Laith Matari, a sophomore, honors student, and varsity track and soccer star here at Hawthorne High School, gave a phenomenal and informative presentation titled Understanding Islam: Breaking Down Stereotypes on November 16, 2016.

He presented this to the Peer Leaders in hopes of educating and receiving feedback. Matari’s only goal was not to educate, however, but to create enough momentum to begin to make a viable difference.

The Clarion has asked Laith Matari some questions to identify which direction he would like to follow and ultimately what he hopes to achieve from his presentation and further along in the future.

Clarion Writer: What inspired you create your presentation?

Laith Matari:  What inspired me to crate my presentation is the fact that the religion of Islam is so often misinterpreted and people shine a bad light on that religion based off the stereotypes implemented because that is the only thing they hear about the religion.

Clarion Writer: Do you plan on giving multiple presentations? If so, where would you like to take it next?

Laith Matari:  I do plan on presenting more times and it is being discussed with administration when my next presentation will be held. I’d like to try to bring it to all of HHS because I know that a lot of students can learn from it.

Clarion Writer: What are your goals to continue spreading education regarding Islam?

Laith Matari:  My main goal is to try to make people more accepting and more knowledgeable regarding all cultures. I started with Islam because I believe it is very misinterpreted and it hits home when I hear people talking about it poorly.

Clarion Writer: Any other comments you’d like to make for the newspaper?

Laith Matari: Another thing that is being looked at right now is the club that I hope to start. The club’s name isn’t final yet, but the purpose of the club is a place for people to come together and share their different religious and ethnic identity.

Matari, very concerned with and troubled by the awful, false stereotypes that ring through the common person’s head when the word “Islam” is said, has taken it upon himself to educate others about the truth regarding Islam.

We hope to see more of Laith’s presentation, and definitely an ethnic and cultural identity club of sorts. To have a place to meet where others can freely express and educate to create a more educated, accepting High School environment would be undeniably beneficial.