More than 70 Ames High School students gathered Thursday in their multipurpose room to hear one of two back-to-back informational sessions on Islam.

The session is part of a three-day conference on the Muslim faith at the high school, which is sponsored by the Iowa Muslim Student Association, Hy-Vee and the Masjid Darul Arqum Islamic Center of Ames, 1212 Iowa Ave.

Organizers said the aim of the conference is to educate high school students about the religion and clear up misconceptions and stereotypes students may have about Islam.

“Especially after the [Sept. 11] attacks, people related Islam to terrorism and violence,” said Karam Salih, a sophomore at Ames High and a speaker at the conference.

The room was adorned with posters that answered questions such as, “What is the Quran?”, “What does Islam say about war?” and “Why is Islam often misunderstood?”

Two lectures were presented during the first session: one on the prophet Muhammad and one on Jesus in the Quran.

Qutaibah Abbasi, a sophomore at Ames High, addressed the audience before the first talk to ask the students to let the speakers know if at any point they felt uncomfortable, and said the conference was “organized to inform, not to indoctrinate.”

The first address was given by Yassir Obeid, a junior at Ames High. He related stories written by Muhammad’s companions about his high ethical character, especially his compassion, patience and kindness. The second address was given by Salih and outlined the description of Jesus according to the Quran.

“Muslims believe Jesus was sent by God, but not that he was the son of God,” Salih said.

Abbasi, who was the primary organizer of the conference, said he had the idea for the conference in January and planned to do it earlier, but decided to postpone the conference until now because of the start of the war in Iraq.

While Abbasi and Salih said they didn’t think the war in Iraq would have an effect on most Muslims in America, Abbasi said prayer at the mosque has taken on an added element.

“When our Muslim brothers and sisters are in calamity, we supplicate to God and ask forgiveness from God,” Abbasi said.

Ahad Mujeeb, freshman in industrial technology and Muslim Student Association member, said Ames is a good community where Muslims feel comfortable.

“Freedom of religion and expression is a big key to Muslims being comfortable in the way we live. I have faith in America,” he said.

Both Abbasi and Salih said they want to see Saddam removed, but not the loss of civilian life. Salih, who is from Iraq, said a report of 400 civilians being killed angered him, but he still wants to see Saddam removed.

“I just want Saddam out — he’s the one hurting the civilians more than a war is,” he said.

Abbasi said he agreed. “In some ways I agree with Bush; I’m for the war.”

Mujeeb, who graduated from Ames High School last year, said the textbooks used when he was a student weren’t accurate in their representation of Islam and there have recently been more Muslim students who want to educate fellow students about the faith.

“I don’t know if I set the foundation, but it’s good to see it’s growing,” he said.

Abbasi said some of the signs for the conference were torn down, but for the most part, reactions have been positive. Abbasi said he may try to organize another conference before the year is over to cover topics such as the tolerance of other religions, death and the afterlife and the spread of Islam in history.