As mrcontroversy noted in an earlier open thread, Wichita lost an important bridge builder and peacemaker last week when Nabil Seyam, a prominent leader of the local Muslim community, died in an auto accident. Seyam’s life mission was to promote better understanding of Islam and its followers — and his success was a testament to the power of faith to make a difference.
In the often emotional aftermath of Sept. 11, Seyam worked courageously and tirelessly to make Wichitans aware that most Muslims sought peace and dialogue, not conflict. He spoke to many local congregations of various faiths, reaching out with a message of tolerance and understanding.
Seyam’s leadership was key in building the Islamic Society of Wichita and the city’s impressive new mosque. But perhaps his most lasting legacy will be his personal example of quiet faith and interfaith dialogue.
There will be a public memorial service for Seyam at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Muslim Community Center, 6655 E. 34th St. North.
Posted by Randy Scholfield
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29 Comments
I have not lived in Wichita since 1996. I am sorry that I had to miss out on such an attempt at inter-faith dialogue, that sort of thing is almost non-existent here in Texas (At least in any productive form). I hope that his legacy at the Islamic Society of Wichita has the leadership in place to carry this conversation forward and I pray that other faiths everywhere will look to make it a priority that they put at the top of the list.
In OUR future thinking & practices: No racism ALLOWED! No idiotic male chauvinism nor bigoted discrimination ALLOWED! No ideological nor religious motivated terroristic stupidity ALLOWED! No xenophobic isolationism, dumb criminality, abusive exploitation or violence against women and children, nor avaricious global exploitation of humanity ………ALLOWED!
I agree with Mr. C. and the EAGLE’s Randy Scholfield above, Wichita lost an important bridge builder and peacemaker with the death of Nabil Seyam. He was indeed making an important difference. Hopefully someone will step up to take his place in our community.
Innalillahi wa innaillahi roji’un. To God we belong, and to God we shall return.
Nabil Sayam’s ecumenicism was a rare gift, and his willingness to reach across sectarian lines showed the content of his ethical character.
In Lessing’s Enlightenment-era play “Nathan the Wise,” Nathan, the main character who is a Jew, acts virtuously toward a Christian Knight Templar. The Knight is surprised, and complements Nathan by calling him a Christian. Nathan responds, graciously, with the affirmation that good folks are good folks, regardless of their religious affiliations:
“what makes me a Christian, in your eyes, makes thee a Jew in mine.”
I knew Nabil and had numerous discussions with him over the years. Often we disagreed, sometimes a bit heatedly. BUT, we could disagree without being disagreeable. THAT, in my view, was one of his messages to us.
I know that I will miss him.
Innalillahi wa innaillahi roji’un. To God we belong, and to God we shall return.I will miss you Seyam
I was shocked and quite saddened when I hear on the news of the death of Nabil Seyam. I am I new fan of River city forum. He show grace in the face of hateful callers. He took the time to explain his faith to those that only knew Islam from Bin Laden and the like.
I would say “Allah be with you Nabil Seyam”, but I will say “Nabil Seyam be with Allah”.
This hatred, this fear will not end with Nations or Governments. But with individuals that go beyond the hatred and fear to extend a hand in peace.
WELL SAID DOG
Dog,Thank you. Where I couldn’t find words, you did.
Dog, I wish I’d seen your remarks yesterday when I was editing the tribute to Dr. Seyam we aired last night.What a beautiful sentiment, that truly captured what Nabil was to all of us here.
I’m not sure what to add. Nabil would certainly not have endorsed my lack of religious faith (to put it mildly), but that didn’t stop him from giving an eloquent talk at the Stop the Hate rally, surrounded by people from all walks of life.
A unique person, to say the least.
I see the liberal-fascists who control this blog are up to their censorship tricks again. America is a free country and my speech is protected under the Constitution of the United States of America.
I am an American, and I will not be silenced.
Protected, yes.Welcomed, no.I am trying soooo hard to couch my words in the spirit of my friend and colleague, Dr. Seyam.But the unjustified, ignorant hate you spew make that very difficult for me.You call yourself an American.Fine. Then riddle me this, Batman:Let’s say you were working in a foreign country.The country is invaded. You lose your job, and you have to sell eggs outside a church just to eat.Suddenly, you are captured and taken to the capital of the invading country.You are imprisoned, given little or nothing to eat, and beaten.Then, your captors find out you are an American. You are brought before the head of state, and told you will be treated well if you will just denounce the U.S.Would you stand up at that point and refuse? Well, maybe.Let’s just say you refuse. So, you are taken away, tortured and beaten again.The next day, deprived of sleep, you are again offered liberty in exchange for speaking out against the United States.Again, you refuse.So again, you are blindfolded and taken away for more torture and beatings.And the same thing happens over and over for 15 days.Think you could handle that?I don’t think so.And that is why I deeply, deeply resent what you write here.How dare you speak of someone you’ve obviously never met in these terms? Did you even know who Nabil was before you spewed your hatred? I doubt it.Go ahead, call yourself an American. Wrap yourself in the flag.YOU DON’T DESERVE IT.
There are those of us on both sides of the political aisle who know that illegal immigration from Mexico is killing both America and Mexico. We manage to address that without stooping to the sick tactics of “wetbacks go home” There are threads that address illegal immigration. Use them and do not exploit the death of a man who sought only peace.
I have my suspicions that “wetbacks” is a poster we know under another nic but either way “wetbacks” you are NOT welcome here and will be universally attacked until such time as you remove yourself from posting here.
Oh my goodness, I didn’t hear this news–I haven’t been near the internet for a while. How shocking.Mr controversy, is there any way I can see that tribute to Dr. Seyam?
How dare you speak of someone you’ve obviously never met in these terms? Did you even know who Nabil was before you spewed your hatred? I doubt it.
MrC,Am I missing something here? I’ve searched the entire thread and I haven’t seen wetback/Ian say anything about Seyam?
The editors deleted it pretty quickly. Steven Davis saw it, and called it a new low point for the blog.
Tara,Because you asked for it…we will re-run it between our replay of the high school game and the live telecast of the Butler County game at approximately 6 PM Saturday night CT.
Well said MrC. I have a copy of Dr. Seyam’s book about his captivity – I find in sadly amusing that our anonymous bigot would target a loyal American citizen that way.
I had my share of disagreements with Nabil abuot a number of issues. However, that did not lessen my respect for that American citizen.
Ian has not weighed in on this unless he is the troll.And listen asshole troll, I had your post removed.You got a problem with that you cowardly prick?My email’s live, no changed names.I know you’re not man enough to be a real American, are you man enough to take me on?I’m easy to find.What’s your name and address?You’re just a low-life racist.This world could do without you and yours.Whatever your game is, it ain’t funny.Ever had your ass whipped by an old man?
Mr. C and Nabil’s other friends,don’t respond to it.Refer it to me.
HERE’S proof of cowardice:
Your message did not reach some or all of the intended recipients.
Subject: I’m your huckleberry–Sent: 10/18/2006 10:47 AM
The following recipient(s) could not be reached:
trueamerican54@hotmail.com on 10/18/2006 10:47 AMThere was a SMTP communication problem with the recipient’s email server. Please contact your system administrator.
If you’ll notice, not even Ian will stand up for this coward.
Thank you to all who are working against racial hatred…and trolls that vomit it.
Thanks MrC, for airing it again. I’ll tune in after my Saturday morning cartoons.
“By God,they are just like us…” Said Nabil.
We were just relaxing after a prayer session and he started to talk. He just came back from an interfaith dialouge. Nabil was sharing his experience meeting some God fearing devoted Chrsitians. I can still picure it. It reminded a of a beautiful verse in the Qur’an (5:82-84) which praised Christians by name.
He was a man of commitment. Once he “Chose” to become US citizen, he kept his loyalty even when he was tortured by Saddam’s army in Iraq.
Thanks IM4Peace. That is definitely the Nabil I knew. He lectured at a class I took at Newman University on Business Ethics from a Muslim perspective; he sounded a lot like the other two guest lecturers we had – Catholic and Protestant.
As I understand it both Jesus and Mary are named in the Quran. I plan to try to start reading the Quran (or, more accurately, an English translation) so that I can better know what is there.
I work with several Muslims and, like Nabil said, “they are just like us.” Including the fact that a couple of them enjoy partying with the rest of us! I remember one day at the Islamic Center looking at the pictures the children had drawn on the wall. The theme was “Why I like chocolate”. Again, just like us! At that age – very silly sometimes. I also remember at the dedication watching the poor scout leaders trying to keep the kids in line. Could have any scout pack anywhere. And then there was the little ‘incident’ when some of the teenagers decided to crank the basketball goals down and start shooting baskets while the rest of us were trying to talk. Typical teenagers – just like the rest of us!
Nabil’s death was a loss not only to the Muslim community but to the rest of us.
I would like to thank everybody for their thoughts and comments on Br. Nabil.
He was a man that understood his faith, his religion and his convictions, none of which could waiver by any disparaging remarks or sentiments.
Hateful language that attacks personally is usually a result of a lack of anything useful or intelligent to say. This comes from my own personal experience and habits, but I suppose it applies to others as well.
Regardless, such statements offer no challenge to someone of faith, who is secure in the persons and their service to God, Almighty.
To Allah (God) we belong, and to Allah (God) will we return.
May Nabil Ahmed Seyam be granted forgiveness from Allah (God) and awarded the highest Heaven for his faith and service to Our Supreme Creator.
May we as a community in Wichita and as Americans and subjects of The Lord of the Universe, continue Dr. Seyam’s work and passion, which is to promote God’s Will and offer to all:
Salaam; Shalom; Paz; Pax; Peace.
Michael Pisciotte