Longview Weather
79°F
Severe
Full Forecaste

Past Month's Most Commented Stories

Home > Area News

Muslim Egypt meets Kalama High

Friday, October 10, 2008 11:43 PM PDT

By Leila Summers

Font Size:
 
 

KALAMA — Silence fell on the Kalama High School auditorium when a guest from Egypt asked if any students had Muslim friends or interacted with Muslim people before Thursday.

A single student in the class raised his hand to say his mom is friends with a Muslim woman.

Islam, and America’s view of the religion, emerged as a hot topic during an hourlong discussion between a senior-level Kalama social studies class and a panel of five Egyptian visitors.

The conversation Thursday afternoon touched on everything from how schools in Egypt differ from American, to what the West can learn from other countries.

Understanding foreign governments, politics and cultural differences are the main goals for the organization — called The American Council of Young Political Leaders — that brought the Egyptians to Kalama. The bi-partisan group is funded in part by the U.S. State Department.

Panel members encouraged Kalama students to pay attention to world events and learn about other cultures. Then, perhaps, the misconception linking terrorists as a face to the Muslim faith wouldn’t be a problem in America, they said.

“I do believe Islam is the religion of mercy ... and the religion of peace,” Saneya Mahmoud Abdel Hameed Elfiky said.

“I wanted to explain a majority of Muslim people don’t have a problem with the West,” added Shaimaa Ali Abouabla Elsayed.

Those views aren’t what Kalama student William Coleberg, 17, said he expected to hear. Coleberg expected to hear the panel express dislike for America, he said.

“They didn’t seem hostile. I thought they would be a lot different,” Coleberg said.

Kalama student Amanda Purcell, 18, left the discussion inspired to learn more about other countries. It’s unfortunate American media doesn’t provide more good news from abroad, she said.

“We don’t hear about the good, just the negative,” she said. Also, world news in America tends to focus “just on how it impacts us.”

“I kind of feel like America is self-centered,” she said.

Kalama School Board member Shannon Barnett participated in a similar exchange last year, traveling to Egypt and Jordan and helped coordinate Thursday’s visit.

Experiencing a foreign country first-hand provides a much deeper understanding — but it’s something Americans rarely do, he said.

“We’re victims of our own geography ... we only vacation within our borders,” Barnett said.

The Egyptian delegates arrived in America last weekend and toured Washington D.C., where they sat down to meet with U.S. Representative Brian Baird, D-Vancouver. The group spent just one day in Washington and planned to soon head out to Colorado — a contentious battleground state — to learn about how Americans will elect their next president.

Previous Next

Keath Huff wrote on Oct 10, 2008 11:48 AM:

" The Cowlitz County GOP was honored to have the Egyptian guests at our offices on Thursday.

They were very interested in the grassroots of politics in the US.

It was very interesting to hear of the politics in Egypt and I commend Shannon Barnett in his efforts to bring the delegation to Cowlitz County.

Thank you also to the Cowlitz Young Republicans for sponsoring lunch in Vancouver. What a treat to share a meal with these politically active young people. "

grams wrote on Oct 10, 2008 12:57 PM:

" This is one area in which we really fail our children. Understanding our own U.S. history is important, BUT in order to educate our children as this world shrinks we need to make them aware of international cultural differences and similarities. Heck, we still can't even overcome our own cultural prejudices , religion, or race, and that certainly does not allow us to really understand the cultural differences of other countries. During the Second World War we did not understand that Japanese honor patriotic death, while we honor patriotic life. Had we had a better understanding of that cultural belief perhaps the Divine Wind would not have taken us by surprise. This was a very good experience for our young people. Good for Kalama! "

Kalama Dude wrote on Oct 10, 2008 1:00 PM:

" Yes, great job Mr. Shannon Barnett. Please please please consider using your business acumen, your national and local political experience and your tremendous work with issues like this, bringing this group and the movie and TV production companies to Kalama, giving Kalama the profile and bragging rights that are so long overdue. Use all this great work and run for the Congress or the US Senate. You are wasting yourself selling rocks, put your education, back ground and all this great local, regional and international to our benefit and get yourself elected. Heck your ideas would make this one voter think your possible candidacy would be a slam dunk. Again, Mr. Barnett think beyond the rocks and Kalama School Board and really work to make this country the great thing it once was and could be again. Heck if Keith Huff supports you in all ways, why wouldn't we all? Thank you in advance Sir! "

spete98611 wrote on Oct 10, 2008 4:24 PM:

" This was a great presentation and opportunity given to the children in Kalama. It is important for everyone to experience other cultures first-hand.

The comment made by the student saying, "I kinda feel like America is self-centered" is absurd. If America was so self-centered we wouldn't be the leading nation in providing assistance to countries in need. The way we are and the way we represent ourselves to other countries are completely different. There was a time when this country was viewed as a bunch of cowboys out shooting indians based solely on television programs received in other countries. Our media and entertainment reflect either positively/negatively who we are to other countries. If you don't like it, tough, that's the way it is.

Another thing....Grams...do some research. The Japanese aren't proud of kamikazee pilots. Did you know those pilots were given methamphetamine before leaving the airfield/ship? True. A patriot is a soldier who either lives or dies fighting for his country.

There are bad people in every culture/religion/race. It's disgusting how people, especially caucasians, like to beat themselves down. How many other countries feel guilty for their history by having "appreciation months"? Why do you feel guilty? I have no guilt for other's actions whether it be by an ancestor or a neighbor. Maybe I don't understand "caucasian guilt" because I'm not caucasian. "

Oh My Gosh! wrote on Oct 10, 2008 4:25 PM:

" This leaves me completely amazed. How can this take place??? The only reason it must have been allowed is because of the fact islam is a cult not a religion. In all of my study I have found that islam promotes itself as a peaceful and loving religion, but through that study I have found that it is a guise so that they can assimilate into each country. If Shannon Barnett and the school board allowed a muslim group to speak at the school, then it should be allowed to have other world religions (and cults) and the military to speak to the student body. I know Shannon and his political ambitions, this a mark against you and Im ashamed. I think you should stick to selling rocks and put an end to your political career. How dare you bring this into our school systems! What line are you following in Abrahams lineage in Isaac or Ishmael? Do you go to church to include that in your political resume or for real faith? From this point on, I will never see you the same way. This is very sad indeed. "

Rosey Glasses wrote on Oct 10, 2008 5:17 PM:

" wow... such comments I see. All were up in arms about some kids getting to see His Holiness the Dahli Lama, this is just another advancement of education. Remember one thing, it is important to know others and their intentions. If one believes these Muslems to be bad, then learning about them is knowing your enemy. I have known many of the Muslem Faith, and let me tell you most are peaceful people. Some however take their religion to an extreme and these are the ones that should worry us. Not these few that want to show the world that not all are bad. Muslems and Jewish are cousins, remember that; we are caught in a family fued that has been fueled by centuries of hate of the Jewish by the Muslems. Read the bible and quoran; the beginnings are the same to a point when Sarah gave birth! Then it all split and this is their legacy. "

Crystal wrote on Oct 10, 2008 5:28 PM:

" If Islam is supposedly a cult and guises itself to assimilate into each country, what makes Christianity any different? Christians have missionaries all over the world...to bring it to other countries. Does that make Christianity a cult? Give me a break. In the wise words of Yoda: Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering. Get over yourself. "

toledoone wrote on Oct 10, 2008 9:57 PM:

" I am sorry I do not feel that most Muslims are such nice people. I have been close to supposed nice Muslims and when something happens that is negative to Muslims, I have personally seen vicious hatred. Then they realize that I am there and they become such nice people again. I am sorry I do not trust Muslims. The Jewish are not their only enemy, all non Muslims are infidels and their religion calls for all infidels to be killed.
Has the school board invited other religions to educate the students? I wonder how that would go over? Somehow, I think there would be some serious uprising if a Catholic Priest gave a presentation about how Catholics are misunderstood. "

Oh My Gosh! wrote on Oct 11, 2008 7:19 AM:

" I do agree that we should know our enemies… that is why I have studied the islam religion and read events around the world regarding their involvement. But we do not introduce a group to our impressionable youth. Did you not read the comments made by some of the kids? Yes, Christianity has and does send missionaries into other countries to spread the Good Word, but they do not force it on you. Toledoone has described a typical scenario in how a muslim acts around non-muslims (and how they act when the slip up) and if you are not a muslim you are considered an infidel and you are to be killed. The reason there has not been a world wide massacre, is due to the fact that there are not enough placed in all the right places yet. My other question is what happened to the separation of church and state? Can the Gideons come onto a school campus and give away New Testament Bibles to the children? I think the Barnett has bent the rules to complete his obligation of his trip to Egypt… if so, he has a great start at being a politician… bending the rules is a major asset to our politicians, democrat and republican alike. Remember, Rosey Glasses, this family feud was not fuelled into complete fruition until Mohammed wrote the koran. That is when the “family feud” started its bloodbath history. Open your eyes Crystal and know what you are talking about, you are embracing something you do not understand. "

getright wrote on Oct 12, 2008 8:57 AM:

" This was a political exchange with political figures from a foreign nation, sponsored by the US Dept of State with students in CWP (Contemporary World Problems) class.
The fact that some of you have shown how little you understand the people and the region is exactly why the program exists.
Why dont you ask those in attendance what they thought of the exchange. The purpose of the trip was to broaden the perspectives of the guests as well. "

TOLEDOONE wrote on Oct 12, 2008 10:25 AM:

" So the question from the visitor was about religion. The story says this person asked how many of them had Muslim friends. The story says that Islam was the hot topic of the dicussion. How is that political? Once again, what would be the reaction if there was a political representative from the Vatican? I think there would be many more comments here against such events. I did get it right. I do understand. "

Oh My Gosh! wrote on Oct 12, 2008 2:31 PM:

" To getright. Yes, I understand that it was a completion of Barnett’s trip to Egypt (and supposed to be political). Quid pro quo, you come here and let us come to your country. I suspect that getright is Barnett himself. He’s a true blue GOP (guess our party). Well, if it was political, they should have left religion out of the conversation completely. Here is what Elfiky said above, “Panel members encouraged Kalama students to pay attention to world events and learn about other cultures. Then, perhaps, the misconception linking terrorists as a face to the Muslim faith wouldn’t be a problem in America, they said. “I do believe Islam is the religion of mercy ... and the religion of peace”. The use of “the” pinpoints exactly what they are referring to, islam (in their eyes) is the only religion. I agree that it is good to study other cultures and current events, that is why I am against this whole charade that this group smoothed over our young teens. Once again, where is the separation between church and state. It is apparent our guests do not fall under that law. Toledoone has a very good question, what about their questioning our teens and how many muslim friends they have or interacted with? "

Oh My Gosh! wrote on Oct 12, 2008 4:07 PM:

" I did not complete a thought in my above entry regarding the charade of the muslims speaking. We need to introduce culture to our students in an appropriate and (obviously) more controlled arena. It sounds as if they were allowed to talk about anything. Islam is their religion and our children cannot even bring a Bible to school and are reprimanded if they speak about Jesus. There is something very contradictory about this and it does not sit well. Maybe the ACLU should investigate??? "

student2135 wrote on Oct 13, 2008 3:43 PM:

" "Oh My Gosh!", you are one of the most ignorant people I've ever met. Islam is no more of a cult than any other organized religion. The visitors only brushed on the topic of Islam in a political context, not as a method of conversion. I could name several religions with a mandate to kill besides Islam(Christianity included), but that's completely besides the point.
As a student at Kalama High School, this is one of the most interesting activities I've been a part of in high school. The article is biased and only focused on the topic of religion, which only lasted about 5 minutes. The meeting was purely political, nothing else. "

Go Chinooks!!! wrote on Oct 14, 2008 11:11 AM:

" Part of the problem here is the headline to the article Leila. What was wrong with Egyptian delegates meet Kalama High. you threw the whole Muslum twist on this article when in fact they were not here representing Islam but to promote Understanding foreign governments, politics and cultural differences are the main goals for the organization — once again the real story got kidnapped by the slant and bias of the writer. "

Scot Heisel, TDN wrote on Oct 14, 2008 11:16 AM:

" It's very rare that a reporter will write a headline, and Leila Summers did not write this one. Any criticism of headlines should be directed at TDN editors, not reporters. "

Go Chinooks!!! wrote on Oct 15, 2008 3:32 PM:

" Scot, my apoligies to Leila and you can pass my disapproval on to the appropriate editor. "

toledoone wrote on Oct 15, 2008 8:46 PM:

" I'm not much of a Christian but I don't think that there is any Christian leader calling for the death of non believers and if they were, their followers would condemn them. Who's the uniformed here? "

student2135 wrote on Oct 15, 2008 9:52 PM:

" That's the exact point the delegates had, although it was ignored in the article. The majority of Muslims condemn Islamic radicals. Christian and Islamic holy books call for the death of non-believers, and the majority of both religions obviously skip over that part of scripture. Unfortunately, most Muslims are automatically associated with their radical counterparts. "

Top Jobs
More Top Jobs
Top Garage Sales
More Top Garage Sales
Top Rentals
More Top Rentals