Visit at Bringham Young University.

In general, all the students were really interested in the classes. But, some showed an exceptional interest in Islamic culture and countries. It happened that at the end of a class, I mingled with students and talked about subjects of mutual interest for more than one hour!  Other students would also come to my office for specific explanations or advices.  One of my students is enrolling in an Arabic program and is to visit the American University in Cairo and Jordan this summer. She is also to visit me and stay with my family. ..After a few weeks, I think it is possible to look at the experience with a deeper insight. After the Program, nothing is the same again. This valuable Fulbright Program enabled me to grab some aspects of the reality of inter-religious, inter-cultural, and on a broader level inter-civilizational relationships between the United States (as an important part of the West) without "intermediary", having a "direct access" to an academic institution, to its faculty, its students, its people...

Final Public Lecture at UVSC

My temporary colleagues, whom I consider now as friends, were wonderful in their behavior and availability. My temporary students, most of whom have shown a real interest in my classes and lectures, made me feel "useful" by their feedback and get a growing confidence in the goals of this program. In a way, together we entered what the French call the "test of the mirror"; this was an opportunity to listen to their points of view, to their arguments, to try to understand the way they "construct" their views and perceptions about "us". On the opposite side, they were exposed to "our" views, perceptions and arguments. This initiated on both sides a reflection on the objective and subjective conditions of the processes of producing ideas about the "other". The richness of the debate cannot be easily described here. " Nabyl Eddahar, Fulbright Visiting Specialist (Moroccan), Utah Valley State College, Orem, Utah. 

"While teaching a six lecture course on `Science and Islam' I was amazed at the students' ignorance as well as curiosity to know about Islamic history in general and science in particular. Some of them openly admitted in the class that they had never imagined that Islam could have had any meaningful contribution to civilization in history. Form them, science meant Newton, Galileo and Einstein with no role for for the non-West. The transmission of science to Europe through translations from Arabic to Latin during the 12th/13th centuries led to animated discussion in the class. I still receive emails from students saying how useful that brief interaction was and wish it had continued a little longer. .. I also got an opportunity to visit a High School near Oswego where an interactive session was held with over 50 students and teachers. The young students in the school were keen to know about India and probably, according to one of their teachers, most of  them got to talk to an Indian from India for the first time. And this was reflected in their enthusiasm to check me out on innumerable issues from sports, music, women to several political and social questions. Most of them were keen to draw comparisons between India and America. I could see in this exchange a qualitative difference between the students here and India. Our students back home are better exposed to the Euro-American world through their textbooks as well as their exposure to the coverage in daily newspapers and magazines while students here hardly get to read anything about India or the non-West. The teachers present conceded to this lack of exposure and seriously discussed the ways and means to get over this problem. "Irfan Habib, Fulbright Visiting Specialist (India), State University of New York at Oswego, Oswego, NY

Ahmad Haris from Indonesia was hosted at St. Ambrose University

"Teaching undergraduate and graduate students at St. Ambrose University was enlightening to me and to them. They listened very seriously to my lectures and then responded with questions and comments. For some students, it was their first time to hear about Islam and they were eager to learn more... My presentations to other groups and my discussions with other faculty members were enlightening as well, in the sense that all of us learned from one another... In general, the willingness of all participants to learn from one another is the main factor that helped me achieve my grant objective." Ahmad Haris, Fulbright Visiting Specialist (Indonesia), St. Ambrose University, Davenport, IA

"I am leaving Pullman with great joy after a very successful mission. It is certainly a wonderful feeling to know that what I have done has given much satisfaction. This trip will certainly remain one of the most interesting experiences in my life." Abdellatif Akbib, Fulbright Visiting Specialist (Morocco), Washington State University, Pullman, WA

"I am just back from visiting Citadel Military College where I talked to cadets about the concept of Jihad. I am delighted to share with you that interaction was superb and proved to be a an exciting experiment. By all accounts it was among my most pleasant experiences. I feel elated."
"So far my experience has been excellent and I have found people quite receptive and appreciative. They seem to be interested in having a better understanding of Islam and Muslim societies, which is heartening. I am really thankful to Fulbright /CIES for providing me opportunity to bridge the gulf between the two worlds and for removing some of the misunderstandings and misconceptions. I must say the response of audience is quite encouraging and assuring." Saleem Kidwai, Fulbright Visiting Specialist (India), Jamestown Community College, NY

Masykuri Abdillah, Fulbright Visiting Specialist (Indonesia), Worcester State College, Worcester, MA

"I consider my visit to the Worcester State College from April 10 to 30, 2006 as one of my (most) valuable experiences in my life.  This is because I was able to give lecture in classes whose students are native English speakers.  Since three years ago I actually have given lecture in English at special class in our university, but most of the students are Indonesians...In the classes (at Worcester State College), I (was able to receive) some information about students’ understanding and perception on Islam and Muslims as well as Indonesia and Indonesian people. It was a special satisfaction for me to explain these matters as well as to clarify matters misunderstood by many people in the US and other Western countries. Inside and outside the classes I (was able to) understand more deeply about US student’s curiosity and work habit as well as their behaviors and needs for relaxations...Up until now I am involved in developing mutual understanding among the various groups and nations in the world, such as dialogue of civilizations, dialogue between Islam and the West, dialogue among religions, etc (in my home country)...My visit (at Worcester) certainly will help me in explaining the US and Western civilization more properly and deeply." Masykuri Abdillah, Fulbright Visiting Specialist (Indonesia), Worcester State College, Worcester, MA

"The three-week course taught by Professor Mohammed Ezroura (Morocco) was a genuinely good experience, and I would recommend that this course be taught at schools like Vassar to open people's eyes to the realities of the Arab world beyond what the media reflects in thirty-second sound bites. In this anxious time for Arabs and Americans the ideas brought forth in "Stereotyping Arabs" are valuable and sustainable." Jade Keith, Student, Vassar College, Poughkeepsie, NY

"I very much enjoyed Professor Azroura's class, "Stereotyping Aliens: Arabs and Muslims In Western Literature and Media." I know from the response it generated that many students felt the same interest as did I. At this time when our country is engaged in important political actions with Arabic nations providing education about this area is essential to negating stereotypes. I value very highly the sense of equality and open discussion we have at Vassar about issues of xenophobia, and think that bringing courses such as this one to the school are essential to continuing in this liberal tradition. The exposure to new books and films, along with the analysis provided by Dr. Azroura, was interesting and refreshing. I would recommend this course to a friend if it were offered again and wish that more universities offered courses of this nature." Lillian Merriam, Student, Vassar College, Poughkeepsie, NY

"Samir Abuznaid (West Bank) does a masterful job of showing the influence of Muslim culture and Islamic beliefs on their business practices. This truly has been our own, personal "Direct Access to the Muslim World" that might not have happened otherwise. Thank you and your program for giving us this opportunity!" Ms. Bonnie K. Starkey, Manager, Training & Development, Customized & Workplace Training, Portland Community College, Portland, OR

Jayanta Sengupta from India with Utah State University students