised in Morocco, and currently calls San Antonio home. The men dispel some common misperceptions of Islam, such as polygamy and the veil many Muslim women wear. A question and answer period concludes this session. (69 minutes)

Vanessa Colón, student member of the President's Peace Commission, serves as moderator and introduces the guest speakers: Aaron Tyler, Ph.D., Graduate International Relations, St. Mary's University; and, Clement Henry, Ph.D., Government, University of Texas at Austin. Dr. Tyler begins by describing the Shi'a and Sunni divisions of Islam. He references Seyyed Vali Reza Nasr's book The Shia Revival: How Conflicts with Islam will Shape the Future, in which Nasr states that "succession" is the central difference between the Shi'a and Sunni branches of Islam. Dr. Henry shares a map of the geographic area of Muslims. He also explains the divisions within Islam and discusses the political vacuum in Iraq and how some exiles tried to use that to their own benefit. A question and answer period concludes this session, which touches on foreign occupation and suicide bombings. (69 minutes)

Wayne Romo, Director of University Ministry, serves as the moderator for this panel discussion and introduces the guest speakers: Alyssa Burgin, Outreach and Media Director, Texans for Peace; Rosalyn Collier, co-founder of peaceCENTER, San Antonio; and, Sarwat Husain, Executive Director, Council on American-Islamic Relations, San Antonio Chapter. Ms. Burgin relates a story of "Sammy," and Iraq immigrant who had been a restaurateur, but sold his restaurant and went to Iraq after September 11, 2001. "Sammy" joined Christian Peacemaker Teams and wanted to create a Muslim Peacemaker Team; he has been able to quell much of the violence in the areas where he has worked. Ms. Husain tells of establishing a Muslim newspaper after 9/11 and about bringing peace. Ms. Collier speaks of inter-faith traditions working for peace. A question and answer period concludes this session. (68 minutes)

Leona Pallansch, Ph. D., introduces Marian Haddad, who in turn bestows the Art of Peace Award upon H. Palmer Hall, Ph.D., Director, Louis J. Blume Library, St. Mary's University. Dr. Hall reads a poem by Susan Atefat-Peckham before reading a piece of prose he had written about the G.I.s Against Vietnam March. He also read a portion of an essay about the Big Thicket in East Texas and the murder of James Byrd, Jr. He concluded with two poems: one about the second Iraq War; the other about Pete's Pond. (43 minutes0