This document provides an outline for a course on Islam and the Muslim community in Louisville, Kentucky. It includes 13 weeks of topics that will be covered, such as the history of Muslims in Louisville, experiences of Muslim refugees, portrayals of Muslims in media and society, and the life and teachings of Muhammad Ali. It aims to introduce students to Muslim cultures and communities in Louisville while developing an informed perspective on modern Muslims. Key events discussed include reactions to the Syrian refugee crisis and terrorist attacks in Brussels.

1. Faith
And the Louisville Muslim Community
Practice
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2.  In the last three years alone, 300,000 Muslims immigrated to
the United States. 4
 In fact, the researchers find that Islam is the largest non-
Christian group in 20 American states, mostly in the South and
Midwest: Texas, Arkansas, Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama,
Georgia, Florida, North Carolina Virginia, West Virginia,
Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, Iowa,
Nebraska, South Dakota, North Dakota and Wyoming. 5

3. Most Americans say they do not know much about
the religion of Islam. A majority admits to knowing
very little (30%) or nothing at all (25%) about the
Muslim religion. Just a little more than a third (35%)
know “some” about the religion, and only 9% say
they know a great deal. 6

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5. Americans differentiate between the “Muslim people” and the “Muslim
religion,” and they view Islam more unfavorably than they do Muslims.
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7. COURSE OBJECTIVES
• To introduce students to the history of Islam and the
predominate Muslim cultures and communities of Louisville.
• Students will analyze and evaluate the literature and social
media news perspectives on Muslims.
• Students will develop an informed perspective on the culture of
the modern Muslim in Louisville.

8. Week 1: Introduction
 We will discuss students interpretations of terms used in
discourse of Islam visa Sunni, Shi’a, Muslim, Arab.
 We will analyze and discuss the role of the Qur’an, the
importance of Mecca, and the role Muhammad the
Prophet to Islam.

9. Week 2: The history of Muslims represented in Louisville
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10. “This is why I am joining with other
governors across the country in
opposing the resettlement of Syrian
nationals until we can better
determine the full extent of any
risks to our citizens.” 11
“My primary responsibility as governor
of Kentucky will be to protect the citizens
of the commonwealth,” said Bevin, who
will become Kentucky’s governor on
Dec. 8. 11
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11. "When they see their religion hijacked in the name of extremism, it's
just painful to everybody," (Greg) Fischer said. 12
After the Islamic State claimed
responsibility for Tuesday's
deadly terror attacks in
Brussels, more than two dozen
Louisville Islamic leaders
gathered Tuesday night to
condemn the attacks and urge
the public not to link all
Muslims with terrorism. 12
Week 3 continued
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12. "Anybody coming from one of these countries
that has a radical jihadist movement would not be
able to immigrate, visit or study here," said U.S.
Senator and Presidential candidate Rand Paul. 14
“No religion is responsible for terrorism —
people are responsible for violence and
terrorism,” Obama told a crowd that included
Muslim community leaders at the White House. 16
Week 3 continued
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13. Week 4 - 5: Louisville Islamic Experience I
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14. Week 6: The experiences of a Muslim refugee
 Engaging Islam: Working with Muslim Communities in a Multicultural
Society by Mirjam Shatanawi.
 Religiosity, Discrimination, and Community Engagement: Gendered
Pathways of Muslim Americas Emerging Adults Youth and Society
Selcuck R Sirin Ph.D.
 Women: Crafting a North American Identity by Shahnaz Kahn.

15. Adrienne Eisenmenger of Kentucky Refugee Ministries
Week 7: The experiences of a Muslim refugee II
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16. Week 9-10 : Topics on Muslim Women
 Do Muslim Women Really Need Saving? By Lila Abu Lughod.
 Testimony of a Bosnian: The Ten Lies by Naza Tanovic-Miller.
 Nationalism and Minority Identities in Islamic Societies by Maya
Shatzmiller.
 The Memory of Hands by Reshma Baig:

17. Week 11: Education or Indoctrination?
This week will be spent examining modern
literature based on the attitudes taken on Islam
as a subject to be studied in the classroom. We
will also discuss any transitions taken by
Muslims in public schools as opposed to private
schools.

18. "It is reprehensible that our school system has exhibited this double-
standard, more concerned with teaching the practices of Islam than the
history of Christianity. Tennessee parents have a right to be outraged
and I stand by them in this fight.” 20
“Both are basic tenets of the Islamic religion, and simply learning
them or repeating them doesn't make anyone Muslim,” said Paul
Galloway, executive director of advocacy organization American
Center for Outreach. 20
Week 11 continued

19. Week 12: The Muhammad Ali Experience.
"I believe that our political leaders should use their position to bring
understanding about the religion of Islam and clarify that these misguided
murderers have perverted people's views on what Islam really is,“ 21
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21. 7/20/2016 21
"War is against the teachings of the
Holy Qur'an. I'm not trying to
dodge the draft. We are not
supposed to take part in no wars
unless declared by Allah or The
Messenger. We don't take part in
Christian wars or wars of any
unbelievers." 25
"I ain't got no quarrel with them Viet Cong ...“ 25
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22. Week 13: Muslims and the Media
I think that we should definitely disallow any Muslims from
coming in. Any of them," supporter Charlie Marzka, 75, told
CNN. "The reason is simple: We can't identify what their
attitude is.“ 26
From September 11, 2001, until the end of 2014, 109 Muslim-
Americans plotted against targets in the United States. And
terrorism by Muslim-Americans killed 50 in the same time
period. Contrast that with the deaths from other mass shootings
just last year: 136 -- more than twice as many as all the deaths
from 13 years of Muslim-American terrorism. 26

23. “Finding the appropriate balance between committing to your
faith and trying to make sense of the negative rhetoric and
stereotypes from segments of our own American society. 27
“It’s easy to be bigoted when you’re ignorant, so the easiest way is
education. This isn’t so much a battle of what it means to be a
Muslim in America. It’s a greater battle … about recognizing how
true they want to be to the American values of openness and
freedom for all.” 27
The Huffington Post
Week 13 continued:

24. “Cities that embrace and encourage their international citizens and
cultures will thrive, have a stronger quality of life and will attract
new growth and jobs,” Mayor Greg Fischer said. “World Fest is a
great event for exploring and celebrating Louisville’s many faces and
cultures and we always look to make it more vibrant, diverse and
educational. So, it’s exciting to add many new features and
attractions for the 11th Annual World Fest.” 28

25. One of the ones that really stood out said 'Muslims are people, do not treat
them as anything else,'" Mohsin recalled.
"I felt a sense of security, and it was just really, really nice," Mohsin added.
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