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Omar Jaleel Hazim, the Iman of the Islamic Center of Topeka, visited Lawrence Central Rotary Club to talk about his faith and the activities of the Center.  The Iman accepted Islam in 1962 and studied under the guidance of Elijah Muhammad.

This branch of Islam had a strong Black Nationalism component that appealed to a young Black man growing up in an unjust society.  In the 1970’sOmar Jaleel Hazim accepted a mainstream belief in the faith.  He is a builder by trade and has helped to establish many Mosques and Islamic Community Centers in the Kansas City area.  The Iman spoke of the belief that the Torah, the Bible, and the Koran are linked and represent a divine message from the creator.  He believes that all three faiths share many ideas and values.  He noted that many of the perceived negative elements of Islam, like the repression of women, are cultural expressions and not part of the true faith.  The Iman has dedicated his time and energy to teaching and dispelling misconceptions about Islam.

Hazim was the first Muslim to give the invocation in the Kansas House of Representatives.  He has served on the Board of Directors of Interfaith Topeka, Inc. and as the Islamic Advisor to the Kansas Department of Corrections.  He is an active speaker and has numerous publications, including the book “Islam in the Heartland of America.”  The Iman was asked if his community has been targeted for abuse, and he said the Islamic Center and people in the Topeka Islamic community have largely escaped that kind if attention.

For more information about the Islamic Center of Topeka – visit their website at http://wp.topekamosque.org/ and the Imam Hazim’s book is available in hardback, paperback and Kindle edition on Amazon.

The Shelter, Inc. Director, Gina Hummel, spoke to Lawrence Central Rotary about the unique role the organization plays in the care of children who are removed from their homes by law enforcement or court action.  Gina Is a Kansas University graduate with over 25 years of experience in health and human services.

The mission of The Shelter, Inc. is to improve the lives of children and families in Douglas and Northeast Kansas, with a focus on children at risk.  The organization was created in 1981 to address the needs of children who were in the temporary custody of law enforcement or due to court action.  There was simply no place to take those children.  Two residential homes were set up and staffed, one for boys and the other for girls, ages 10-18.   The residences can accommodate a total of 28 children, serving an average of 300 children a year.  These children have often suffered abuse and have significant behavior problems.  The staff work hard to create as much normalcy as possible and provide counseling, tutoring, and other support.  The Shelter, Inc. also provides foster care and adoption services.  Emergency funding is available to families in crisis as well as assessment and referral services.  Staff is available on call 24 hours a day.  Prevention and diversion support is also available to first-time juvenile offenders.  Gina Hummel noted that the State system is under severe stress and that early intervention and support is critical but greatly underfunded.  The organization is funded by a combination of sources including County, City, State pass through dollars and a Festival of Trees holiday fundraiser.  Shelter, Inc is moving in June to improved facilities at 1925 Delaware.

The organization is funded by a combination of sources including County, City, State pass through dollars and a Festival of Trees holiday fundraiser.  Shelter, Inc is moving in June to improved facilities at 1925 Delaware.

For more information about this local resource, their website is: https://www.theshelterinc.org/

Donald Trump is like no other American President according to Distinguished Professor Dr. David Farber, History Department, University of Kansas.  Dr. Farber earned his advanced degrees from the University of Chicago and has written extensively on politics, social change and business in modern America.  He began with identifying the formula that propelled Donald Trump to a victory in the Republican Primary and electoral success in the Presidential election.  He noted that a primary has a smaller pool of voters, therefore, huge numbers are not necessary for success.  Donald Trump built his own unique brand that appealed to white ethnic nationalism.  He used Birtherism, the belief that President Barack Obama was not born in America and might not be a Christian, to appeal to people inclined to be angry ethnic nationalists.

Dr. Farber noted that polls indicated that 72% of Republican Primary voters believed the Birther arguments.  Donald Trump gambled that free trade and immigration would work with primary voters.  He used demagogue like techniques and arguments and won a surprising victory over the established leaders of the party.  He won approximately 50% of primary voters and once the choice came down to two Presidential candidates, the establishment Republicans “came home” and voted for Donald Trump. He also earned enough support from independent voters, primarily white males in key states, to win the Presidency.  Dr. Farber noted that the Clinton Campaign underestimated support from union members, Blacks and Hispanics and that contributed to her loss.  Regarding Donald Trump’s performance so far, Dr. Farber maintains that we have never had a President who knows so little about power and governing.

Jancita Warrington, Director of the Cultural Center and Museum at Haskell University, told the story of the Memorial Arch at Haskell University football stadium. Dedicated in 1926, the Arch was erected by Native American contributions in memory of the Native American soldiers who volunteered to fight in the First World War. Secretary of the Interior Hubert Work, a Haskell graduate, spoke at the dedication.

In 1924, Haskell high school fielded an excellent football team that competed successfully against a number of college teams. In recognition of the football program, Haskell students promised funds to regrade the football field and install 2,000 seats around the field. When tribes from all over the United States also contributed funds, the project grew to include the building of the stadium as well as the Memorial Arch.

The dedication of the Haskell stadium and Memorial Arch became an occasion for Native American tribes to gather, something that they were not allowed to do on the reservations at that time. Over 5,000 Indian people from multiple tribes came to Lawrence for the event, building a native village on the prairie just outside of Lawrence. Since each tribe had its own language and customs, it was a truly multi-cultural event. The powwow held at that time was the largest ever and began a series of inter-tribal powwows that still continues annually.

The gathering also attracted 12,000 tourists to Lawrence. Besides attending the dedication itself, tourists watched Indians perform the play “Hiawatha,” attended the powwow, ate barbeque, and enjoyed a parade on Mass Street.

Warrington earned her B.A. at Haskell University and her M.A. at University of Kansas. A Potawatomi, Menominee, and Ho-Chunk descendent, she has taught in various Native American institutions and has worked served as a Tribal Council Member and the Tribal History Cultural Preservation Director for the Prairie Bank Potawatomi Nation. She has been recognized nationally for her knowledge, leadership, and commitment to serving Indian Country.