Religion Student Visit Mosque, Plan Interfaith Dialogue On Sept. 4, students from Prof. Mary Jane Maxwell’s Islamic World and World Religions classes visited the Al-Fatemah Islamic Center in Albany to learn about Islam from the local Muslim community. The group observed an inspirational prayer service followed by an Indian meal of lamb, chickpeas, and rice as the Al-Fatemah congregation broke their day long Ramadan fast. Following the banquet, the mosque provided GMC students with an educational program on “What is Islam and What do Muslims Believe?” The students asked the Imam about Islamic faith and culture, and the entire congregation answered questions. Students later remarked that they were most impressed by the mosque’s openness, warmth, generosity, hospitality, and especially their overall message of peace. The experience offered students a new perspective on the day-to-day lives of Muslims and their beliefs as the evening’s dialogue accentuated tolerance, mutual understanding, and respect among Muslims and non-Muslims – values not always depicted in the media. This is the second year that GMC students have traveled to Al-Fatemah and the newfound friendship has resulted in an exchange of speakers between the Albany Muslim community and GMC. Last year several speakers from Al-Fatemah mosque visited GMC classrooms, and this year, the Muslim Student Association of the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, N.Y. is making arrangements with GMC’s Intercultural Center for an event in October. On September 11 the World Religions class traveled to the Rutland Jewish Center to observe Friday night prayers, and in October the students will again travel to Albany to witness a puja (Hindu ritual) to the goddess Lakshmi at the Albany Hindu Temple. On October 29 at 1 p.m., the class will host an interfaith dialogue among the three Abrahamic faiths – Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Rabbi Doug Weber (Rutland Jewish Center), Imam Jafaar Sabkhouie (Masjid Al-Hidaya in Troy, N.Y.), and Father William Davidson (St. Paul’s Episcopal in Wells) will discuss the common ideal of “hospitality” in their faiths. The dialogue is open to the public. Front Page		Men's Soccer Tuesday, 9/15 vs. Southern Vermont College 4 p.m. Saturday, 9/19 vs. Johnson State College 1 p.m. Women's Soccer Wednesday, 9/16 at New England College, 4 p.m. Saturday, 9/19 vs. Johnson State College 3 p.m. Women's Volleyball Tuesday, 9/15 at Norwich University, 7 p.m. Thursday, 9/17 vs. Word of Life Institute. 5 p.m. Saturday, 9/19 at Husson College, time TBA Cross-Country Saturday, 9/19 at Bard College, 12 p.m. Golf Saturday, 9/19 at Beaver Meadow Golf Club, 12 p.m. More on GMC Athletics WEEK AT A GLANCE MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 14 African Dance 5 - 6 p.m., Bogue Movement Studio Belly Dancing 6 - 7 p.m., Bogue Movement Studio Community Swim 6 - 8 p.m., Waldron Pool Kayak Pool Session 8 - 9:30 p.m., Waldron Pool TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 15 Fitness Swim 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., Waldron Pool Tai Chi 5:15 - 6 p.m., Bogue Movement Studio Community Swim 6 - 8 p.m., Waldron Pool Meditation 6 - 6:30 p.m., Ackley Chapel WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16 Massage Therapy & Reflexology 11 a.m. - 8 p.m., Wellness Center Fitness Swim 11 a.m. - 1 p.m., Waldron Pool Meet the Wellness Center Staff 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., Withey Lobby Yoga 1 - 2:30 p.m., Bogue Movement Studio Academic Skills Workshop: Note Taking 3 p.m., Special Collections Reading Room, Griswold Library GreenMAP: Road Bike Ride Meet at 5 p.m. in Brennan Circle Community Swim 6 - 8 p.m., Waldron Pool Shakti Tribal Belly Dance (advanced) 6:30 - 7:30 p.m., Bogue Movement Studio Tribal Dance (beginners) 7:30 - 8:30 p.m., Bogue Movement Studio Meditation 8:30 - 9 p.m., Bogue Movement Studio THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 17 Fitness Swim 7:30 - 9 a.m., Waldron Pool Academic Skills Workshop: Reading 10 a.m., Special Collections Reading Room, Griswold Library Yoga 12:15 - 1 p.m., Bogue Movement Studio Massage Therapy & Reflexology 1:30 p.m. - 8 p.m. Wellness Center Wellness Center Open House 3 - 5:30 p.m, Wellness Center, 38 College St. Community Swim 6 - 8 p.m., Waldron Pool Paper Girl 9 p.m., The Gorge FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18 Bruce Piasecki 10:45 a.m., The Gorge Fitness Swim 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., Waldron Pool Meditation 2:15 - 2:45 p.m., Ackley Chapel Community Swim 6 - 8 p.m., Waldron Pool SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 19 Laser Tag 12:30 - 4:30 p.m., Moses Lawn Yoga 1 - 2 p.m., Bogue Movement Studio If you have news, announcements, or events to publicize in the GMC Journal, please e-mail materials to gmcjournal@greenmtn.edu or send through campus mail to the Communications Office, Richardson House. All materials subject to editorial approval by the College Communications Office.