A group of Muslim women sought to dispel stereotypes about their religion and culture at a forum in the Memorial Union Monday.

“There are lots of stereotypes,” said Sana Akili, a marketing lecturer from Syria. “We are not oppressed.”

As part of Women’s History Month and International Women’s Week, the forum gave the women a chance to address the issues and challenges they deal with on a daily basis.

The women discussed their experiences and answered questions from the audience of about 15 women. The four women on the panel stressed the gender equality of Islam.

“There is no male and female,” said Marjan Mokhtarian, a graduate student from Iran. “Everything is the same.”

Akili said Muslim women have a greater freedom than American women.

“We have an easier culture than in America,” Akili said. “There is no salary difference.”

Akili also said there is freedom of speech, but with some restrictions.

“We are free to say whatever men say,” she said. “But there are a lot of politics that keep us from speaking our minds.”

The women discussed the expected behavior in Islam.

“There are rules for women in society,” Mokhtarian said. “But there are not limits on being active.”

Beth Sermet, ISU graduate and Ames business woman, said the same rules apply to men.

“The code of behavior is required for men as well as women,” Sermet said. “It is not one-sided.”

One example of strict rules in Islam involves the relations of men and women. “You are not supposed to have undefined relationships with men, especially strangers,” Mokhtarian said.

Nermin Sabry, a graduate student in curriculum and instruction from Egypt and mother of four, said that can be a problem for teenagers but “it is better to limit the relations.”

Mokhtarian said, “We have to respect the rules we are supposed to follow as Muslim women.” Education is one activity Muslim women are encouraged to participate in. “Mohammed emphasized education for women and men,” she said.

Sabry said education is important for anything a woman may choose to pursue.

“A mother cannot raise her children well unless she is well-educated,” Sabry said. “It’s important even if you don’t want high degrees or work.”

Akili also said educating others about Islam is important.

“I rarely meet an American who knows about Islam,” Akili said. “There is not enough knowledge, people are afraid to ask.” Sabry said a major challenge has been helping her children maintain a sense of culture. “I let them live in Western society and learn from it, yet at the same time try not to let them forget their roots,” she said. “I tell my daughter to be proud even if you’re different — don’t be ashamed.”

Sermet offered the perspective of an American Islam convert not raised in Muslim culture. She said she discovered Islam in college, where she met her Turkish husband.

“College is a time of soul-searching and was a time for me to evaluate a lot of things,” Sermet said. “Being introduced to Islam was a part of that. Islam seemed to be a good fit.”

Sabry spoke of the experience of being a Muslim during the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. Although her nationality was not a problem in Ames, she said she was still afraid.

“There was a feeling of fear, of how people will react,” she said.

Sabry commended Ames for being accepting.

“There was no big problem in the community of Ames,” she said.