The Jefferson City Muslim Community will host an open house 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at its Islamic center, 5124 Moreau Ridge Road.
"It has been a few years since we have had an open house," said Noaman Kayani, community president. "What prompted us is the emergence of ISIS in the middle east. It has brought a bad name to our religion.
"We were fortunate to have Prof. Rihab (Sawah) taking this task of clarifying the Islamic view of this group."
Sawah, a St. Louis physics professor and radio personality, has spoken about her culture in Jefferson City before, most recently in August at a Capital Area Interfaith Alliance program.
At 2:30 p.m., Sawah will discuss "Islam vs. Islamic State."
Recent world events often put the terms "ISIS" and "Islam" in one context, Sawah said.
"They may wonder if this is a true representation of Islam," she said. By sharing her personal accounts, Sawah said she hopes "to help them sort things out."
Sawah was born in St. Louis to Syrian parents, who moved back to their homeland when she was 3 years old. She teaches physics at St. Louis Community College-Florissant Valley and also serves as the college's global education coordinator. Also, she teaches a course on Islam at Eden Theological Seminary.
At 10:45 a.m., Sawah will discuss "Islamic Sciences."
"Islamic civilization was an important link in the cultural and scientific history of the western old world," Sawah said.
From the ninth century and until the end of the 15th, Islamic civilization led in the study of science, technology and medicine, she said.
The transfer of Islamic-Arabic science to the west, through Al-Andalus, or Islamic Moorish Spain, paved the way to the Renaissance and the scientific revolution in Europe, Sawah said.
"Thus, the Islamic civilization had major contributions to the heritage of the West and to mankind."
The open house will begin at 10 a.m. with a welcome from the local community, followed by a look at "Ethics in Islam" by Abdel-Maula Haboub at 10:15 a.m.
Midday Prayers, called Duhr, will begin at noon, followed by lunch and discussion.
Uzma Khan will address "Challenges of providing an Islamic education in the U.S." at 1:30 p.m., followed by mosque tours at 2 p.m.
The open house will close following afternoon prayers at 3:45 p.m.
Visitors will be able to tour the facility, witness prayers, taste authentic foods and listen to presentations followed by question-and-answer sessions.
"Muslims are an integral part and parcel of the makeup of Jefferson City," Kayani said. "We hold this event to give our community an opportunity to introduce Islam and Muslims in general and clarify myths surrounding the portrayal of Islam through Islamic State (ISIS)."
Call 573-632-4201 or email to [email protected] for more information.