By Sherouq Sadeqi
(with photos) WASHINGTON, April 19 (KUNA) -- Kuwaits Ambassador to the US Sheikh Salem Abdullah Al-Jaber Al-Sabah hosted a reception at the Kuwait Embassy for the Alumni of Duke University on behalf of the Duke Islamic Studies Center (DISC), an event that reflects importance the Embassy places on such centers in prestigious American universities.
In his opening remarks before the guests, the Ambassador offered condolences on behalf of the Kuwaiti Government and people to the American nation on the Boston explosions.
The Ambassador remarked "today we stand with you" against this "senseless" and "heinous" crime. "We stand with you against this act and stand with the families that have lost loved ones." Meanwhile, the Ambassador shed light on the DISC and achievements it has accomplishment since it was founded in 2006, congratulating staff on the work they have done in such a short time and becoming an Islamic culture program.
"What is important is that this is not just an Islamic studies program or an Arabic language studies program; this is an Islamic cultural program; it is Islamic life on campus," he said.
Sheikh Salem continued saying "there is a lack of understanding and places like this provide that understanding and provide a venue for spreading education and information about a different culture, different language and different way of life." He added "people then come to realize that we are all basically the same with the same principals and objectives." He expressed his happiness to be associated "with Duke as a whole and in particular with DISC," pledging to continue this annual event, which was first held in the 2012.
For his part, Director of DISC Gilbert Merkx told KUNA in an exclusive interview that the mission of the Center is "to increase understanding between Islam and the West." He added that one way to accomplish this is through art, "which is not only a way for westerners to learn about Islam but also a way for Muslims to celebrate their own heritage." He indicated that the Center is planning a whole series of events around a major show that will open in August and will run until January, known as the "Islamic Art Initiative" "to expand the understanding of what Islamic art means." "We will have a series of workshops, films, classes and public events which will involve providing a meeting ground for Muslims and non-Muslims in North Carolina," where the University is located.
In his remarks at the reception, Merkx thanked the Ambassador for hosting this event that has become special for Duke.
He then shed light on DISC, saying since it was established; the Center has now become "the largest Islamic studies program in the US." He added that Duke University is the "second American university to recruit a Muslim chaplain" and that it remains "the only American university with a center of Muslim life." He noted that the latest development in the Center's efforts "to innovate and make Islamic studies part of the broader Duke character is the Islamic Art Initiative." Meanwhile, the Muslim chaplain at Duke University Abdullah Antepli said in his remarks that "there is no better way than to invite people to engage with Islam as a religion and Muslims as people other than using the language of art, " in indication of the Islamic Art Initiative. He added that for the non-Muslims community, "this is considered a rich engagement for what they hear about Islam as a religion and a wonderful opportunity to elevate the quality of the conversation about Islam and Muslims.
" DISC is one of the leading institutions in North America for the study of Islam and Muslims. Its comparative, cross-cultural approach to Islamic studies aims at fostering fresh interpretations of Islam and encouraging creative solutions to the economic, political and social challenges involving Muslims. (end) si.rk KUNA 190913 Apr 13NNNN