Dr. Ali Nizamuddin says you may someday face a Muslim with a mask and a blade, but it’s much more likely to be your doctor than a terrorist.
On April 12, Nizamuddin, a political science professor at University of Illinois Springfield, addressed common misconceptions about Muslims at a meeting of the Rotary Club of Midtown Springfield. The meeting hosted seven international delegates, who listened to the discussion as a part of their journey in the United States to learn about advancing minority rights for their individual countries.
The delegates were guests of the Springfield Commission on International Visitors. The commission works with local community professionals and volunteers to host international visitor leadership programs through Congress and the State Department.
Nizamuddin, the keynote speaker, explained that misconceptions can be attributed to the use of powerful imagery and language to depict groups we don’t understand. His presentation used humor to draw a distinction between ISIS sympathizers and Muslims in general.
The story was reported by the Illinois Times on April 21, 2016.
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