Binder for sept18

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U2 releases new music

Men’s soccer

“U2” will receive their album, whether you like it or not Page 7

Breaking the Silence breaks barriers by benjamin minnis| for the lorian

Breaking the Silence is a student movement, a lifestyle dedicated to loving yourself. It’s about fighting to put your health and happiness first. It’s a community of people devoted to spreading this idea that we are more than our struggles; that we are strong, worthy and loved. This past week, Breaking the Silence launched their “My Story Is Worth Fighting For” campaign for this year’s Suicide Prevention Week, which took place Sept. 8-14. The campaign reached a large number of students on campus, according to sophomore Margaret Sentovich. “Breaking the Silence has had a strong presence on campus this week,” Sentovich said. “I think it’s been very successful because it has raised awareness about suicide prevention both at Loras and on social media. I participated in the campaign during Campus Fest because I thought the ‘What Do You Fight For’ photos were a powerful way to see what matters most to my fellow Duhawks.” The campaign has allowed many students, faculty and staff to showcase what they fight for in life, according to junior Noelle Hennemann, who is a Breaking the Silence’s executive board member. “The campaign was important because it helped students refocus on their life’s purpose and see that there are others who are fighting similar battles,” Hennemann said. “We all have our struggles, but it’s important to see how those struggles give us something to fight for and that they are worth fighting for.” Breaking the Silence has a number of exciting events planned for the upcoming school year, including its bowling fundraiser on Nov. 23. For information on how to get involved, email us at btscommunities@gmail.com or follow it on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram at @btscommunity.

photo by Ellie horst

First-year Kelly Minear takes part in this year’s campaign “What do you fight for?” put on by Breaking the Silence at last week’s Campus Fest.

No. 10 Duhawks off to a fast start Page 11 September 18, 2014 — Vol. 93, Issue 2

Eboo Patel’s return shines light on interfaith cooperation by nick betts | staff writer

It’s a rainy day at Loras College and there’s a brisk chill in the air. Though it may seem like a lackluster day to begin with, something much more exciting is unfolding. No, Subway isn’t catering lunch, Eboo Patel is speaking to the freshman class and anybody else who will listen to his views accompanied by his experiences with the Interfaith Youth Core. Eboo’s book, “Acts of Faith: The Story of an American Muslim, the Struggle for the Soul of a Generation,” didn’t only yield a greater understanding of his Interfaith Youth Core, his visit to Loras did, too. “I think that interfaith engagement is all about finding where you resonate with other people,” said Eboo Patel, author of “Acts of Faith” and keynote speaker. “A huge part of interfaith activity is looking through the monocle and taking responsibility for ugliness in the world.” Loras’ interfaith activities have risen over the past few years at Loras, especially with the initiation of the Better Together program. Emily Nelson, the president of the Better Together interfaith organization at Loras, sees its impact as very promising. “Last year, we had ‘Better Together Day,’ which is a national celebration of interfaith cooperation, and on that day, we had students sign a pledge to stand up against religious intolerance,” said Emily Nelson, senior and president of Better Together. “They also signed a petition for an interfaith prayer space on campus.” Emily’s efforts didn’t go unnoticed. Her work with Better Together ultimately landed the organization what they were looking for: a prayer space on campus. It’s due to open towards the end of September on the fifth floor of the ACC. “The prayer space is a quiet space on campus where anybody can go to meditate or to pray, or even read a book,” Nelson said. “It’ll be a place to recharge, regardless of your faith.” Patel and Nelson seek to further students’ understanding so they no longer live in the shadow of ignorance. Patel’s visit made everything he is preaching much more tangible too. “I think Eboo’s visit has inspired other students to learn more about their faith and other faiths,” said Kris Wolff, first-year student. “His visit painted him as human, he’s not just some larger -than-life figure. I liked that because it shows you can relate to him. He admitted there are moments he’s embarrassed of, just like the rest of us are.” Eboo spoke out about how the sin of omission is one of

‘‘

You live in America, in the 21st century, and you’re a college student,” Patel said. “You won the lottery and it’s a beautiful thing. I’ve got no other bet than the money I have on all of you.

Eboo Patel

,,

“Acts of Faith: The Story of an American Muslim, the Struggle for the Soul of a Generation”

photos by Katherine edwards

Patel speaks to students and Loras community members about his work promoting interfaith activity between different belief systems.

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The single most humiliating moment in my life was my friend calling me out for not doing anything about the bullies who were calling him names.

Eboo Patel

,,

referring to sins of omission

the worst sins you can commit. By being a bystander, one is failing his or her own religion. “The single most humiliating moment in my life was my friend calling me out for not doing anything about the bullies who were calling him names,” Patel said. Eboo’s visit for the seniors

a few years ago and his return this year means different things for different students though. “I think his return allows the seniors to reflect upon how they’ve changed in their four years and also it’s encouraging for the first-year students to see how the book has affected the seniors and

to know that we’re all learning the same thing,” Nelson said. Each of the students at Loras looks at something such as Acts of Faith through different eyes, yet we develop many of the same values. Eboo is helping facilitate our liberal-arts education at Loras. “Education is about developing new perspectives on already familiar material,” Patel said. Acts of Faith is a medium that all Loras students have encountered which furthers the development of the understanding of many religions. “I’m less biased because Acts of Faith gave me insight on Islam,” Wolff said. “Beforehand I had only heard what the news said, and the book gave me a nice, new perspective on the religion.” Furthering the understanding of Islam is part of what Patel’s visits and books are all about. He is only trying to facilitate the unification of this generation as a whole. “My job as a leader is to create cooperation between people who orient around religion differently,” Patel said. Patel expedites the process of each religious group becoming aware of others through the unique lessons in his books and speeches, specifically when he touched upon religious diversity when he visited Loras on September 15. “It was actually really interesting to listen to him; he talked a lot about religious diversity, and I really liked how he talked about admiring people from other religions but while still viewing personal faith as the one that you specifically find special,” Wolff said. Patel’s perspective on the world is unique and his ethos was only strengthened by the logos he showed with the insight he displayed on Loras students’ positions in the world. “You live in America, in the 21st century, and you’re a college student,” Patel said. “You won the lottery and it’s a beautiful thing. I’ve got no other bet than the money I have on all of you.”


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