Kraig Rieman thought all Muslim women covered themselves from head to foot.

The images the two La Salle High School seniors had of Islam were gleaned largely from television, they say.

With distrust of Muslims increased by the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, the Islamic Center of Greater Cincinnati has made community outreach and education a priority.

"The two most common misconceptions people have are the role and status of women, and that we are violent," said Shakila Ahmad, who voluntarily coordinates tours and talks for the center.

The Islamic faith, Ahmad said, was the first religion that offered women rights - to own property, seek a divorce, be guardians of children and even keep their own last names if they choose. Less than one-half of 1 percent of Muslim women worldwide wear the burka - or shroud - covering them from head to foot. Those who wear a hajab - scarf - do so for modesty, Ahmad said.

"Islam is a non-violent religion that respects peace," Ahmad said.

"There are only two circumstances we can fight - self protection or oppression. We must never be the aggressor."

After visiting the Islamic Center in the days before Ramadan, a month-long Islamic fast and time of reflection that begins Saturday, the La Salle students changed their thoughts.

"It definitely improved my opinion of the faith," said Betz, 17, of Cheviot. "It helped me understand more."

That, Ahmad said, has been a goal of the center since its November 1995 opening - explaining Islam, which has 1.2 billionfollowers worldwide (second only to Christianity) and 15,000 in Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky.

"We are trying to outreach in the community," said Sardar Ahmad Tanveer, principal of the International Academy of Cincinnati, an independent school that opened on center grounds three years ago.

The outreach has three major components - opening the mosque to tours for outside groups, offering speakers from the center to speak to groups, and holding educational programs.

Worshippers at the center also participate in charitable work - such as a food collection - as part of the Ramadan observance. The food drive benefits Reach Out Lakota and food banks throughout the region. Members also have collected money to support overseas orphanages, and participate in other philanthropic events in the region.

On average, 5,000 people tour the Islamic center annually, and the center gets 150 to 200 requests for speakers. Those numbers increased in 2002 after the 9/11 terrorist attacks, which has had its repercussions at the center and school.

Shortly after the attacks, Tanveer canceled classes for the remainder of that day and the next. West Chester police provided security at the center and school for several weeks. One person was arrested and charged with making a telephone threat.

Four of the then-new school's 20 students - all non-Muslims - left, Tanveer said. All 92 of this year's students are Muslims. The academy has been unsuccessful in its efforts to recruit children of other faiths.

Earlier this year, an Edgewood Middle School field trip to the Islamic Center was canceled when parents complained. "There was a wave of hate and ignorance after 9/11," Ahmad said. "There's not a day goes by that I don't think about it. I am more cautious."

About Ramadan

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Muslim calendar and begins Saturday this year. It is believed the Holy Koran was sent down from heaven during this month.

During Ramadan, Muslim teens and adults fast from sunup to sundown. At the end of the day the fast is broken with prayer and a meal called the Iftar. It is customary for Muslims to visit family and friends in the evening.

"It is a blessed month, a reflective month,'' said Shakila Ahmad, who coordinates tours and talks for the Islamic Center of Greater Cincinnati. "We focus on our blessings and share what we have with others.''

The center and the International Academy of Cincinnati, located at the center, will hold a food drive through the month. It ties with Zakat - charity - one of the five pillars of Islam.

Ramadan ends with Eid al-Fitr, the festival of the fast-breaking, the first of two major Muslim holidays. It is celebrated with communal prayers on the first day of the new month, Shawwal.

E-mail suek@infionline.net