2008 Woodie Awards
Video related to this article is available below.Issue date: 10/22/07 Section: News
After name conflict, groups begin events
College Republicans, MSA reach agreement on awareness weeks
Jody Pollock
It's no coincidence that Islam Awareness Week and Islamo-Fascism Awareness Week begin today at many campuses nationwide.
It's also no coincidence that there will be no fliers bearing the word "Islamo-Fascism" floating down Locust Walk.
After much debate with student leaders, College Republicans nixed plans to sponsor Islamo-Fascism Week this week and is instead sponsoring Terrorism Awareness Week, a series of events funded by the same right-wing think tank that is sponsoring Islamo-Fascism Week across the country.
The College Republicans were pressured into renaming the week out of respect for the MSA's objections after a meeting with Penn's Muslim Students' Association-National chapter three weeks ago.
Penn's chapter of the MSA is sponsoring Islam Awareness Week this week, a yearly event that occurs at colleges typically a week or two after Ramadan -the slated time for Islamo-Fascism Week.
"They came to understand that the term Islamo-fascism was very narrow-minded, wasn't respectful and wasn't conducive to the open dialogue environment that Penn strives to foster," MSA chairman Samir Malik said.
As part of the groups' compromise, the MSA wrote a statement condemning violence in the name of Islam to be distributed as part of Terrorism Awareness Week.
"We just wanted to make sure we get the message across to students, because that's the most important thing. … That's all we really want to do is create a discussion," said College senior Abby Huntsman, chairwoman of the College Republicans.
Most of the events sponsored by the College Republicans actually have less to do with Islam than with terrorism, and so the name change was only appropriate, said Malik, a College and Wharton senior.
Initially, representatives from Programs in Religion, Interfaith and Spirituality Matters approached an Undergraduate Assembly steering meeting with concerns about the "misnomer," said PRISM chairman and College senior Jonathan Weiner.
It's also no coincidence that there will be no fliers bearing the word "Islamo-Fascism" floating down Locust Walk.
After much debate with student leaders, College Republicans nixed plans to sponsor Islamo-Fascism Week this week and is instead sponsoring Terrorism Awareness Week, a series of events funded by the same right-wing think tank that is sponsoring Islamo-Fascism Week across the country.
The College Republicans were pressured into renaming the week out of respect for the MSA's objections after a meeting with Penn's Muslim Students' Association-National chapter three weeks ago.
Penn's chapter of the MSA is sponsoring Islam Awareness Week this week, a yearly event that occurs at colleges typically a week or two after Ramadan -the slated time for Islamo-Fascism Week.
"They came to understand that the term Islamo-fascism was very narrow-minded, wasn't respectful and wasn't conducive to the open dialogue environment that Penn strives to foster," MSA chairman Samir Malik said.
As part of the groups' compromise, the MSA wrote a statement condemning violence in the name of Islam to be distributed as part of Terrorism Awareness Week.
"We just wanted to make sure we get the message across to students, because that's the most important thing. … That's all we really want to do is create a discussion," said College senior Abby Huntsman, chairwoman of the College Republicans.
Most of the events sponsored by the College Republicans actually have less to do with Islam than with terrorism, and so the name change was only appropriate, said Malik, a College and Wharton senior.
Initially, representatives from Programs in Religion, Interfaith and Spirituality Matters approached an Undergraduate Assembly steering meeting with concerns about the "misnomer," said PRISM chairman and College senior Jonathan Weiner.
Viewing Comments 1 - 7 of 9
MSA Dossier
posted 10/22/07 @ 10:34 AM EST
So, the students met with MSA fascists and agreed not to identify their fascism. Have they also agreed to cover up MSA funding of Hamas terrorism?
As fund raisers for Hamas, the MSA remain unindicted co-cospirators in the Holy Land Foundation trial. (Continued…)
JM
posted 10/22/07 @ 12:40 PM EST
Horowitz Exposed
www.yousefmunayyer.blogspot.com
Real Issue
posted 10/22/07 @ 1:24 PM EST
Though the College Republicans agreed to change the name, I'm sure the messages relayed by Monday's panel and Rick Santorum on Wednesday will be right on target. (Continued…)
Penn 08
posted 10/22/07 @ 3:09 PM EST
everyone needs to google "santorum" right now. be sure to click the first link.
never stops bein' funny.
Free Speech
posted 10/22/07 @ 3:59 PM EST
No Islamofascism? Then how about we take the "White" out of White Supremacy?
Seriously, someone needs to stand up to the liberal censorship masquerading as ridiculous political correctness. (Continued…)
Free Speech
posted 10/22/07 @ 4:11 PM EST
PS. In no way do I condone either white supremacy or terrorism, and in fact consider both heinous evils that need to be addressed. Nevertheless, I feel that the renaming analogy stands, though no offense is meant. (Continued…)
Undergrad
posted 10/22/07 @ 6:46 PM EST
Us conservatives usually pride ourselves on standing up to censorship in the name of political correctness (a.k.a. not telling the truth to avoid hurting people's feelings). (Continued…)
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