Indianapolis Recorder, Indianapolis, Marion County, 7 October 2005 — Page 13

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2005

THE INDIANAPOLIS RECORDER

PAGE B3

Seminary fo sponsor domestic violence workshops aimed at men

:Special to the Recorder

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Because women are its primary victims and survivors, domestic violence is commonly framed as a “women’s issue.” But domestic violence is also a “men’s issue,” “and if we are to change this destructive expression of sexism, then men must join women in the struggle to become a part of the solution,” said Johanna Bos, professor of Bible and Old Testament and director of the Women’s Center at Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary. Through its Women’s Center, the seminary will contribute to the national Domestic Violence Awareness month by offering a series of workshops, called “Domestic Violence: It Is Your Business - Why and How Men Should Care.” Offered primarily for men but open to all persons, the three workshops will be held free of charge Oct. 26, Nov. 2, and Nov. 9, from 7-9 p.m., at Gardencourt, Room 206. Participants will be invited to address tough issues such as gender dynamics and violence; “manhood” as performance and what this performance means in terms of sexism and domestic violence; the barriers that must come down in

the struggle for liberation from domestic violence; and how in these efforts preachers, counselors, and others can become allies instead of bystanders. Rus Ervin Funk, research and education specialist for the Center for Women and Families of Louisville, and a nationally recognized expert in the field of domestic violence research and education, will lead the three sessions. Funk is the author of Stopping Rape: A Challenge for Men (New Society Publishers) and recently founded Mobilizing to End violeNce (M.E.N.) in Louisville. He is the co-founder of the Indiana Men’s Outreach Working Group, the coordinator of the Pornography Task Force for the Jefferson County Chapter of NOW, and sits on the boards of directors of the Fairness Campaign in Louisville, the Indiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence, and the National Center on Domestic and Sexual Violence. Reservations will be required for the workshops. Participants may sign up for one, two or all three of them. Contact JohannaBos at (502) 895-3411, or by e-mail: [email protected].

Israeli president invited for state visit with Pope Benedict XVI

President Moshe Katsav will be a guest of the Vatican in the middle of next month. The official visit will mark a first by an Israeli president to the Vatican. The Vatican visit will take place during Katsav’s trip to Italy, which will also also be hosting an Israeli president on a state visit for the first time. Katsav and Pope Benedict XVI will discuss ways of expanding cooperation on state affairs between the Vatican and Israel and deepening the dialogue between Judaism and Catholicism. Katsav will also ask the Pope to step up the Vatican’s actions against anti-Semitism throughout the world and to allow Israeli researchers access to documents in the Vatican’s archives. Israel’s ambassador to the Vatican, Oded Ben Hur, said yesterday from Rome that the visit was an important step in the two states’ reconciliation. “It reflects the good relations between the two states and their strengthening,” he said. Recently, Israel and the Vatican have ironed out the controversy stemming from the Pope’s failure to mention Israel in the list of states that suffer from terror. The controversy ended when Cardinal Angelo Sodano, the Vatican’s secretary of state - the equivalent to the prime minister - announced that an “error” had caused it. Prime Minister Ariel Sharon sent Sodano a letter praising the Pope, calling him “a true friend of Israel” and expressing regret that Israel was not mentioned in his statement. Katsav’s adviser on state affairs, Avi Granot, said yesterday that there were two sides to the meeting

between the president and the Pope. “Israel and the Vatican are two states maintaining diplomatic relations but beyond that, the recognition agreement between them mentions that Israel represents the Jewish nation and the Vatican represents the Catholic world, and hence the importance of the meeting,” he said. He said both bilateral issues and issues pertaining to the dialogue between the religions would be discussed at the meeting. Katsav’s visit in Italy will include military parades, raising flags and all the ceremonial accoutrements reserved for heads of state. He will reside in Quirinale Palace in Rome’s Palazzo del Quirinale, the Italian presidents’ residence and formerly the palace of the kings of Rome and the palace of the popes. The visit may include a trip to the Jewish community in Milan.

President Moshe Katsav

REVIEW ► Continued from B1

for children’s books designed specifically for the AfricanAmerican demographic. A public school art teacher for more than 30 years, Crump has been the illustrator for more than 40 books, including Little Red Riding Hood, Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, and Favorite Bible Stories, all contextualized for AfricanAmerican children. Urban Ministries Inc., which says it is the largest in-dependently-owned AfricanAmerican religious media communications firm in the United States, has been creating magazines, books, videos, DVDs, music and crafts for the urban and African - Am e ri can communities for 35 years. Its efforts to produce quality products geared toward encouraging and building up the African-American community have earned acclaim, including recognition by the Evangelical Press Association. Its products have won Chicago Emmy and Angel awards as well. There will be a coloring contest sponsored by UMI throughout the book’s promotion. Three Kings and a Star will be followed in 2006 by UMI’s The Carpenter from Galilee.

AL-ISLAM IN AMERICA

Read whole Qur'an in Ramadan

By IMAM MIKAL SAAHIR The reading of the entire Qur’an, from cover to cover is very common for all Muslims. Regardless of gender, age, or status in life, every Ramadan Muslims strive earnestly to read the entire Qur’an. Actually, one of the strong characteristics of fasting in the month of Ramadan is reading 1/3 0 th of the sacred text each day. Many read it in English, but many are learning to read this book of revelation in the original Arabic. It was during the month of Ramadan that Prophet Muhammed, prayers and peace be upon him, received the first portion of the Holy Qur’an. That is one of the main reasons why the Qur’an is read in completion during Ramadan. Chapter 2: verse 185 of the Holy Qur’an states, “Ramadan is the (month) in which was sent down the Qur’an, as a guide to mankind, also clear (signs) for guidance and judgment (between right and wrong).

So every one of you who is present (at his home) during that month should spend it in fasting, but if any one is ill, or on a journey, the prescribed period (should be made up) by days later.” Fasting is a time of restraining and gaining mastery over our appetites. In place of eating, and drinking, those activities are replaced with prayer, reading of the Holy Qur’an, sharing with others, and any other activities that purifies one’s soul. The Muslim rises early each day of the fast in order to complete the morning meal. Approximately one hour before sunrise the believer begins the day of fasting until sunset when they break the fast with fresh fruit and water and prayer before enjoying a full meal. This mode of fasting is repeated for 3 0 consecutive days or until the sighting of the new moon. One night, called the night of power, is set aside for special recognition of Prophet Muhammed receiving the first five verses of the Holy Qur’an. The night of power is believed by most Muslims to be the 27 th night of the month of Ramadan, but all agree that

the night of power is in the last 10 nights of Ramadan, an oddnumbered night. The Holy Qur’an states, (Chapter 97, verses: 1-5) “We have indeed revealed this (message) in the night of power: And what will explain to thee what the night of power is? The night of power is better than a thousand months. Therein come down the angels and the spirit by Allah’s permission, on every errand; peace!... This until the rise of morn!” The Islamic month of fasting is practiced by Muslims of all races, ethnicities and nationalities. It is a universal act that unites all Muslims as servants of Allah (G-d). We pray that people of all faiths will join us in the spirit of fasting - a time in which we obey G-d as a family of believers. Until next week, As-Salaam Alaikum. We welcome your questions and comments. Please submit them to Al-Islam in America, C/0 Imam Mikal Saahir, NurAllah Islamic Center, 2040 E. 46th St., Indianapolis, IN, 46205. Or e-mail: [email protected].

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