'Understanding Islam' is topic of weekly classes

By Mary Kaye Ritz
Advertiser Religion & Ethics Writer

•	Muslim series begins Feb. 3 "Understanding Islam" Noncredit class by Saleem Ahmed, author of "Beyond Veil and Holy War: Islamic Teachings and Muslim Practices With Biblical Comparisons" 6:30 to 8 p.m. Tuesdays, Feb. 3 to March 9 (no class on Feb. 24) Room A109, Sakamaki Hall, University of Hawai'i at Manoa $30 (textbook optional) Information: Outreach College, 956-8400, or Ahmed, 371-9360.

With the aftermath of heightened terrorist alerts, canceled airline flights and threats of jihad, the moderate Muslim said he just wants people to understand his religion better.

And he doesn't blame outsiders for the communication disconnect, either.

"I have many lamentations against my fellow Muslim members," he said, noting that he supports the move in France that would exclude the hijab, or women's head covering, from schools' dress codes, a proposal other Muslims have decried.

" ... If the country feels they need to do this to show the strict separation of church and religion, I can certainly appreciate that. There's a tendency of Muslims to use this to differentiate Muslims and non-Muslims. No one is concerned if you're a Buddhist or a Muslim or Christian or follower of any religion. In ordinary life, we meet and interact on the basis of our humanness, and that is how it should continue to be."

Not that he's against the hijab, but Ahmed said it's not listed among the five pillars of Islam and "out of more than 10,000 hadiths, there's only one" that mentions it.

Aside from teaching classes on "Understanding Islam," Ahmed is a soils expert.

When he taught the class on previous occasions, it ranged in size from 10 people to more than 30. Interest peaked after the Sept. 11 attacks.

He also discusses laws of inheritance and marriage, jihad, and aspects of Muslim teachings that may explain the growth of the faith around the world.