Reinforce the Positive to Fight the Negative
Nobel laureates and achievers in diverse fields speak about their struggle against racism and discrimination at this year’s Festival of Thinkers held at the Higher Colleges of Technology.
By Rania Moussly, Staff Reporter, Notes
Published: 12:12 November 9, 2009
Basketball legend Kareem Abdul Jabbar advised young Arabs, as well as Muslim youth in general, who are facing discrimination and negative stereotyping, to explain how Islam has affected their lives positively. Speaking to Campus Notes at the third biennial Festival of Thinkers last week, he related his own experience striving against racism as an African-American in the US.
The Festival of Thinkers gave students from the Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT) an opportunity to pick the brains of a number of Nobel Laureates. Names such as King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden, Prince Nikolaos of Greece and Cherie Blair made up the numerous panels that held discussions simultaneously at HCT campuses around the country over the course of three days.
Overcoming stereotypes
Speaking at Abu Dhabi Women’s College, Abdul Jabbar said: “Fanatics have taken over the stage and made Islam seem to be the expression of fanatics; whereas every day Muslims have benefited from the moral anchor Islam has supplied their lives.”
He advised the youth in the region to relate and relay such information by understanding “who they are”. He went on to say: “It’s up to every individual to understand who he or she is as an individual and put their best foot forward.”
When asked about how today’s youth in the region struggle to find goals to aspire towards, he said: “They have to figure out what it is they want to do with their lives and step forward in that sense.” He added that a youth who is given everything is left no room to be motivated.
Role models on adversity
A panel discussion on adventure in adversity hosted Abdul Jabbar, NBA’s all-time lead scorer, and former England international footballer Tony Woodcock alongside Olympic gold medallists Donna de Varona, Jennifer Azzi and Michelle Smith.
The panellists spoke of their personal struggle trying to achieve success and said hard work was the only secret ingredient. They named their own individual role models, while addressing issues such as the struggle for women’s rights with regard to playing sport in the US, and striving against institutionalised racism during the civil rights movement. They related such issues to UAE cultural growth and female achievements in society over the past 30 years.
The themes
The event was centred on 10 themes tackling the future of capital, well-being, innovation, identity, government, resources and growth and science and technology, to name a few. In most instances students were given the opportunity to sit at a round table with the world thinkers and debate for 60 minutes on topics such as globalisation and the future of cultural identity.
November 10th, 2009 at 1:11 am
Dear Kareem -
I have enjoyed reading several of your books to date, do you plan to visit the Inland Empire, Claremont / Rancho Cucamonga area in the coming new year at any Library or University functions, ie Claremont Colleges I would enjoy hearing your opinion on such topics on our current economic upheavel in the US economy and global warming on the international scene, especially with your recent trip to the UAE
It seems we need to work together as a COMMUNITY to help solve some of the major issues of our time, if were to to survive in this garden, earth, that the Lord
has blessed us with presently
Hopefully one day we can share ideas in person and would like to thank you for
your input on many issues that affect God’s children I share your readings with people of interest and thought in my office who enjoy thoughtful ideas and solutions
to the challenges we face as people
Sincerely,
Dirk
P/S -
I was hearten this weekend when the House voted to move forward on Healthcare
legislation to help harding working Americans with the basic right to have access to medical care It brought a ray of sunshine and hope to my inner being…spirit
November 10th, 2009 at 4:16 pm
I was drawn to this web site because of the unfortunate news concerning Mr.Jabbar’s health. Our prayers go out to you.
Always admired your dignity and positive persona.Given the recent trauma at Fort Hood,I think Mr.Jabbar is ideally suited in helping to promote reconciliation and lessening the mistrust among the existing racial and religious divide. I think Mr Jabbar could serve as a credible broker in a series of meetings similar to the recent “Campus Notes “he was involved with.
Continued success & best health
KG
November 10th, 2009 at 4:21 pm
This has nothing to do with the subject except for the part about the positive. I just heard on the news about Kareems Lukeimia. I just attended a seminar and one of the speakers was Dr. Coldwell a very succesful doctor with a cancer cure rate of 93.3% success on over 35,000 patients. He has a book called “The Only Cure For Cancer” I thought that this would be very helpful to Kareem. Have a great day and good luck!
November 10th, 2009 at 5:26 pm
Kareem:
I found it rather ironic, that I just finished reading both of your books, and the announcement was made about your disease. I always admired you as a player, as the world did I am sure, but I was so impressed what an articulate, intellegent, caring man you are inside. Oftentimes, general public think that sports figures and such are one dimensonal and don’t really know what other attributes they offer. I am an old lady now, and obviously behind the times, but I just wanted you to know that I found a new respect for you after reading the books. Thank you for the knowledge. One is never too old to learn. I know you will conquer your next chapter in life, with a positive outlook, and know that you have the support and love of thousands. Thank you for letting me know THE MAN .
November 10th, 2009 at 6:47 pm
Kareem , our thoughts and prayers are with you !! you are an amazing person and inspiration for us all. God bless.
November 10th, 2009 at 9:48 pm
Brother Kareem, I pray that Allah(swt) is merciful and allows you to continue your good work. More people like yourself would make the world a better place, Ameen.
Kindest regards, soraya.
November 11th, 2009 at 2:03 am
Brother Kareem,
It is so awesome to hear that someone as big as yourself and healthy can relate to someone like myself. I too, have been battling LEUKEMIA (AML) since June 2008. I am 36 yearls old with 3 very young children and 3 step-children. With initial inducution of infused chemo and 3 more infused rounds, and numerous lengthy stays in the hospital, the Leukemia was thankfully sent into remission by August 2008. In those four months, I went through an incredible ordeal that I am still trying to forget in a way. I do weekly labs, quarterly bone marrow biopsies for 2 years (of which I have had about 10 so far, and 8 more to go), and on 3 separate oral medications to keep the Leukemia in check…out of my system. It is a daily struggle, literally. But in knowing this, I continue to thank Allah for his healing and mercy in permitting me to go on raising and growing with my children. You are a blessing to our family as you represent hope and positive well being and I want to express my deep rooted gratitude for sharing your life. God bless you ten fold through this and every other journey in your life.
Respectfully,
Charity
November 11th, 2009 at 3:02 am
Kareem, Thank you for coming forth with the announcement of your CML. I too was diagnosed 8/25/09 unexpectedly and am having good results also. I think awareness to early detection should be brought to physicians, as well as, patient attention. After a month of pain and many, many tests a simple CBC Blood test done by the fourth doctor I seen detected a highly abnormal white blood count of 238,000 cells which in turn predicted my CML. This was thought of as a disease that affects elderly patients, but I am only 36, and with no known cause for the disease it is important for people to be aware. Through great care from Dr. Kassim in Vanderbilt Hospital and with the medication Gleevec my white count is normal, my BCR-ABL is down to 30K, I feel really good and live everyday as if I do not have CML. Good Luck with your remission, I wish you the best and thanks again for being an advocate for CML awareness. If you’re ever in Kentucky for the Derby, Look me up………
November 11th, 2009 at 4:49 am
May Allah help you brother and peace with you
November 12th, 2009 at 8:23 am
I just read about Kareem being diagnosed with CML. I have a 16 year old niece from Orange County that was diagnosed in September 2009 with this very same rare form of leukemia. Not only is it a rare form of leukemia, but it’s extremely rare for a child of this age to have it. When she heard about Kareem’s diagnosis her first thought was, wow, he has the same thing I do. I just spoke with my sister (her mom) and she said that my niece almost found a joy is knowing that someone she has admired all these year (she’s a Laker’s fan) is going thru the same things she is. So, I’d like to thank Kareem for going public with this, it has definitely touched the heart of this little girl. She is on her school basketball team, but has had to refrain from playing due to this disease. She has not been able to attend school since the diagnosis, however she was voted Homecoming Princess and her doctor did allow her to recently attend that activity.
I could go on and on about this girl and the strength she has shown in fighting this disease, but what I really want to do is ask you if you are able to release any information about how she could contact Kareem, maybe thru email, a website, mail, phone etc. She would find so much delight in communicating with him about this disease, and to see her smile makes me, her family and all her loved ones very happy.
November 15th, 2009 at 7:55 am
Dear Kareem,
I heard the unfortunate news of your health challenge. My prayers go out to you & your family for a speedy recovery. Besides, we need you here!
I have enjoyed all your literary works, expecially on shoulders of giants…Wow how inspiring & challenging. Thank you Bro as i have followed your career since your UCLA day’s. Matter of fact it was that imagine of you on our black & white tv which gave me the dream that maybe i could do something positive with my life. But what attracted me to you as well as your on court greatness, but you dared to be different despite all the crapp you took from those who choose not to look beyond the sporting exploits.
By the way i live in Melbourne Australia but was born in Pittsburgh. I played summer league ball with Norm Nixon in the Connie Hawkins league back in the 70’s We were called the ” FIRST FIVE ” Norm and i ran the back court. If you happen to bump into Norm, please pass on my love, that’s if he remembers me.
Kareem i’ve never said this about another human being, But you are my hero and i am so grateful to you.
I Love Bro
Tony Wilkerson
November 17th, 2009 at 4:00 pm
I am one of your quiet fans. Knowing what a hassle it can be with admirers bothering you all of the time. I sat behind you at the MGM in Vegas for a boxing match, without saying a word, it was difficult. Many years before I saw you at the Bentwood Farm for Eqyptian Arabian horses in Waco TX. You were kind enough to wave. You are the most polite gentleman and a great person of fame to emulate. I also share chronic leukemia with you and wish you the best of life and health for many years. Your quiet fan, Phil
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January 4th, 2010 at 3:17 pm
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