Olajuwon Discusses Religion With HPD Olajuwon Plans To Promote Virtues Of Islam Posted: 10:45 a.m. CDT April 17, 2003 Updated: 11:01 a.m. CDT April 17, 2003 HOUSTON -- Houston police officers learned about Islam from former Houston Rockets center Hakeem Olajuwon as part of a culture awareness program to educate officers about the city's diverse communities. Olajuwon spoke to officers Wednesday at the Hakeem Islamic Dawah Center, a mosque and Islamic education center built with money provided by the NBA star. Organizers of the Houston Police Department's program said they wanted someone who could put a face on Islam to dispel stereotypes perpetuated by Osama bin Laden and Saddam Hussein. "This type of program is so important in today's world, where Islam has been so misunderstood by so many people," Olajuwon, a native of Nigeria, told the officers. Most Muslims are peaceful and law-abiding, he said. Representatives of the Islamic Circle of North America also attended, giving officers a history of Islam. Lt. Bill Hoffman, who's in charge of the department's in-service training, said similar cultural meetings have been held with Latinos, Jews, Asians and gays to open dialogue and to help overcome stereotyping. "It's a chance for us to understand American Muslims better, and it's a chance for American Muslims to understand us better," Hoffman told the Houston Chronicle in Thursday's editions. Olajuwon said he plans to continue using his money and fame to promote the virtues of Islam. Copyright 2003 by The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. sorry if it has nothing to do w/ basketball, but it is Hakeem
No wonder we can't get along in this world... people are ALWAYS finding something negative... I second WOWMING.
Actually I think Ming could probably understand Hakeem a lot better then you think. Because Hakeem will talk with more proper English (not as much slang) therefore they would communicate fine to be able to practice basketball together.
