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Question
Hello, I'm a collage student and i have to write a paper on diversity. This is the scenario. I'm a business owner and I have hired a muslum to work with me and my employees. I have to write a two page report on how i would tell my employees about this person. Things like we could not have a meeting when its time for he or she to pray. We would have to work around this type of thing. If u could give me information on some more differences between our culture that i could apply to my report I would be gratefull.
Hi Steven, and thanks for your question. Probably the most important tactic that you would want to emphasize in your paper would be to ask the person him/herself what she wants the others to know. Muslims vary in how they practice, just as Christians and other religious adherents vary in their practices and beliefs. You would want to ask about dietary restrictions (most Muslims don't eat pork, a few don't drink caffeine, many don't drink alcohol.) You would want to ask about whether they prayed on the prayer schedule, and if they needed a private area to do so. Also, you would want to know whether he/she observed the gender modesty and may not shake hands with a person of the opposite gender or share close quarters. You would want your employees to know that degrading jokes or comments about Muslims and Arabs would not be toleratecd in the workplace, just as with any other group.
A good book to read on basic Muslim beliefs is called _A Muslim Primer_, it's quick and well-written. Good luck to you!
peace,
Le Anne Clausen
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Answers by Expert:
Le Anne Clausen
Expertise
I can answer questions on Arab culture, including differences in cultures among Arab countries and sub-groups. I can also answer questions on Christian-Muslim relations, interfaith issues in general, and human rights and peacemaking issues in the Middle East.
Experience
I was a human rights worker for four years in the Middle East, and have spent time in Palestine, Israel, Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria, Lebanon, and Jordan. I speak intermediate Arabic; some Hebrew; and am starting Persian (Farsi, Dari). I have led a half-dozen educational delegations to the area for North American groups; and I have led trainings for nearly a thousand international human rights volunteers coming into the area over my years there. I am now working to launch an interfaith peace-teams based human rights organization, hopefully in the next two years. I am also currently editing the manuscript for my first book, a firsthand account of my time in the Middle East
Publications
"Be the Healers," (next steps after Abu Ghraib) The Lutheran magazine, July 2004.
www.christian-muslim.net
www.seminaryaction.org
www.young-activist.blogspot.com
Multiple press releases which I wrote from the field, as well as media interviews/articles about my work are also available via Google search.
Education/Credentials
I have an MA in Christian-Muslim relations; and I am now continuing my studies at Chicago Theological Seminary (www.ctschicago.edu). I also have a BA in Religion concentrating in global service, from Wartburg College, (www.wartburg.edu).
Awards and Honors
I received the Dell Award for Peace and Justice from Wartburg College. I have spoken and led workshops and trainings at over one hundred church congregations, colleges, schools, organizations
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