SVSU hosted the annual memorial for Dr. Raana Akbar in collaboration with her husband, Dr. Waheed Akbar, the chair of SVSU Foundation Board.
Akbar and his family have been advocating for religious harmony for several decades in this region. Notably in attendance was university faculty and administrators especially the President of the University, George Grant Jr., and a dear friend of Akbar’s, Dr. David Nichols.
Dr. Fareed Ben-Youssef, an assistant professor in film and media at Texas Tech University, was invited to speak for this year’s lecture. He explores how Hollywood films often depict Muslims as villains, perpetuating negative stereotypes.
Youssef is especially interested in the role of Muslims in Hollywood, especially after the attacks on the US on 9/11 changed the course of the country`s political landscape. Youssef leverages his interest to study the shift in film portrayals post 9/11 and proved the attacks to be a catalyst for demonizing Muslims.
Youssef also spends time seeking and deciphering the religious elements in movies from popular fandoms like Marvel and Dune. He offered insights into racial undertones in movies from different franchises that are directed at Muslims to a curious audience.
There was a short Q&A following the lecture.
Upon questioning one student, Eric Slabbert, a senior at SVSU stated,
“It was mind-blowing, how Dr. Youssef mentioned Bush`s role after the attacks and how he colluded with Hollywood actors and directors to frame Muslims as the enemy”.
President Grant commented.
“More has been done to support SVSU’s efforts to revive and expand community engagement to further the motto of SVSU where color, ethnicity or religion has no place, and everyone comes together as a whole to participate in advancing the university’s goals to welcome everyone”.
Grant continued, encouraging the students to participate in events like this to expose themselves to new cultures and experiences.
Youssef advised students to be weary of formulating assumptions about other people and recommended “challenge those assumptions.”
