The room in Willard Building was filled with posters asking, "How does Islam guarantee human rights?" "Is Islam tolerant of other beliefs?" and "What do Muslims believe in?"

Sheik Abdullah Idris Ali aimed to answer those questions when he addressed a casual group of about 50 students last night.

Before starting, Idris Ali said a prayer, accompanied by many members of the audience. It became a trend — at many points during the evening he stopped to speak in Arabic, sometimes just a few words, but often whole phrases which he then paused to translate for the non-Muslim members of the audience.

Idris Ali began by explaining Allah's existence.

Idris Ali stressed that Allah was the Arabic word for God.

"He's not a special God for Muslims and Islamics," he said.

Idris Ali talked about the ways that people come to grips with their own faith. "People need to be able to question things," he said. "If you suppress someone's curiosity, you make them question their faith. I questioned almost everything that I am going to say to you at one time in my life."

Idris Ali said that there were six steps that would help Muslims to build up their faith.

First, he said, Muslims ought to study the Koran and then practice the "rituals" that would help to link them with God. Next, they should wash the bodies of the dead, a Muslim tradition that he said helped people to see things in perspective.

Idris Ali emphasized that Muslims ought to surround themselves with good company. "Keep with people of faith to keep your own faith," he said.

Finally, he said that it was important to do good things and to pursue knowledge.

Audience members were pleased with his speech.

"He's an excellent speaker, which was why we wanted him to come and speak here," said Sobia Chaudhry, president of the Muslim Students Association.

The event was sponsored by the Muslim Students Association of Penn State.