Dr. Agus Sofyan, professor of Biology, presented on the topic of Islam and the Muslim religion to two Intercultural Communication classes at Big Sandy Community and Technical College on August 31 and September 1.  Dr. Sofyan, who is from Indonesia, explained that the term Islam actually means “to submit totally and peacefully to God.”  He gave a detailed explanation about the Muslim faith and beliefs, including that there is only one God, that angels are real and good, the belief in four holy books (including the Bible and the Quran), prophets, Judgment Day, and a belief in predestination. He noted that there are 1.6 billion Muslims in the world today and indicated anyone who commits violence on another is not following the Muslim faith, which is based on peace. He stressed that the terrorist incidents reported are people representing their own cultural or national beliefs and not Islam or the Muslim faith. Dr. Sofyan is a listed speaker with the Big Sandy Speakers’ Bureau and he, along with other speakers, can be contacted at  www.bigsandy.kctcs.edu, select the Visitors and Community tab, and Speakers Bureau.