One man kneeled on his jacket in prayer as the coordinators of Tuesday night's lecture, "Moses, a Prophet in Islam?" began by offering food to all present, insisting, "sisters first."
Once the usual introductions were finished, Imam Abdul Malik, chaplain of the New York City Metropolitan Transit Authority, took the podium to discuss the universal need for religious understanding.
The Muslim Students Association organized the lecture as part of Islam Awareness Week.
Malik questioned the audience, asking, "What is a Christian? What is a Jew? What is a Muslim?"
After many attempted to define these terms through their religious beliefs or life experiences, Malik gave his answer by saying there was no single correct response.
"These names: Muslim, Jew, Christian are subject to different interpretations based on one's orientation," he said.
Malik explained that he believed it was misinterpretation which has led to the events of Sept. 11, 2001 and the seemingly daily attacks in Israel.
He underlined the point that anyone who studies the holy texts of Islam, Judaism and Christianity will see that there is no need for hatred and violence between religious groups.
The atmosphere in the Ben Franklin Room of Houston Hall could not have been more receptive to Abdul's insights.
The violence of the Middle East seemed far away as the president of the MSA, Muhammed Mekki, stopped his introduction to smile at Orthodox Jewish Community Co-Chairman Isaac Hakimi and asked how one pronounces Moses in Hebrew.
Mekki said this type of informal dialogue is what the MSA and Islam Awareness Week aspire to accomplish.
The members of MSA see the importance in working with all the religious groups around campus, he said.
"Faith must be put into action," Mekki said.
Many worries and concerns were voiced Tuesday night, yet Malik was hopeful.
"Never curse the darkness," he said. "Just have the faith and the courage to light a candle."
Many of the 60-odd attendees -- who ranged in race, religion and age -- said they shared this belief.
The MSA will be hosting another lecture today entitled, "Finding the Common Ground Between Islam and Christianity," also part of Islam Awareness Week.
