Students will have the opportunity today to learn about Islam and speak with an American Muslim professor about her experience participating in the Hajj, Muslims' annual five-day pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia.

At 5:30 p.m., The Interfaith Dialogue Student Association will host a public screening of The National Geographic documentary "Inside Mecca" followed by a question-and-answer session with Dr. Fidelma O'Leary in 150 Adams Hall. The film depicts the journey of three Muslims -- one of whom is O'Leary -- who join 2 million Muslims from all over the world in Mecca to perform the Hajj.

"It is a great opportunity. I hope students will benefit from this event," said Nur Uysal, president of IDSA.

Uysal said the group's goal is to promote interfaith discussions, and that the documentary could help some gain a better understanding of Muslims.

"After the documentary, the audience will notice that Islam is a religion based on peace, love and equality," Uysal said.

O'Leary, associate professor of biology at St. Edward's University in Austin, Texas, said the film provides a thorough explanation not only of what pilgrims do, but why they do it.

"It allows the viewer to see the personal struggles of the pilgrims profiled -- what it is like to participate in Hajj," O'Leary said. "'Inside Mecca' does a great job of showing how ordinary, everyday people weave submission to the one God into their everyday existence."

The IDSA was founded in Fall 2005. Uysal said the group plans to host more panels along with other events to promote continuing interfaith discussions.

"We believe that the problems that the world is facing now stem from ignorance. People hate each other because they do not know each other. IDSA grew out of this need that students at OU should have dialogue with others from different faiths, cultures, background," Uysal said. "We cannot simply ignore each other. We should find ways to live in peace."
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