Educating on peace in Middle East

For Said Alghailani, a graduate student studying history, knowing the full story is key.\nThe same is true, he believes, in understanding the situation in the Middle East. As a member of the Muslim Student Association, he is helping organize the "Crisis in the Holy Land and Prospects for Peace" lecture at 7:30 p.m. tonight in Room 251 of the Radio and Television Building.\n"We're hoping students who are concerned with what's going on the Middle East will come. Anybody who is interested in the Middle East will find it enlightening," he said.\nThe presentation by Khalid Turanni, executive director of the American Muslims for Jerusalem, is expected to address the conflict in the Middle East and the importance of Jerusalem to Muslims. American Muslims for Jerusalem is a non profit organization based in Washington. It works to raise awareness of Jerusalem in American society.\nAlghailani said the lecture will address the price Muslims have paid in the peace process and give students a better picture of the situation.\n"The main thing is to educate the community about what's going on," he said. "The speaker is an authority on the subject. We're hoping he will give a balance (to what's happening). What we've seen in the media, including the IDS, is that it's not as objective as it should be. For example, you don't see what's going on with the Palestinians."\n Turanni, a scholar on the situation, will address the nature and history of the conflict from a Muslim perspective.\n "I think the things that are happening in Palestine are historic as well as unfortunate," Turanni said. "I think bringing to light some of the misunderstandings that have taken place of what is the conflict in Palestine.\n"We just need to look at the facts."\n Tonight's lecture is the first major event of the Muslim Student Association. Established 30 years ago, the group aims to reach out to students and residents who profess Islam as their way of life, according to its Web site. Many students come from other countries and want a community, said Vice President Yousef Al-Neaimi. The group also throws parties and dinners to strengthen the bonds between members.\n"We help the community stay in touch with their background in different aspects," he said.\nAl-Neaimi said he wants students to understand the importance of Jerusalem to Muslims. For Jews and Christians, Jerusalem is a holy city because it is where Jesus Christ lived and preached. For Muslims, Al-Neaimi said, the city holds the third holiest mosque in the world, behind Mecca and Medina, and the site where Prophet Muhammad prayed.\n"It's important for all religions," Al-Neaimi said. "Everybody has to get a clear idea of what's happening there right now (and knowing) the cause of it and why it's like that. It went from being very close to peace to violence. \n"All the people has to be aware of this. It's not one religion's place." \nThe lecture is free and open to the public.