Muslim College Opens in US With Hopes and Suspicions
04 August 2010
Souhad Zendah leads students through an Arabic lesson at Zaytuna College in Berkeley, California
This is the VOA Special English Education Report.
Zaytuna College is a new four-year college in Berkeley, California. Zaytuna is seeking to become the first accredited Muslim college in the United States. The name comes from the Arabic word for olives.
The process of full accreditation could take several years. That will make it easier for students to get financial aid, and to have their education recognized by employers and other schools.
Zaytuna held its first classes this summer -- intensive study of Arabic to prepare for classes in the fall. Men and women sat on opposite sides of the auditorium. Most of the men had beards and wore skull caps. Most of the women covered their hair with scarves.
Zaytuna currently offers two majors, a choice of Islamic law and religion or Arabic language. General education classes include American history, anthropology, philosophy, literature and political science.
Imam Zaid Shakir is a professor and co-founder of Zaytuna. He was born in Berkeley. The college website says he accepted Islam in nineteen seventy-seven while serving in the United States Air Force.
Imam Shakir says he wants teachers who are trained and educated in the United States and who understand American society.
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