Anoka-Ramsey Community College Humanities Faculty member, Kirsten Dierking was recently recognized by the Islamic Resource Group (IRG) with their Building Bridges Award.

Dierking was presented the award for her efforts in her “Women in a Global Perspective” class which examines issues of gender and cultural diversity around the world. She has worked with the Islamic Resource Group to engage speakers to present and discuss issues concerning women and Islam to her students.

“My students consistently comment that these dialogues are key to correcting inaccurate perceptions of Islam as a whole, and particularly misconceptions regarding the lives of Muslim women,” says Dierking.

“I interact with many attorneys and judges,” says attorney Imani Jaafar-Mohammad, who presented at the award ceremony. “Kirsten's students are more educated about Islam and Muslims than many attorneys and judges I give presentations to."

At the banquet, Dierking received the group’s Education award. Awards were also presented in Interfaith, Media and Community Leadership categories.

The Minnesota based Islamic Resource Group is a non-profit organization with the mission to build bridges of understanding between Muslims and non-Muslims through educational programs, such as presentations at K-12 schools, colleges and universities, media agencies and faith-based organizations, as well as training for professionals  in healthcare, law and education.  For more information about the group, visit www.irgmn.org.

For more information about the award-winning faculty at Anoka-Ramsey Community College, visit www.AnokaRamsey.edu.

Anoka-Ramsey Community College Humanities Faculty member, Kirsten Dierking (right) smiles after receiving the Islamic Resource Group’s Building Bridges Award in the Education category from Imani Jaafar-Mohammad representing the group.