Debating the Islamic Cultural Center; Teaching Civic Discourse

By Brent Farrand

January 29, 2011 - Scrutiny of American religious tolerance reached its highest level in the controversy over the proposed construction of an new Islamic Cultural Center adjacent to the physical and emotion scar of the former World Trade Center site.

On December 8, two Rutgers-Newark debaters, Carlos Astacio and Elijah Smith, presented a public debate on the topic Resolved that the Islamic Cultural Center should be built at the proposed site near the World Trade Center site. More than 40 people gathered for the event at Robeson Campus Center and joined in a spirited but civil discussion following the formal debate. The debate was a product of the collaboration between the Jersey Urban Debate League and Rutgers-Newark and is a part of Rutgers' Streetcar Debate series.

Six days later the same topic was presented in an evening public debate at Science Park High School in front of an active audience of more than 70. Four Science Park debaters conducted this debate - Safiena Amzad and Faneeza Ali on the Affirmative with Ivelisse Tirado and Muttalib Khan on the Negative. A public radio debate presented by the college and high school debaters is planned for late February.

The Islamic Center debates are a part of two JUDL collaborations. The first is a partnership to develop student leadership engaging Stand and Deliver, the Abbott Leadership Institute and JUDL under the aegis of The Prudential Foundation. The second is a cooperative effort among urban debate leagues, the National Forensic League and The Open Society Institute to promote civic discourse in a national campaign. It has always been JUDL's vision that debaters should actively use their skills and talents to better their communities, solve problems and promote understanding. The emerging partnerships will strength the accomplishment of this vision and provide JUDL debaters with the responsibility of a public podium.