Arabic-L:PEDA:Ramadan Table Responses and Resolution

[Dilworth Parkinson]

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Arabic-L: Sat 23 Aug 2006
Moderator: Dilworth Parkinson <dilworth_parkinson at byu.edu>
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-------------------------Directory------------------------------------

1) Subject:Ramadan Table Response
2) Subject:Ramadan Table Response
3) Subject:Ramadan Table Resolution

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1)
Date: 23 Aug 2006
From:John Joseph Colangelo <yaacolangelo at hotmail.com>
Subject:Ramadan Table Response

Dear Ikram and Hanada,
I think it is a wonderful idea to change the time to dinner and to  
offer typical dishes offered in Ramadán. And the reason is Arabic is  
not just sounds and letters. It is a whole cultural identity and you  
have the right as Muslims to not sit at a table during the daytime as  
you are fasting. I am really surprised at this " dissaproval." I hope  
you can solve this problem.
John

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2)
Date: 23 Aug 2006
From:yhamed at wesleyan.edu
Subject:Ramadan Table Response

Hello Ikram and Hanada--I suggest that you keep your normal 3-times-a- 
week
language table as it is during lunch time--fasting students and faculty
members should join the event and interact as normal--it might be a good
opportunity to talk about Ramadan when students notice that some of the
table members are not eating or drinking something as it used to be.
On the other hand and to convey the cultural and religious values of
Ramadan, I would organize an Arabian Cultural Night once or twice during
Ramadan as a larger language table. My weekly language table will  
continue
to be 12-1 even during Ramadan and we are organizing a big Arabian Night
in Ramadan with focus on Ramadan values, culture and traditions  
including
famous food, deserts and coffee/tea ceremonies during the holy month— 
good
luck and best regards—
Yasir G. Hamed
Visiting Instructor in Arabic
Less Commonly Taught Languages
Fisk Hall, Room 410
www.wesleyan.edu/lctls

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3)
Date: 23 Aug 2006
From: "Masmoudi, Ikram" <imasmoud at middlebury.edu>
Subject:Ramadan Table Resolution

Dear colleagues,
We would like to thank you for your feedback regarding language  
tables in Ramadan. We are happy to announce that a solution has been  
worked out and different options have been provided. Faculty are no  
longer obligated to attend the tables during Ramadan, instead a  
senior student non observing Ramadan will moderate the lunch tables.
We are also encouraged to organize alternative dinner tables during  
the evening for those students who will be observing Ramadan. We hope  
that our solution might inspire those who might be in the same  
situation.

Thank you again,
Ikram Masmoudi and Hanada al-Masri.
Assistant Professors at Middlebury College.

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End of Arabic-L:  23 Aug 2006