BYU football: loss of Teo?

Report: Cougars lose out on Te'o

Several recruiting publications, including Total Blue Sports, are reporting that BYU has lost out on the Manti Te'o sweepstakes.

Teo, the top outside linebacker in the country, has narrowed his top three choices to USC, UCLA and Notre Dame. Te'o told TBS that "when it came down to it I just thought I could make a bigger impact and be a bigger influence elsewhere. I think at a school like USC or UCLA, I could really represent the Mormon church well."

Mormons & Muslims unite at UCLA

A recent public dialogue was held on the campus of the University of
California Los Angeles (UCLA). The November 29, 2007, dialogue was organized by local
Muslim & LDS students and scholars.  

The event was entitled "Mormons, Muslims, and the Media." Many Muslims and Mormons came from across Los Angeles County to attend the discussion.  It was a remarkable event that intensified the friendship between the Islamic and Mormon groups in Southern California.

At the event, we enjoyed a stimulating discussion of Mormonism, Islam and the media's role y in informing public udnerstanding of these two dynamic faith groups.  

The panelists included:

• Dr. Claudia Bushman, Columbia University (visiting scholar at the Huntington Library in Pasadena, California), Author of Contemporary Mormonism
• Mr. David Haldant, The Los Angeles Times, reporter on Mormon & Muslim communities in Southern California
• Dr. Amir Hussain, Loyala Marymount Univ., Author of Oil & Water: Two Faiths, One God
• Moderator: Dr. Karen Torjesen, Dean of the School of Religion at Claremont Graduate University
  

This event was a great opportunity for all to interact, learn, reach out, and understand each other's religion, culture, and (mis)representations in the media.  Thanks to all who organized the event.