At Cornell Banquet, Campus Mulls Place of Muslims in U.S.
At the first All Cornellian Muslims Banquet, administrators, faculty and student leaders sought to dismiss misconceptions about Muslim-Americans that they said are prevalent in modern society.
More than 90 people flocked to the atrium of Duffield Hall for the event, which was hosted by the Committee for the Advancement of Muslim Culture.
The name of the event is based on the title of the television show All-American Muslim. Adam Abboud '14, co-vice president of CAMC, said the program shows Muslim-American families who act the same as other American families.
The evening began with a presentation that outlined basic facts about Islam, followed by a video that showcased the individual personalities of various Muslim Cornell students. Attendees then split into 12 groups, each with a faculty member and a CAMC student, for more intimate discussion.
While discussion topics varied from table to table, they all shared a common theme: the relationship between Muslim culture and religion.
Abboud said the banquet's attendees should spread its message.
Rahman said she wanted a diverse group of people to attend the banquet, so CAMC invited members of several different campus organizations.
Rahman said she first thought of hosting a banquet last semester after an encounter with a professor.
Noah Karr Kaitlin '13, president of the Cornell International Affairs Review, attended the banquet.
Kaitlin said he was impressed by the event.
Founded in fall 2010, CAMC was awarded the James A. Perkins Prize for Interracial Understanding and Harmony in March 2011 for making the most significant contribution to interracial harmony on campus.