News

Inclement weather delays IAW speakers

By Jessica Brown
The Daily Cougar

Organizers for the Islamic Awareness Week were disappointed to learn that the two speakers they planned on having in town Monday were delayed by severe weather conditions in the northeast United States that caused flight cancellations in both New York City and Washington, D.C. The dayis lectures were canceled and rescheduled; the speakers should be in today.

Sulayman Nyang was to lecture on "African Contributions to the Building of the Islamic Empire," and Imam Siraj Wahhaj

was to address "African Personalities in Islamic History."

The speeches were scheduled from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the University Center Underground in the World Affairs Lounge to kick off Islamic Awareness Week.

Mondayis roster of speakers also originally included Hakeem Olajuwon, who was expected to speak on his own personal experiences as an African American Muslim, but conflicting schedules due to an overseas vacation prevented Olajuwon from attending.

However, MSA leaders said Sunday that Olajuwon should be in town for a Thursday dinner banquet, and that future involvement with the famous ex-Houston Rocket is a possibility.

Spokespersons for Islamic Awareness Week said they were hopeful that the speeches would be rescheduled for Tuesday and perhaps for the banquet, which will be held Thursday evening in the UC Houston Room. Free authentic Arabian food will be offered at the dinner presentation.

Despite the absence of Mondayis speakers, the program was not brought to a standstill. Expectant UH students who attended the event were met by rueful MSA members and furnished them with authentic Arabic food, books and pamphlets about the beliefs of Islamic culture. Coordinators for IAW affirmed that the remaining of the outlined events to commemorate Islamic Awareness Week would proceed without incident.

Today, the MSA is offering an art show titled "Islamis Journey Through Africa," in the UC Arbor from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The week concludes with Jumaah prayers conducted in the Oberholtzer Ballroom on Friday from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.

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