National “Muslim-American” exhibit to open at ISU

A vandalized Pocatello mosque caused a New York artist to send his latest exhibit to Idaho State University’s John B. Davis gallery this week.

Robert Gerhardt’s latest exhibit called “Muslim-American, American-Muslim” features photographs of some of the three million practicing Muslims across the country during their everyday lives.

ISU political science professor and secretary of the Islamic Society of Eastern Idaho Daniel Hummel said this exhibit is a great way to help break-down the negative stereotypes circulating after religious extremists have carried-out violent movements across the world in recent events.

“To say that a handful of people can characterize the more than three million Muslims in America is a little ridiculous,” Hummel said. “I think these pictures help to show that side you never really get to see which is the overwhelming majority of Muslims showing they are just regular people without an agenda.”

Hummel said during the first week construction started on the new mosque in Pocatello, the building was vandalized and windows were destroyed. He said they never reached out to Gerhardt, but instead the artist heard about the incident and reached out to the community.

The exhibit will open to the community on Monday evening and run through the end of January.

A reception will be held on Jan. 20 between six and eight o’clock in the evening.