According to a huge number of online sources, a 5 year old Kenyan boy – sometimes he’s claimed to be Tanzanian or Nigerian – can recite the entire Qur’an and preach in at least 5 languages. The boy is alleged to have converted thousands of people all over the world. This article which was printed in the “Scotland on Sunday” newspaper seems to be the original source for the story circulating on a large number of Islamic websites: There are orphans and street children everywhere. So much so that the sight of another small child standing on a street corner hardly merits a second glance. But only when the boy opens his mouth to speak do onlookers realise that Shariff Idd is special. The five year-old speaks in five languages – English French Italian, Swahili and Arabic – even though he is completely uneducated. Shariff is a preacher who draws crowds of thousands in Kenya to his increasingly regular sermons. The Libyan leader Colonel Muammar al Gaddafi is a great supporter following an audience with him earlier this year. Last week was a milestone for the child introduced to gawping throngs as the “miracle boy” of East Africa. He smiled triumphantly when told he had notched up his one thousandth conversion to Islam in a country where Muslims are a minority. Tours of France and Britain now beckon, according to Hajji Maroulin, one of the boy’s four guardians. he will travel as a missionary on a trip to e financed by a Muslim businessman from the Ivory Coast. “When he is not …
Lewis University students studied abroad May 9-20 and visited St. Peter’s Basilica, the Roman Forum and Coliseum in Rome, the Uffizi in Florence, and the Basilica d’ San Francesco in Assisi, among other sites. The 16 students were enrolled in a “Christian Faith and the Arts” course, “Ancient World” course, or independent study. The itinerary included visits to churches, museums and other sites of historical or cultural significance. Dr. Dominic Colonna, chair of Theology and associate professor, and Dr. Dennis H. Cremin, director of the Lewis University History Center: Urban, Cultural and Catholic History of the Upper Midwest and assistant professor, led this year’s program. The Theology Department has been leading the trips since 2002. Dr. Colonna has led the interdisciplinary program six times. Dr. Colonna said, “Volcanic ashes, transportation delays, inclement weather, and other personal challenges presented us a different experience this year than previous trips. I was impressed with the students’ ability to overcome adversities through supporting each other while obtaining a once in a lifetime learning experience.” Cremin added, “We were so excited to be able to blend our own personal history with world history on this trip through new friendships, educational experiences, and good times.” Students involved in the program included: Gregory Aimaro of New Lenox, Stephanie Anzelc of Minooka, Brooke Balash of Downers Grove, Shelby Brown of Evanston, Kristen Calvert of …
