American Imam discusses Muslim life and religious plurality in USA with Islamic study/research group, CERFI
During the visit of US Embassy’s guest speaker Imam Yaya Hendi’s, he spoke at the mosque of the Circle for Islamic Studies, Research and Training (CERFI) on October 11, 2008 in Ouagadougou. Imam Hendi spoke candidly about his views on Islam with the mixed audience of approximately 40 CERFI members and visitors. He articulated what he felt was a false understanding among Muslims of what the foundations of Islam are versus what Islam is as a faith in practice. During his 45-minute talk Imam Hendi referred often to his experiences as a Muslim and his active participation in interfaith dialogue and programs in the United States. He cited many examples of members of mosques, synagogues, and churches helping each other and interacting in interfaith contexts in the United States. The CERFI audience enjoyed Imam Hendi’s talk as evidenced by the question and answer session which continued out onto the steps of the mosque as he attempted to bid his farewells and continue to his next appointment. One participant summed up the commonly shared sentiment of the audience when he said, “This is amazing. We are actually meeting an American Imam, an American Muslim. We are always thinking Americans are all Protestant, all Christians. This is good for us; thank you for coming.” This event fostered increased understanding by Burkinabe Muslims of Muslim life and the Islam religion in the United States. Based on the lines of questioning and comments of audience members it was clear that Imam Hendi’s talk had been a great opportunity for them to learn more about the realities of religious plurality in the USA.
