Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (Nov. 6, 1981)
Event sparks hostility Arab, Moslem student groups clash By MARK CRAEMER 04 Ota Emaratd Although foreign students at the University come from a large number of countries with many differences, there is little visible friction between them, says Tom Mills, director of the University office of international studies Except for disagreements on the Khomeini regime in Iran The groups (Moslem organizations) are trying to get campus and newspaper support," Mills says, explaining that political differences among foreign students from the Middle East are evident A fight between members of the Organization of Arab Students and the Moslem Student Association in the EMU lobby Oct 9 was an uncommon occurrence, but represents a larger controversy between groups According to Khader Hamide, a member of the OAS. the incident occurred at a table where information about the Arabic world was being distributed Two members of the MSA approached the table, insulted him, and began throwing literature from the table, he says When he asked them to leave the area if they could not discuss their differences with "cool heads," three MSA members began hitting him and a fellow OAS member, Hamide says Ahmed Altwaijri, a spokesman for fhe MSA will identify only one of the three aggressors as a Eugene MSA member The man, Jamal Naas, has been unavailable for comment, but according to Altwaijri, was acting coordinator of the MSA before the appointment of a president last week Hamide says MSA members are religious fanatics who are unwilling to discuss different opinions in a logical manner "As a spokesman, I would be more than willing to sit down with anyone who wants to discuss the issues,” Altwaijri says in response to Hamide’s charge The MSA, funded by the Incidental Fee Committee, operates independently of the Foreign Student Organization The purpose of the organization is to give Americans "correct ideas" about Islam, newly appointed MSA president Abdulaziz Harthi says "Islam is a way of life. There is no distinction between church and state," Harthi says "If it (a fight) happens with one or two members, it is not representative of the whole group, he says The people who were in the fight may or may not have been MSA members, Harthi adds However, some MSA members who do commit violent acts do not identify themselves as part of that group in order to Reagan policy spurs coalition Protesting what they call the Reagan administration's pro business and anti-labor bent, the Coalition for Social Justice plans a march and rally Saturday to promote funding for human needs, not war " We plan to show people that Reagan s policies are actually hurting a majority of Americans Big business is getting all the breaks the rest of us get layoffs and cutbacks That has to change, says Charlie Aker a coalition organizer Human rights strengthening social programs and redirecting the military budget will be among the topics addressed by rally speakers Irv Fletcher, Oregon AFL-CIO president, Ron Herndon. Portland s Black Unit ed Front president State Rep Margie Hendriksen, D-Eugene and Stella Nowicki, a labor organizer since the 1930s Marchers will meet at 11 a m at 12th Avenue and Hilyard Street or at 11 30 a m at Seventh Avenue and Oak Street The rally is slated for 12:30 pm when the marchers arrive at Second Avenue and Jefferson Street, under the freeway overpass Coalition organizers Merle Carl and Sharon Claeyssens say sponsors are optimistic about turnout for the march and rally, expecting at least 3,000 people to participate Sponsors include at least 35 local and state organizations The University chapter of the American Federation of Teachers. Clergy and Laity Concerned, Lane County Democratic Party, Eugene Council for Human Rights in Latin America, and the Oregon Women's Political Caucus are a few of the groups sponsoring or endorsing the coalition's goals - Business leader visits college Monford Orloff, chairman of the board and president of Evans Products Co will be the executive-m-residence Nov 10-12 at the University College of Business Administration The executive-in-residence program, now in its fourth year, brings important business leaders to the University twice each term to provide students with an opportunity to learn about business operations from the inside During his visit, Orloff — the second executive-in-residence for fall term — will participate in business and law school courses and speak on mergers and acquisitions at 7 p m Wednesday in Room 338, Gilbert Hall He will also meet with business faculty members, students and University officials A resident of Portland, Orloff graduated from Stanford University in 1937 He also has a degree from Harvard Law School Orloff has also held directorships in various businesses and organizations Among these are the University Health Sciences Center (now the Oregon Health Sciences University) and Pacwest Bancorp In addition, he has been a board member of the Oregon Graduate Center, president and trustee of the Oregon Community Foundation, and vice-chairman of Reed College Board of Trustees Orloff has also served as a trustee of the Portland Art Association and director of the Oregon Symphony Society Effective Nov 7th UO Bookstore changes Saturday hours The U of O Bookstore will now be open 10 00 am-3:00 pm on Saturdays, effective tomorrow, Nov 7th foim Imports from India STORE WIDE SALE! Dresses reg $49 NOW $30 Skirts 25% to 65% OFF A-Smile Pants $16.00 your choice Shah Safari Shirts $7.95 Use our Layaway Plan for Christmas Gifts Fifth pearl Building • 207 East Fifth Ava. Eugana • 484-6616 protect the MSA's reputation, says Mehran, a member of the Moslem Student Society He can use only his first name because of possible retaliation against family members, he says The MSA is largely funded by Khomeini's regime and is reporting names of people who oppose the Iranian leader, Mehran adds There is no feud between the MSA and any foreign student organization, Altwaijri says. However, his organization has lodged complaints for verbal harassment against the Iranian Student Organization and Moslem Student Society for incidents occurring at MSA information tables. “We don’t hold these acts as representative of organizational attacks but as merely individual attacks,” Altwaijri says. "We are not bothered by this " Iranian Student Association and MSS membership is limited to Iranians The OAS is open to all Arab students, and the MSA is open to all Arabs and Iranians. ‘‘Our enemies are anti Islams," Harthi says. Anyone who does not fully support Khomeini is an enemy of the MSA, Hamide says. "Khomeini’s regime fights without any logic just like those fanatics fight student organizations,” Mehran says. “This is absolutely not true,” Harthi says. “The MSA supports it (Khomeini’s regime) to a certain extent, but no more.” The MSA is funded soley by the IFC, membership fees, and fund raising efforts, Harthi emphasizes. jemu Cultural Forum Presents Tcx-fTlcx ITlusic comes to fugene with ip1, flaco > limenez and his band flacol the king of the Tex-Mex accordion he packs the dance halls down in San Antonio Texas, & keeps them lumping all night1 described as “the Chuck Berry of the squeeze box" by Rolling Stone magazine he s appeared on “Saturday Night Live" and “Austin City Limits” he s toured the US and Europe with Ry Cooder & played on his "Chicken Skin Music” 4 “Show Time" albums Conccrt/Dancc Sunday. Dovcmbcr 8. 8 p.m. ffTlU Ballroom on th« UO campus In fugsns Tickets $5.50 General Public. $4.50 UO Students Available at • EMU Main Desk • Lights tor Music in Springfield • Mr Mike s Really Reusable Records, downtown
