2003 Perkins Prize goes to a mural project that promotes Jewish-Muslim understanding

By Linda Myers

A visual art project that brought Jews and Muslims together on Cornell's campus is the winner of the 2003 James A. Perkins Prize for Interracial Understanding and Harmony, which comes with a $5,000 prize. The top two finalists receive $1,000.

From left, Perkins Prize winners Julia Stone, Sara Rosenblum and Afsha Abid display their mosaic in the One World Room of Anabel Taylor Hall. Nicola Kountoupes/University Photography

The student winners and finalists were honored at a ceremony April 9 in the Willard Straight Hall Memorial Room.

The Cornell Hillel-MECA Mosaic Project involved creating a mosaic to serve as a visual commitment to further understanding between Jews and Muslims at Cornell and beyond. Leading the joint project were Sara Rosenblum and Julia Stone, seniors in Arts and Sciences, representing Cornell Hillel, and Afsha Abid, a junior in Agriculture and Life Sciences, representing Cornell's Muslim Educational and Cultural Association (MECA).

The mosaic, which was built last Nov. 3 by about 100 members of Cornell's Jewish and Muslim communities, primarily students, now is on display in the One World Room in Anabel Taylor Hall, where the practitioners of both religions hold prayer service. Above the mosaic hangs the world "peace" in both Arabic (salaam) and Hebrew (shalom). The current climate of intolerance, conflict and violence in the Middle East led the participants to look to their traditions for past commonalties that might express their commitment to a greater understanding between the two groups. The idea of creating a mosaic grew out of both the Muslim and Jewish traditions, which avoid human representations in religious art. Historically, decorative non-pictorial mosaics have adorned mosques and synagogues. The students who participated in creating the new mosaic described it as a joyful collaboration that they hope brings joy to those who view it and inspires greater understanding.

Cornell Hillel, a Jewish student union affiliated with the international Hillel organization, promotes Jewish religious, cultural and social activities among students on campus as well as public service and political and social action.

MECA seeks to establish a sense of community for Muslims on campus and in Ithaca, through congregational prayers, Ramadan dinners, meetings and other social and educational events as well as to share information about the religion of Islam with others.

Receiving Perkins Prize finalist honorable mentions were: the Multicultural Greek Letter Council (MGLC), represented by Amesika Bediako '04 , and the Multicultural Initiative for Racial Awareness (MIRA), led by Tamika Lewis '02, adviser to the program, and Brooke McDowell '06 and Lori Slate '05, program coordinators.

MLGC is a student governing board for African-American, Latino and Asian-American Greek-lettered organizations at Cornell. It promotes community service and also addresses issues facing the minority community at Cornell, bringing students of various backgrounds together to gain an understanding of the value of each other's differences.

MIRA is a program initiated by BLEND, the 2002 Perkins Prize winner, in conjunction with after-school programs at Beverly J. Martin Elementary School and the Great Ithaca Activities Center in Ithaca. The program fosters racial and cultural awareness in children four to 10 years old, while helping them hone their reading and interpersonal skills.

The Perkins Prize was established in 1994 by then Cornell trustee Thomas W. Jones to promote efforts for the advancement of interracial understanding and community on the Cornell campus and to honor Cornell President Emeritus James A. Perkins.

"President Perkins made the historic decision to increase very significantly the enrollment of African-American and other minority students at Cornell," said Jones in announcing the award in 1994.

The Perkins Prize is awarded annually to the program or organization -- or student, faculty or staff member -- making the most significant contribution to furthering the ideal of university community, while respecting the values of racial diversity.

The prize is administered through Cornell's Office of the Dean of Students, and the winners are chosen by members of a selection committee consisting of students, faculty members and administrators. This year, 12 entries were in competition for the prize.