Sisters to Host Presentations on Islam and Christianity

MILWAUKEE - Jan. 12, 2016 - PRLog -- The terror acts of Islamic State extremists that have raised fears around the world have also caused misunderstanding and distrust of Muslims. This has strained efforts to build peaceful relations between Muslims and Christians.

In the face of these challenges, Janan Najeeb is on a mission to nurture good will. A much-sought-after public speaker, community leader, and ecumenical activist, Ms. Najeeb will present the two-part exploration “Understanding the Islamic Faith:  Commonalities with Christianity and the Role of Women” at the School Sisters of St. Francis’ St. Joseph Center on February 6 and February 27 from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Admission to this event is free.

The center is located at 1501 S. Layton Blvd. (Greenfield Avenue at 27^th Street), Milwaukee. It serves as the international headquarters of the international congregation of Catholic women religious.

Islam means “peace,” and those who claim lives in the name of Allah and Muhammad are acting against the teachings of the Islamic faith, Ms. Najeeb says. As the president of the Milwaukee Muslim Women’s Coalition (MMWC) and founder and director of the Islamic Resource Center, her goal is to help non-Muslims understand this. She is a microbiologist by profession and the mother of five children, but she chose to change careers in order to lecture at Milwaukee area colleges and universities, serving as adjunct professor at Cardinal Stritch University, teaching the Religious Culture of Islam. She has been in great demand for speaking engagements since the terror attacks of 2001.

“There is a tremendous need to bridge the gap between the erroneous perception of Islam and Muslims in society, and the actual beliefs and practices of the overwhelming majority of the world’s Muslims,” Ms. Najeeb says. The organizations that ask her to speak often have a particular interest in the role of women in Muslim society, and that is why she is devoting part of her talks at St. Joseph Center to this topic.

Born in Palestine, Janan came to Milwaukee at age four and has lived here most of her life. After receiving a university education and marrying her husband, a physician, they lived for a time on the East Coast before resettling in Milwaukee. She was named “Leader Making a Difference” by Wisconsin Woman Magazine and has received numerous awards and recognitions from organizations that include the International Institute of Wisconsin’s World Citizen Award, the national award for activism presented by the Council on American Islamic Relations, the ACLU’s Special Recognition Award, and the UW-Milwaukee’s Scholar in Residence Award. She also serves on numerous boards and committees and established the first Milwaukee Muslim Film Festival in 2015.

Admission to participate in these presentations and discussions is free, but seating is limited so please register in advance. To reserve your place, please contact Donna O’Loughlin, the School Sisters of St. Francis’ coordinator of outreach events, at 414-385-5272 or doloughlin@sssf.org.

Convenient free parking for all St. Joseph Center events is located at 29th St. and Orchard, one block south of Greenfield Avenue.

About the School Sisters of St. Francis

The School Sisters of St. Francis are an international community of Catholic sisters who unite with others to build a just and peaceful world. Founded in 1874, they now have sisters, associates, staff, donors and volunteers actively working to address the needs of those who are poor and marginalized by society. Their mission is thriving throughout the United States, Europe, Latin America, India, and Africa. In the U.S., School Sisters live and minister in 15 states, addressing needs in education, holistic wellness and healing, pastoral ministry, spiritual growth, social justice, and the arts. For more information about the School Sisters of St. Francis, please visit www.sssf.org