Test your religious literacy with this short, 15-question online quiz by Pew Research Center and compare your knowledge with 3,412 randomly sampled adults who were asked these and other questions in Pew's U.S. Religious Knowledge Survey. Read more and take the quiz (Pew Research Center) ...
Islam 101
It can be difficult to find trustworthy information online, especially about Islam. For this reason, one Muslim couple in New Orleans launched a course three years ago to teach the basics of Islam. The "Islam 101" class began as a primer for new Muslims, but is increasingly attracting non-Muslim students interested in getting beyond stereotypical portrayals of Islam and Muslims. According to Jenny Yanez, who started the program with her husband, many people sign up for the course to learn more ...
Illinois College Launches New Interfaith Studies Minor
Illinois College has begun a new minor in Interfaith Studies. According to the school, Interfaith Studies helps students build important life skills, providing students with a crucial background in "religion with knowledge and skills relevant to life and work in a global economy." Illinois College is one of only about a dozen colleges and universities in the US to offer an interfaith studies degree or minor. Read more (Illinois College) ...
Children’s Museum ‘Surprise Blockbuster’: A Show on Islam
During this time of heightened Islamophobia, cultural connections are more important than ever. A new exhibition at the Children's Museum of Manhattan titled "America to Zanzibar: Muslim Cultures Near and Far" showcases the history, art, and traditions of Muslims. The organizers hope that this exhibition will help dispel misconceptions about Muslims and Islam and expose young children to new ideas. According to Andrew S. Ackerman, the museum's executive director, "People really want to dig in ...
This Muslim Marine is Busting Myths about Islam
Mansoor Shams is a former U.S. Marine, who served from 2000 to 2004. Now, he's on a mission to educate people about Islam, traveling around the country with a sign that reads, "I'm a Muslim and a U.S. Marine, Ask Me Anything." According to Shams, his work is not always easy, but he believes one-on-one dialogue with other Americans about his faith is crucial to combating anti-Muslim prejudice, saying, "I sincerely believe that if I influence one person's life that I've made a difference... We all ...
