An earlier version of this article identified Bharata Natyam, the dance performed by Vinay Srinivasan, as a Muslim ritual dance. This version has been altered to identify the dance as one of the main classical styles of India, expressing Hindu religious themes. The Daily Illini regrets the error.

Islam Awareness Week, organized by the University’s Muslim Students Association, is in full swing, featuring art and history to enhance Islamic cultural awareness and educate both Islamic and non-Islamic University students.

“The purpose of the week is to provide a way to educate and clear up misconceptions that (students) may have about Muslims through the media,” said Benazir Chhotani, senior in LAS and organizer of the event. “We also want to show how diversity exists on this campus, as well as in the rest of the country.”

So far, the week’s results seem encouraging, Chhotani said.

“The week has been very successful thus far,” said Chhotani. “I think this is because we’ve chosen a new theme for this year, combining Muslim cultural unity as well as education for non-Muslims.”

The week, organized in part to help diminish the effects of perceived false stereotyping of Muslim students, was co-sponsored by many groups, including the Center for South Asian and Middle Eastern Studies.

“We hope that this week will break down any stereotypes that people may have about Muslim people,” said Angela Williams, program coordinator at the center. “We’re trying to encourage them to get to know Muslims for who they really are.”

Tuesday’s event, the Interfaith in Action Variety Show held in the Allen Hall Lounge, used various art forms to convey religious diversity and was a collaborative effort between the Muslim Students Association and the Registered Student Organization, Interfaith In Action.

“The show is a collaboration of different faiths, and we’re using different art forms to show that,” said Chhotani. “It’s to show that we can all celebrate religion together despite different backgrounds.”

The show included various art forms, such as the Jewish a capella group “Highway 57,” ritual dancing, folk music, rock music from newly formed University student group “The Drama,” as well as spoken word segments. Vinay Srinivasan, sophomore in Fine and Applied Arts, performed the “Bharata Natyam.” The dance is one of the main classical styles of India, expressing Hindu religious themes.

“The dance is supposed to be in place of what you believe, whatever you believe in,” said Srinivasan. “I saw that this event was incorporating art and religion and thought it was the perfect opportunity. It gives me a chance to connect with God.”

“We were having trouble getting a diverse audience,” said Muslim Students Association president Alia Bilal, senior in LAS. “But so far, this year has been a great success.”