Although dispelling stereotypes among a large population is not child’s play, some Islamic students on campus say the solution could be as simple as ridding a common childhood fear.

Just as one takes a peek in their closet to find that there are no monsters lurking in the shadows waiting to jump out, if one takes a peek at the Quran, they’ll find Islam does not promote violence, said Omar Manci, sophomore in agricultural engineering and president of the ISU Muslim Student Association.

“Fear and ignorance are behind the negative stereotypes of Muslims in the media. If you fear something and don’t know anything about it, it’s a negative combination — like seeing monsters in your closet,” Manci said.

The point, Manci said, is that one can set aside their fears and stereotypes by educating themselves.

“I was in high school in Nevada [Iowa] when Sept. 11 happened,” he said. “My teacher turned around and said to me, ‘Omar, you know they’re saying the people who did this were Palestinian.'”

Although Muslims in Iowa and around the country have confronted mounting misconceptions of their beliefs in the wake of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, Manci said the climate around Iowa State is more receptive and open.

“It’s a college campus, so people — intellectuals — are accepting and ready to listen. People want to know and are looking for understanding,” Manci said.

Stephen Aigner, associate professor of sociology, said he agreed, adding that people of central Iowa, specifically, are “extremely receptive, open and respectful.

Aigner is a Muslim who converted from Christianity 31 years ago and presents lectures on Islamic beliefs and theology.

He and Manci said the key to creating tolerance and understanding of Muslim beliefs in the United States is through the encouragement of a questioning attitude among U.S. citizens — like those held by professors and students on campus.

Manci and others emphasized this message during the fifth-annual Iowa Conference on Islam.

The three-day conference, held Friday through Sunday at Iowa State, brought together students, Ames residents and members of the Muslim community for workshops and readings on the Quran.

The conference was sponsored partly by the ISU Muslim Student Association and the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs.

Ames Mayor Ted Tedesco was among those in attendance and addressed the group, thanking them for their efforts to educate and correct others on misconceptions about Islam. Tedesco also encouraged understanding and tolerance in Ames.

“People refer to the world as a global economy or global community, not as a global family,” Tedesco said.

Conference participants echoed Tedesco’s hopes for increased awareness on campus and throughout the city.

Among the stereotypes discussed were that of Islam’s stances on Christianity and women’s roles in Muslim society.

“Islam never refers to Christians as infidels,” said Mohammed Fahmy, professor of industrial technology at the University of Northern Iowa, who presented sessions on Islam and marriage during the conference.

Fahmy said although he thought a woman leading a prayer service Friday was “unprecedented” and “crossed the line,” Islam does not say that women should be submissive or inferior.

Manci said he hopes ISU students remain interested in Islam and continue to be critical of stereotypes.