Muslims are the second largest religious group in the United States. Internationally, Islam’s believers have had a profound impact on this country, yet most Americans know very little about Islam. For that reason, Alaska Pacific University began a Community Education Program focusing on Islam and Muslims.

The Cardinal Newman Chair of Catholic Theology at Alaska Pacific University received an exceptional donation to fund a public education program for the Anchorage community.  After wide ranging consultations, a steering committee determined the endowment should provide the opportunity to learn in depth about Islam. It is our explicit intent that the overall program be a model of community education deserving of national recognition and duplication.

The program is a nine month effort stemming from the three Anchorage universities (Alaska Pacific University, University of Alaska Anchorage, and Wayland Baptist University) and traveling to diverse venues potentially ranging from local theater screens, special library collections, public television and radio programming, and classroom discussions. It will run from August 2007 to approximately April 2008.  During Fall 2007 project collaborators will undertake lead-up events to prepare audiences for the main events: a lecture series from February to March 2008.