War story
Learn about other cultures in college

Religion professor Ronald Flowers said war is never a good thing but may produce positive results in the long run. This statement is exhibited perfectly on the TCU campus.

The Sept. 11 attacks have created an increased interest in Middle Eastern affairs among TCU students, and the faculty is witnessing this as they find their classes growing in size.

For example, Yushau Sodiq, an associate professor of religion, said his Islamic studies class has grown from 15 students last semester to more than 25 students this semester with more on the wait list.

TCU students should be commended for taking the initiative to learn about other cultures during this time of war. Attending classes in global affairs and world religions is certainly a way to achieve a sense of awareness and tolerance.

Although it is important for students to educate themselves in the affairs of the Middle East, they should not be doing it just because of the recent terrorist attacks. TCU encourages the education of its students so they can be aware and tolerant of other cultures. These resources should be used to their fullest extent.

But while students brush up on their knowledge of Islam and the Middle East, they should not forget the importance of learning about other cultures as well.

Sept. 11 has taught the United States that it can be vulnerable and is interrelated to other countries.

Religious wars happen frequently around the country. India and Pakistan, which are both nuclear shareholders, have been in conflict for the past 50 years over territorial boundaries that stem from religious beliefs. Even though this happens far away from America, the results of those conflicts should matter to us because they can affect us.

Even after the war is over and Sept. 11 recedes further back in our memories, students and all Americans should continue education in all things global. The country will not be able to grow if its citizens can’t learn from past mistakes.

TCU Daily Skiff © 2002