Professor promotes positive view of Islam

[sonz]

A Muslim professor from London is helping people learn more about his religion because of recent events he says may have given Islam a negative public image.

Dr. Munir El-Kassem is conducting a series of lectures on the life of the Prophet Mohammed, called "Know this Man."

He said he's committed to holding Sunday afternoon discussions for as long as it takes to make people really understand what it means to be Muslim.

Most of people in his audiences are not Muslim, and he wants to provide them with a more balanced view of Islam.

"Lately we have been witnessing a series of unfortunate events that put Muslims in the forefront of the news," he said.

El-Kassem said it was last month's protest over the cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad that made him realize something had to be done.

He said the images on television of burning flags and violent mass protests misrepresent the majority of Muslims.

"People killing in the name of Islam, in the name of God, these people do not know Islam," he said.