December 14, 2004

Riverside, Calif. - Stahl Center Museum of Culture at La Sierra University announces a new exhibit, “Festivals of Faith: Celebrating Belief Around the World” beginning Saturday, January 29, from 2:00-5:00 p.m. The exhibit will include: Scrolls and Scriptures; Artifacts, Art Objects; Fabrics from Asia depicting Religious Festivals; Mandalas; A Passover Table; The Laughing Buddha, and a special opening event. A ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held at 2:00 p.m.

To celebrate the exhibit opening the Stahl Center Museum of Culture will feature an Enactment of Hajj at 3:00 p.m. by the Al Farouk Learning Center in Anaheim, Calif. in collaboration with Al Furqan Sunday School and Al Huda Saturday School at the Islamic Society of Corona/Norco. The Hajj, or pilgrimage to Mekkah, is a central duty of Islam whose origins date back to the time of Prophet Ibrahim. For 14 centuries, countless millions of Muslims, men and women from around the world, have made the pilgrimage to Mekkah, the birthplace of Islam. In carrying out this obligation, they fulfill one of the five “pillars” of Islam, or central religious duties of the believer.

The exhibit will include the following religions: Animism, Baha’i, Buddhism, Christianity, Confucianism, Folk Religion, Hinduism, Jainism Judaism, Islam, Sikhism, Taoism, and Zoroastrianism.

The Stahl Center Museum of Culture located at La Sierra University in La Sierra Hall is open every Saturday from 2:00-5:00 p.m., and Wednesday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Info call 951-785-2999.