Until recently, many textbooks have portrayed Muslims...

Until recently, many textbooks have portrayed Muslims as nomadic desert people who live in tents--a rendering that is largely inaccurate, said Munir Shaikh, administrator for the Council on Islamic Education.

Since its inception in 1989, the council has worked to erase such stereotypes by providing balanced information about Islam and Muslims to publishers and educators. In October, the council published the second edition of its “Handbook for Educators.”

“It’s absolutely necessary to have supplementary material available,” Shaikh said. “Teachers are required to teach about Islam along with other faiths, but there has been a lot of misinformation in the past, and teachers haven’t had a lot of places to get information.”

Many textbook editors consult with the council’s network of university professors and Islamic scholars to ensure a more balanced portrayal of Muslims and of Islam.

“Islam has been covered as a desert religion, when it is actually a very urban faith,” Shaikh said. “All the pictures in textbooks have looked very foreign, with alien-looking people, rather than of children laughing or people in careers. There is always a backdrop of desert, of a simple nomadic life, which is not representative of most Muslims.”

The council also conducts workshops for public school teachers; conferences for textbook authors, publishers and curriculum writers; runs a speakers bureau; provides professional consultants, and distributes “An Introduction to Islamic History,” a resource book containing lesson plans, readings and other materials for teachers of grades seven to 12.

Ed McCullough, an adjunct instructor at the University of Phoenix campus in Fountain Valley, uses the center’s resources to teach his comparative religion class. The council has provided him with written material as well as speakers.

“(Their presentations) are extremely informative, and the council has been extremely helpful to the classes,” said McCullough, whose class covers Judaism, Christianity and Islam.

“People (in class) have misconceptions, or they have a real lack of information about Islam. The council representatives are not trying to convince anybody politically, or convert people religiously, just give information.”

Shaikh said the center tries to focus on the similarities of people and of religions, rather than on differences.

“Muslims, Jews and Christians have more similarities than differences, including our belief in one God, which people are surprised to learn,” he said.

“Once people understand Muslims and learn about our rituals, it helps eliminate misconceptions and stereotypes. When they learn things like Arabs are only 18% of Muslims, and that most of them do not live in the Middle East, when they encounter the facts, it has a dramatic effect on the understanding of the whole body of Muslims around the world.”

OUTREACH

* Free one-hour workshops to advise parents how to receive their court-ordered child support payments are offered at 10 a.m. Tuesdays, sponsored by Concerted Action Against Deadbeat Dads, a program of the San Fernando Valley Interfaith Council. No children, please. The group meets at the Bank of Newport, 16501 Ventura Blvd., Encino. (818) 718-6460.

* “If Not Happily Ever After, Then What?” is a seminar sponsored by the Westside Jewish Community Center and Temple Emanuel at 7:30 p.m., Thursday at Temple Emanuel. The seminar, taught by paralegal Eydie Brandel, will clarify divorce procedures. The cost is $10 per person. 8844 Burton Way, Beverly Hills. (213) 655-6991.

* First Lutheran Church of Camarillo is sponsoring a free lecture series, featuring Bill Hoesch of the Institute for Creation Research in La Jolla. Hoesch, who has a master’s degree in geology, will speak on the evidences of God in creation at 7 tonight and Sunday. 380 Arneill Road, Camarillo. (805) 484-0426.

PERFORMANCES

* Six world religions will share the stage for “Songs and Dances of Faith” at the University of Judaism, at 8:30 tonight and at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Sunday. The program will feature singers, dancers and musicians from Israel, India, the Philippines, Mexico and Tibet. Tickets are $23 and $18. 15600 Mulholland Drive (310) 476-9555, Ext. 203.

* The South Coast Ecumenical Council presents a “Festival of Choirs” in a benefit concert at 3 p.m. Sunday at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Long Beach. The concert will feature the Cal State Long Beach Chamber Singers and the African American Artists Choir. Donations are encouraged. 525 E. 7th St., Long Beach. (310) 595-0268.

DATES

* Prof. Avraham Biran, director of the Nelson Glueck School of Biblical Archaeology in Jerusalem and chairman of the Israel Exploration Society, will present a free lecture on “The Dynasty of King David: Discoveries at Tel Dan,” at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday. Biran discovered a monument in Israel that provides the first references to King David outside the Bible. Hebrew Union College and the Skirball Museum are sponsoring the lecture. Reservations are required. 15500 Stephen S. Wise Drive, Los Angeles. (213) 749-3424, Ext. 240.

* The Fuller Theological Seminary’s School of World Mission will host William Kumuyi of Nigeria, pastor of the largest church in Africa, who will speak on “Basic Issues in Church Growth: An African Perspective.” Kumuyi will speak at 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. Wednesday at the First Congregational Church in Pasadena, 464 E. Walnut St., and Thursday in Fuller’s Travis Auditorium, 190 N. Oakland Ave. For more information, phone (818) 584-5260.

* The Buena Park Church of Christ will celebrate its 50th anniversary Sunday, featuring lectures by Jerry Rushford, director of church services for Pepperdine University. He will speak on the history of the Church of Christ in Southern California. The day includes a potluck lunch; lectures and discussions run from 8:15 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 7201 Walnut Ave., Buena Park. (714) 523-1700.

EVENTS

* The Catholic Singles Network of Los Angeles will host its Autumn Fest singles dance from 8 to 11:30 tonight at St. Philip’s Hall in Pasadena. The dance, which will feature live music by the Fred Medley Band, is open to Catholic singles ages 21 to 45. Admission is $6. 151 S. Hill St. (310) 376-1971.

* The Episcopal Church of Women of St. Nicholas will present a fund-raising silent auction that will include a light lunch, wine, classical music and Jiffy the Magic Clown to entertain children from noon to 2 p.m. Sunday. 17114 Ventura Blvd., Encino. (818) 788-4486.

* The New Dawn Ministry for the separated, divorced and widowed is hosting its third annual fall dance from 7:30 to 11:30 tonight at the Holy Redeemer Parish hall. Music by Canyon Country Band. Tickets are $10 at the door. 2401 Montrose Ave., Montrose. (818) 952-6084.

* Handmade Christmas ornaments, baby gifts, needle craft and baked goods will be for sale at the Christmas bazaar of United Methodist Women, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. today at Culver-Palms United Methodist Church. 4464 Sepulveda Blvd., Culver City. (310) 390-7717.

Notices may be sent to the Southern California File by mail c/o Religion Editor, Los Angeles Times, Times Mirror Square, Los Angeles, Calif. 90053, or by fax to (213) 237-4712. Items must be brief and arrive at least three weeks in advance. Include a phone number, date, time and full address.