Library offers imam, gypsy, gay person for 'loan'

If you think all lesbians are sexually frustrated or all animal rights activists aggressive, then a Swedish library project that allows you to 'borrow' a real live human being may provide some useful insight.

Ulla Brohed, of the Malmoe Library in southern Sweden, says the Living Library project will enable people to come face-to-face with their prejudices in the hopes of altering their preconceived notions.

"You sometimes hear people's prejudices and you realise that they are just uninformed," she said.

Nine people, including a homosexual, an imam, a journalist, a Muslim woman and a gypsy, will be available at the Malmoe Library for members of the public to "borrow" for a 45-minute conversation in the library's outdoor cafe.

"Maybe not all journalists are know-it-all and sensationalist, just unafraid and curious," Ms Brohed said.

"Maybe not all animal rights activists are angry and intolerant but intelligent and committed."

Mr Brohed says the nine "items" on loan were not hard to find but admits that they will be paid "a small sum" for their efforts.

If the experiment is a success, the Malmoe Library may repeat it later this year.

What's an imam? :huh:

i·mam also I·mam Audio pronunciation of "imam" ( P ) Pronunciation Key (-mäm)
n. Islam

1.
1. In law and theology, the caliph who is successor to Muhammad as the lawful temporal leader of the Islamic community.
2. The male prayer leader in a mosque.
3. The Muslim worshiper who leads the recitation of prayer when two or more worshipers are present.
2.
1. A male spiritual and temporal leader regarded by Shiites as a descendant of Muhammad divinely appointed to guide humans.
2. An earthly representative of the 12 such leaders recognized by the majority form of Shiism.
3. A ruler claiming descent from Muhammad and exercising authority in an Islamic state.
4.
1. Any one of the founders of the four schools of law and theology.
2. An authoritative scholar who founds a school of law or theology.
5. Used as a title for an imam.


[Arabic ’imm, leader, imam, from ’amma, to go before, lead. See mm in Semitic Roots.]

okie dokie. Thanks :)