Mohey Mowafy, professor in the Health, Physical Education and Recreation department, will address the topic of Islam in his Skill Builder, “Islam and the World – Perpetual Conflict or Enlightened Reconciliation.”

The Skill Builder will be a two-part lecture, starting at 7 p.m. on both October 10 and 17.

The program covers, in part, a call by Mowafy for reform of the Islamic religion.

“These are the dark days of Islam where religion justifies murder and rape,” he said.

However, he adds, there are also good Muslims who are risking themselves in the effort for religious change.

Over the 32 years that Mowafy has taught at NMU, he has led several Skill Builders, the focus mainly being human nutrition. But for the second year in a row, he will be concentrating on Islam.

Mowafy said he doesn’t claim any formal knowledge on the topic, but draws from experience based upon a personal and literary connection. He said that while his views may not be the correct ones, and certainly not the only ones, he hopes to help people see things from another perspective.

He added that there are many who know only a sliver of what Islam is about, and he said he hopes to enlighten through his lecture.

Mowafy said universities are one of the best settings for discussion.

“They are one of the very few bastions of honest debate left,” he said. “If not on a university campus, where else?” he asked.

The Skill Builder will be held in the Back Room of the University Center. There is no cost to attend the Skill Builder. Those interested in attending may call 227-1771 or e-mail [email protected] to register.